RAIC Syllabus Renewal - Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

The Royal
Architectural Institute
of Canada
SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
This communiqué is to provide an update on the
Syllabus renewal process to Syllabus Students,
current Syllabus Faculty, the Canadian architectural
licensing authorities, the Canadian Architectural
Certification Board (CACB), and all members of the
architecture profession.
RAIC Syllabus
Renewal
RAIC Syllabus Mission Statement
To provide an inclusive and accessible professional architectural
education according to rigorous standards of excellence that lead to
Canadian professional certification.
The bilingual program is to be made available nationally according
to a financially sustainable model, through varied study opportunities
exploiting available technologies and managed work experience.

RAIC Syllabus Renewal
Facts:
1. The current RAIC Syllabus Program with its head office in Vancouver is operating and registering
new students. This Program will continue to operate until all students have transitioned to
Athabasca University, likely until the spring 2010.
2. Athabasca University has committed to have the entire program available by the Fall of 2010.
Certain courses, that is, electives and general arts courses are already available through
Athabasca University.
3. This Fall a search will be underway for a full-time Director for the RAIC Centre for Architecture
at Athabasca University as well as a full-time Associate Professor, Editor, Instructional Media
Analyst and administrative support staff.
Stay tuned to the RAIC website for details on these positions.
4. The RAIC, in consultation with Athabasca University, has already engaged an independent
architect as a consultant to develop two new professional practice courses to be delivered through
Athabasca University. These courses will become part of the Graduate Diploma program and
will also fulfill a need for referrals from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) for
candidates from abroad who need to take courses on architectural practice in Canada. Further
course development will take place this Fall.
Refer to future RAIC electronic Bulletins for additional information.
5. Establishing a new program at any university is a complex process involving many approvals.
This summer academic approvals at Athabasca University, including Academic Council have been
completed. Following approval from Athabasca University’s Governing Council, approval will be
sought from Alberta Quality Council and the Government of Alberta; however, this final approval
does not prevent Athabasca University from assigning resources and proceeding with establishing
the Architecture courses at Athabasca University.
6. The RAIC is working with Athabasca University on a long-term agreement to ensure the interests
of the architecture profession are served by this new program.
7. The Transition Phase will be carefully monitored to ensure smooth transfer of the existing
program.
New Program
Three new proposed programs are planned:
i) A Bachelor of Science (Architecture)
B.Sc. (Architecture)
ii) A Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science Program (Architecture) –
for those with community college diplomas and a second degree option for those with
baccalaureate degrees other than in architecture
B.Sc. (Architecture)
iii)
A Graduate Diploma in Architecture
G.Dipl. Architecture
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RAIC Syllabus Renewal
Transition
Registration
Students presently registered in the RAIC Syllabus program will continue their present study path but will be
required to register with Athabasca University. No date has yet been established for such registration. Courses
presently offered by the RAIC Syllabus program will eventually be available with Athabasca University.
Transcripts will be assessed through Athabasca’s Office of the Registrar.
Specific information regarding registration with Athabasca University, including registration deadlines,
procedures and policies will be forwarded to all existing Syllabus students.
Design Studio
This program will maintain the design studio in its historical
role as the most important part of architectural education.
It is also critical to architectural education that topics
offered in the non-studio study streams are synthesized
and applied in the various studio project assignments.
Studio outcomes will verify an individual’s understanding
or ability in topics offered in parallel academic courses.
This is especially true in building science and theory. The
studio sequence thus becomes the primary reference
in organizing the sequence of the curriculum for other
subjects.
Teaching Office
ABCP architecture + urbanisme office | architect: François Moreau | photo: Paul Dionne
The type of employment situation which would qualify as a Teaching Office should align with the requirements
of the internship in architecture program. An Athabasca University staff member will help those students coordinate
their professional work study experience through a teaching office and assist in obtaining a professional
advisor.
Students will be required to maintain a portfolio of studio work and work from their professional work places.
New communications technologies will be incorporated for Design Studios within the renewed program.
Employment will be required in a teaching office likely after three semesters or one year. This requirement
may be relaxed for those students who intend to only pursue the B.Sc. (Architecture) and will not continue on
to obtain a professional diploma/degree.
Each student will also be required to have a Professional Advisor – a Professional Advisor would normally be
a principal or associate from the architectural practice who would sign an agreement with AU and who would
be accountable to ensure the required support for the student within the office.
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Feedback and Suggestions
Please e-mail the RAIC at info@raic.org.
Be sure to type Syllabus Renewal in the subject line.
The Royal
Architectural Institute
of Canada