British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Background Image
Image of British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus
Engineering
Architectural and Building Technology - Diploma
Architectural and Building Technology - Diploma

Architectural and Building Technology - Diploma

  • ID:BCIT10095
  • Level:2-Year Undergraduate Diploma
  • Duration:
  • Intake:

Fees (CAD)

Estimated Total/program:
Apply
60
Accept letter
100
Visa
20
Fly
1

Admission Requirements

Entry requirements

English requirements

  • IELTS

    • If your program requires: English 12, 73%, You need these scores on the IELTS: 7

    • If your program requires: English 12, 67%, You need these scores on the IELTS: 6.5

    • If your program requires: English 12, 50 %, You need these scores on the IELTS: 6.0

  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

    • If your program requires: English 12, 73%, You need these scores on the IELTS: 65

    • If your program requires: English 12, 67%, You need these scores on the IELTS: 60

    • If your program requires: English 12, 50 %, You need these scores on the IELTS: 52

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

    • If your program requires: English 12, 73%, You need these scores on the IELTS: 90

    • If your program requires: English 12, 67%, You need these scores on the IELTS: 86

    • If your program requires: English 12, 50 %, You need these scores on the IELTS: 82

Course Information

Rapid advances in technology have increased public expectations of their communities and the buildings constructed in them. Buildings are expected to be designed and constructed to rigorous standards of workmanship and safety while at the same time incorporating all the features that contribute to speed of erection, financial efficiency and user satisfaction.

High public expectations and the dynamic nature of the industry present both a challenge and an opportunity, attractive criteria for any career.

The Program

Architectural and Building Technology (ABT) is a comprehensive, two-year diploma program with a focus on applied learning. It combines sound theoretical knowledge with practical skills and technical training to provide job-ready competencies for immediate application upon entering the workforce. Students learn from industry-based faculty, develop extensive practical skills for rewarding careers, and graduate with an industry recognized credential in the design, development, construction, and building science sectors. Many employers seek out graduates from this program to join their companies.

Students follow a fixed curriculum of common courses that includes lectures and practical applications in construction drawing, materials and methods, estimating techniques, building systems, and computer applications. Organized field trips and ‘hands-on’ workshops form part of the curriculum and attendance is required. Students are often able to further their education through summer jobs with architects, engineers, developers, and contractors.

In the second year of the program, in addition to the common academic core, students take an Elective course (subject to departmental approval) in one of three areas of specialization. The Elective courses are:

Architectural:
Primarily intended for those students who plan to pursue careers in architectural offices, offer design services, pursue an architectural degree, or the Architectural Technologist Registration program through the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC).

Building Science:
Primarily intended for those students who plan to pursue careers in durable building construction, building problem diagnosis, testing of construction assemblies, new materials research and development, and environmental challenges in creating the built environment.

Economics / Construction Operations:
Primarily intended for those students who plan to pursue careers in construction, quantity surveying, estimating, property development, and project management.

The practicum course includes a brief industry-based work placement, which is required for diploma completion. Students may be required to participate in work experience activities at the industry sponsor’s regular place of business.

Note: At the end of the first year of study, students are given the opportunity to declare their first, second, and (by default) third choices for an Elective course based on their career interests. Every effort is made to assign students their preferred elective. However, in cases where demand is greater than available seats, priority will be given to full-time students who have no outstanding prerequisites at the end of year one, then full-time students that have made up missed courses over the summer, then part-time day students, and then returning students. Spaces will be awarded based on academic performance and Cumulative Grade Point Average. Final decisions are made by the department faculty.

More info: Click here

Program matrix

Level 1 (15 weeks)

  • BLDG 1000, Elements of Graphic Communication

  • BLDG 1050, Construction Materials/Processes 1

  • BLDG 1200, Building Construction 1

  • BLDG 1405, Architectural CAD 1

  • BLDG 1600, Structures 1 for Building

  • COMM 1140, Technical Communication 1 for Building

  • MATH 1401, Technical Mathematics for Architectural and Building Technology

  • PHYS 1140, Applied Physics for Building 1

Level 2 (20 weeks)

  • BLDG 2002, Site-Responsive Planning and Design

  • BLDG 2051, Construction Materials/Processes 2

  • BLDG 2150, Introduction to Economics for Building*

  • BLDG 2200, Building Construction 2

  • BLDG 2305, Construction Estimating 1

  • BLDG 2405, Architectural CAD 2*

  • BLDG 2600, Structures 2 for Building

  • COMM 2256, Technical Communication 2 for Building*

  • MATH 2403, Statistics for Building**

  • PHYS 2148, Applied Physics for Building 2*

  • * denotes a half-term course
    ** denotes a 17-week course

Level 3 (15 weeks)

  • BLDG 3200, Building Construction 3

  • BLDG 3251, Construction Contracts

  • BLDG 3305, Construction Estimating 2

  • BLDG 3450, Computer Applications for Building

  • BLDG 3800, Autodesk Revit

  • BLDG 4500, Codes and Regulations (Building Law in Canada)*

  • MSYS 3880, Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

and one of the following elective courses:

  • BLDG 3000, Architectural Technology 1

  • BLDG 3050, Economics - Construction Operations 1

  • BLDG 3100, Building Science 1

  • * denotes a 10-week course

Level 4 (20 weeks)

  • BLDG 3605, Structures 3 for Buildings

  • BLDG 4001, Industry Practicum*

  • BLDG 4200, Building Construction 4

  • BLDG 4250, Construction Specifications*

  • BLDG 4400, Computer Applications in Construction Management*

  • COMM 3256, Tech Communication 3 for Bldg*

  • ELEX 2811, Electrical Systems

  • MSYS 3980, Plumbing*

  • and

one of the following groups of electives: 
Architectural

  • BLDG 4000, Architectural Technology 2

  • BLDG 4405, Computer Graphics for Architecture*

Economics / Construction Operations

  • BLDG 4050, Economics - Construction Operations 2

  • BLDG 4305, Computer Based Estimating*

Building Science

  • BLDG 4100, Building Science 2

  • BLDG 4105, Computer Applications for Building Science*

  • * denotes a half-term course

Total Credits:, 136.0

See moreSee less

Pre Courses

No Course!
See moreSee less

Pathway Courses

No Course!
See moreSee less

Career Opportunity

Career Opportunity

Job Opportunities

Graduates of Architectural and Building
Technology perform many tasks of a technological nature as part of the interdisciplinary team of professionals and tradespeople involved in the building design, construction, and management processes. Graduates have the advantage of understanding buildings from several perspectives: the architectural and structural elements; the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems; the feasibility implications and the contractual and managerial processes.

Architectural and Building Technology graduates have the following attributes. They:

  • Possess up-to-date skills and knowledge

  • Possess good organizational and time management skills

  • Demonstrate good work attitudes

  • Are qualified to perform many technical and professional tasks

  • Are able to work independently or cooperatively on a team

  • Are prepared for the multi-tasking required in the performance of a complex job

Graduates may begin careers in some of the following areas of the industry:

  • Design and architectural firms

  • Building consulting

  • Project or construction management

  • Development or property management

  • Field engineering specialists

  • Specification writing

  • Inspections and testing

  • Estimating and quantity surveying

  • Building envelope consulting

  • Municipal planning and permitting departments

  • Provincial and federal agencies, including BC Housing Authority

  • Design-Build

  • Technical representatives for product suppliers and manufacturers

  • Specialty code consulting

  • Contractors and sub-contractors

  • Physical plants and facilities management departments for corporations and the educational and health sectors

Ability to settle

Overseas Student Health Cover

Insurance/year: 700 CAD

Same Courses

Close search