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Program Structure

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Architecture (Thesis) – 45 credits

Plan of Study 2025–2026

1st Term, Fall 2nd Term, Winter 3rd Term, Summer

ARCH 627 Research Methods 3 credits

ARCH 630 (J1) Research Symposium 1 credit

ARCH 694 Thesis Preparation 3 credits

Two complementaries* 6 credits

Sub-total: 13 credits

ARCH 630 (J2) Research Symposium 1 credit

ARCH 695 Thesis Proposal 6 credits

Two complementaries* 6 credits

Sub-total: 13 credits

ARCH 630 (J3) Research Symposium 1 credit

ARCH 696 Thesis Submission 18 credits

Sub-total: 19 credits

Students who do not complete their thesis during the residency period will need to register for "additional session".

The residency requirement for the MSc program is three terms of “full-time” status. During the residency period, students must register for all 26 graduate course credits and all 18 thesis research credits – total of 45 credits. Once the residency requirement is complete, the registration status changes to “additional session”. The maximum time permitted to complete the degree is 3 years. The time is measured from the date of first registration to the completion of a thesis.

Course Descriptions:


ARCH 627 offers a survey of research methods relevant to architecture. These include introduction to research ethics; differentiating between primary and secondary methods; contrasting macro- and micro-social approaches; setting research questions; undertaking literature scans; reviewing empirical findings by others; designing instruments and tools for primary research; conducting field research; presenting findings.

ARCH 630 (J1/J2/J3) is delivered over three terms (start of fall, end of winter, and start of summer). It provides milestones to buttress the final preparation of the thesis and nurtures a community of researchers through public presentation and discourse.

ARCH 694 is based on direct collaboration with the supervisor. During this course, the student defines the thesis proposition, scholarly frameworks, experiment design, research questions, and design-based explorations leading to a written thesis.

ARCH 695 focuses on the development of the thesis proposal and scholarly/experimental/design requirements to produce a written thesis. In this course students also work directly with the supervisor.

ARCH 696 is the final course of the program in which the students develop and submit their written thesis with the guidance of their supervisor. The Thesis is evaluated on a Pass / Fail basis and involves an external examination process.

* Complementary Courses (12 credits) selected from the following: ARCH 515 (3) Sustainable Design; ARCH 517 (3) Sustainable Residential Development; ARCH 604 (3) Urban Design Seminar; ARCH 626 (3) Critical Design Strategies; ARCH 635 (3) Selected Topics in Housing 1; ARCH 641 (3) Energy and Environment 1; ARCH 642 (3) Energy and Environment 2; ARCH 651 (3) Architectural History & Theory Seminar 1; ARCH 652 (3) Architectural History & Theory Seminar 2; ARCH 653 (3) Architectural History & Theory Seminar 3; ARCH 654 (3) Architectural History & Theory Seminar 4; ARCH 670 (3) Advanced Landscape Theory ARCH 675 (3); Architecture in Global Perspective ARCH 684 (3) Contemporary Theory 1; ARCH 685 (3) Contemporary Theory 2.

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