The professional Master of Architecture is a rigorous and comprehensive program, preparing graduates for the full range of activities in architecture. It provides a thorough base of knowledge in history, theory, technology, ecology, society, and professional practice, while developing skills in design through an intensive sequence of design studio courses. There are six streams: Design (7 courses), Computer Modelling (1 course), Visual Communication (2 courses), History & Theory (3 courses), Technics & Planning (7 courses), and Professional Practice (1 course). Studios are supported by courses in visual communication and architectural representation, including computer modelling and other new media. The program aims to develop critical, creative, and independent thinking and research that responds to current design issues and societal changes. The greater Toronto region is used as an urban laboratory for the pursuit of new knowledge and new forms of practice.
The Daniels Faculty also offers a Master of Architecture Second-Year Advanced-Standing Option (2 years). The Advanced-Standing Option is offered to applicants who demonstrate advanced capabilities, as determined through review of academic background and design porfolio. Advanced-Standing students join the curriculum outlined below at the beginning of the second year of study.
Both the MArch and the Advanced-Standing Option are intended for those who do not already hold a professional degree in architecture. Individuals already holding a professional degree are encouraged to consider the post-professional Master of Architecture option or the Master of Urban Design program.
More information on admissions for both the Master of Architecture and the Advanced Standing program is available on our Graduate Admissions webpage.
Design, Visual Communication, and Computer Modelling (5.0 credits)
The required design studio curriculum is organized as a series of semester-core units in a five-stage sequence.
[1] Two foundational studios in the first year of the program, complemented by two courses in visual communication.
[2] An exploration of the relationship between architecture and the complex conditions of metropolitan culture in the third studio, held during fall term of the second year. A concurrent course provides a comprehensive overview of 2D and 4D computer modelling for architectural design.
[3] A foundation in project work in the fourth studio, held during the winter term of the second year. This includes a comprehensive building project that addresses the design of a complex building
[4] One option studio, offering a choice of subject, scale, method, and studio instructor, along with one thesis and research preparation course.
[5] The design thesis studio will be undertaken in the final term. Students in the design thesis studio work independently under the supervision of an assigned faculty advisor.
History and Theory (1.5 credits)
A three-semester sequence of required courses, the final of which will introduce students to research methodologies in advance of thesis work.
Technics and Planning (3.5 credits)
The required technical curriculum includes an introduction to the technical conditions and ecological contexts of architectural production in the first term, followed by two courses in building science, a course on site engineering and ecology, and a course on environmental systems.
Professional Practice (1.0 credit)
There is one course in architectural practice, management and economics, offered in the final term.
Electives (2.0 credits)
The elective component of the program provides an essential academic and cultural complement to the core professional curriculum. Within the elective requirements, 0.5 credit must be in the History and Theory stream. Students are encouraged to use their electives to develop a focused concentration that will inform their design thesis, entail linkage with other disciplines, and lead to professional expertise and postgraduate studies.
Term 1
ARC 1021H: Visual Communications 1 (August Intensive*)
ARC 1011Y: Architectural Design Studio 1
ARC 1022H: Visual Communications 2
ARC 1031H: Historical Perspectives on Topics in Architecture 1
ARC 1041H: Architecture in its Technological-Ecological Context
Term 2
ARC 1012Y: Architectural Design Studio 2
ARC 1032H: Historical Perspectives on Topics in Architecture 2
ARC 2043H: Building Science, Materials, and Construction 1
ARC 2044H: Structures 1
Term 3
ARC 1042H: Site Engineering and Ecology (August Intensive*)
ARC 2013Y: Architectural Design Studio 3
ARC 2023H: Intermediate Computer Applications
ARC 2047H: Environmental Systems
ARC 20XXH: Research Methods
Term 4
ARC 2014Y: Architectural Design Studio 4
ARC 2046H: Structures 2
ARC 2045H: Building Science, Materials, and Construction 2
Elective
Term 5
ARC 3015Y: Architectural Design Studio 5
ARC 3017H: Thesis Research and Preparation
Elective
Elective
Term 6
ARC 3052Y: Professional Practice
ARC 4018Y: Architectural Design Studio 7: Thesis
Elective
*August Intensives
ARC 1021H Visual Communication 1 and ARC 1042H Site Engineering and Ecology will be offered as two-week intensives in the last week of August and first week of September, receiving final assessment in September.
The curriculum for the first three semesters is comprised only of required courses. The courses will be automatically entered through the ACORN system. Elective requirements will begin in Year 2. Four courses are required for graduation. Of the four, one must be in the History & Theory stream.
Elective requirements:
Year 2: 1 course in the Winter Term
Year 3: 2 courses in the Fall Term and 1 course in the Winter Term
The first two digits in the four-digit course number indicate the general course level. The third digit identifies a course topic stream as follows:
1 Design
2 Visual Communication and Computer Applications
3 History and Theory
4 Environment, Technology, Technics and Planning
5 Professional Practice
The last digit indicates the position of the course in a year-long or multi-year course sequence.
Full credit courses are designated 'Y'. Half credit courses are designated 'H'.
In Canada, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the sole agency authorized by the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) to accredit Canadian professional degree programs in architecture for the purposes of architectural licensure.
2019, the Daniels professional program (Master of Architecture) was reviewed by the CACB and granted a six-year term of accreditation. Our professional Master of Architecture program will undergo its next full accreditation review in 2025.
