Masters in Architecture in Canada – Architecture is a field with no bounds. Most students choose to opt for masters in their area of interest. Many students choose streamlined courses as they’re oblivious of the diversity in options. Architecture is certainly evolving in accordance with the present circumstances and so is the list of options for post-graduation. New programs are being added to course catalogues of universities to meet the requirements of the current situation that our world is in. Sensitivity towards our environment has catalysed this change. As these programs are making it to the architectural ecosystem, it is necessary for every student to conduct detailed research on the options.
Canada possesses a high demand for architects and houses one of the topmost architecture schools. Here are 15 post-graduation options available for architecture students.
1. Architecture | Masters in Architecture in Canada
The Master of Architecture degree is an extension of the architectural knowledge base for students. It prepares its aspiring practitioners to enter the professional world. Critical thinking forms the core of this course. Introduction to the ethical, legal, administrative, and practical aspects of the real architectural world establishes a firm commitment towards architecture as a profession.
Balancing technological innovation with vernacular architecture helps students mitigate contemporary issues for the curation of a better future.
2. Architectural Studies
The Master in Architectural Studies program allows students to deeply indulge in matters of architectural concern which prepares them for their academic research. They promote the use of multidisciplinary and multimethod approaches to foster utmost creativity and innovation within theoretical and practical limits. It can serve as a prerequisite to enter the PhD in Architecture. Geographical, social, and political factors along with cross-cultural and professional forces give their research an intriguing assortment.
3. Advanced Studies in Architecture
It is a research degree wherein students work in independent design or research-based studies under specific research themes. This course is for those who intend to integrate their current architectural knowledge bank with progressive contemporary concepts. Focused research on the environment, the availability of adequate resources, and drawing insights from other disciplines of architecture help build a strong foundation.
This course will equip the students to address the local and global design problems, architectural practice, and research with a critical inquiry.
4. Architectural Theory and History
This course entails the amalgamation of ethics and poetry in architectural practice. By comprehending architecture as a cultural phenomenon, one gets familiar with its true essence in history. History helps one understand the former societies, cultures, and ideologies which inform present decisions so that past mistakes are not repeated.
Unravelling the complex nexus between history, design and theory helps one address the current predicaments effectively and pushes one to conduct thorough research and delve deeper into the totality of architecture right from the beginning.
5. Architectural Technology | Masters in Architecture in Canada
Architectural Technology Masters program teaches students to use state-of-the-art computer technologies to prepare designs, construction drawings, specifications, and reports required to communicate with clients, builders, and approval authorities. The sole focus is on computer-aided learning. They are taught to prepare drawings for commercial, institutional, complex, and mixed-use buildings.
Introduction to building materials, construction methods, structural design, mechanical and electrical services, building codes, contracts, specifications, and the business environment for providing design and construction is a part of the program.
6. Landscape Architecture
This course requires students to engage with design theories, environmental and land-use issues, and to use landscape construction technologies to tackle the emerging environmental issues. It aims to instil a sense of responsibility among its students towards their surroundings across all levels- urban, regional and global. Sustainability and design are the key focus areas and the crucial challenge is to resolve real-world problems using holistic design solutions.
Conceptual bases of environmental design, site technology, history and theory, and winter city design are a few of the topics covered by this course.
7. Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture
The Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture (MASLA) requires students to choose their research theme and work independently on research-based studies. This program is for those who are interested in amalgamating their existing knowledge in landscape architecture with contemporary concepts in the same field. The course structure is similar to the one adopted by the Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture. An immersive and focused research environment engages students.
The availability of vast resources enhances their research content and skills. Drawing insights from other disciplines and research themes will enable the generation of cohesive research. This program is suitable for those who have the capacity for independent research.
8. Environmental Design
The complex relationships between natural, built and social environments need to be acknowledged and addressed to pave the way for a sustainable future. This degree trains its students to hone the ability to understand complex spatial issues.
It extracts a series of themes from other disciplines: design explorations, participatory planning exercises, ethnography, surveys, statistics, laboratory science, fieldwork, and archival, visual, and textual studies. Research skills and critical thinking are largely embedded in this program.
9. Urban Studies
Master of Urban Studies involves an immersive study and analysis of cities, right from holistic studies to considering its intricacies. Social, economic, environmental, and political complexities are rectified to inch closer towards a sustainable global future. By striking a balance between academics and professional training, the students are taught to deal with urbanization using informed practice knowledge, techniques, and skillsets.
Students learn to engage with cities by seeing them, hearing them, smelling them, and feeling them. Depending on the insights they derive from the target city, they choose their role to play in its development and set a vision.
10. Urban and Regional Planning | Masters in Architecture in Canada
This field involves the development of urban and regional spaces in accordance with the social, economic, environmental, and political circumstances. Revamping abandoned spaces is a part of it. Land use planning and policy development are the major focus areas. Both local and international trends actively influence the insights and learnings that one can draw from this course. These planning decisions have an immense impact on community health and resilience.
Climate change and deeply rooted inequality are the most significant issues that need to be addressed. Exposure to diverse cultures, people, and places helps mold and rectify design decisions.
11. Urban Design
The practice of analyzing, designing, and managing evolving cities, communities, and towns is called urban design. Its scope extends from neighborhood blocks to regional districts. Urban design history and theory, economics, and public policies largely affect these design decisions. The knowledge gained about urban design and theories is further applied to bring about the required changes.
One of the major disputes worldwide is rapid urbanization which can be tackled using sustainable urban design techniques and this course particularly teaches one to devise effective strategies to combat the same.
12. Rural Planning and Development
The objective of Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development is to equip the students with the required knowledge and skills for interdisciplinary research in a professional capacity. They need to address and inform the rural issues by guiding the change in rural planning development spheres. Their planning decisions and implementation are backed by intensive research on specific rural contexts.
Planning theory, planning law, plan formation, implementation, project management, and evaluation are a few aspects of this course. These skills are developed and demonstrated through community-based course projects, case studies, and student research.
13. Interior Design | Masters in Architecture in Canada
Interior designers are known to please the eye and the mind. With the accelerating demand for efficient and eye-catching interior spaces, many aspiring professionals with an inherent passion for designing interior spaces for their users are choosing to do their masters in the same field. Besides, it pays well which draws more students to pick this course.
Universal access, cultural theory, design theory, design education, lighting, work environments, human comfort, and profession-based research are a few of the key areas covered.
14. Applied Science in Building Engineering/ Building Science
In this course, students will master the capability to independently conduct thorough research and publish, present, and defend the outcomes of the same. Advanced knowledge and skills will be imparted to them to ensure a comprehensive understanding of building performances. They’re taught how to enhance their research skills.
Conducting a literature survey, developing a research plan, writing a research proposal, undertaking innovative scientific research, and completing a comprehensive research thesis form a major part of the program.
15. Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering | Masters in Architecture in Canada
Naval architects are professional engineers who design, build and maintain ships, offshore structures, and other large floating systems. Ocean engineers design and build floating and underwater equipment, such as wave-measuring buoys, underwater vehicles, sonar systems, and supporting platforms.
Students get an opportunity to explore ocean engineering hydrostatics, marine construction management, fluid mechanics, marine hydrodynamics, marine structural analysis, submersible design, ocean systems design, advanced marine vehicles, and much more. This course unravels a multitude of probable career options for its undertakers.
References
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