The Honours Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree provides the foundation of skills, knowledge, judgment and practical experience required for subsequent professional studies in architecture. Though the Academic Program is pre-professional, it is fully dedicated to imparting to students the culture and practice of design. Design is a synthetic activity. To do it well and serve the needs of the individual and society requires an extremely broad education. Students acquire an understanding of the workings of society and culture, of the principles of physics, of materials and techniques of construction, of the human interaction with the natural and built environment, of historical process, of critical thought and of the diverse forms of creative expression. In one of North America's top schools of architecture, youll get a broad education that covers everything from building materials and construction techniques to cultural history, social context, green architecture, and more. Not to mention you'll combine it all with paid co-op work experience. However, the core of pre-professional program is design courses, starting right in year one. Youll get your own dedicated space in our studio where youll develop your ideas and skills through a series of hands-on projects. Learn about society and culture, the principles of physics, materials and techniques of construction, human interaction with the natural and built environment, critical thought, and the diverse forms of creative expression. It all happens in a beautiful historic building in the city of Cambridge, about 30 kilometres south of the main Waterloo campus, complete with labs, exhibition galleries, and a world-class design library.<br><br>The visual and digital media sequence acts as a support for the design studio, introducing multiple methods of visualization that act as communicative, analytical and generative tools for architecture. These courses build aptitude and understanding in the use of architectural tools and techniques, from hand-drawing and drafting in two dimensions to advanced three-dimensional digital modeling, visualization and fabrication. At the upper levels of the curriculum and within elective coursework this focus area introduces a range of courses in traditional visual media as well as an expanded series of digital offerings in areas such as parametric design, rapid prototyping using CAD/CAM technologies, and interaction.