Building Science and Architecture

The OAA Admission Course is a mandatory requirement for licensure for all Intern Architects and Licensed Technologist OAA in Ontario.

The OAA Admission Course covers topics related to regulatory matters, legal issues, practice issues and information specific to Ontario and is designed to supplement the applicant's formal professional education and practical experience.

Quizzes

In the course you will be asked to complete a series of Confidence Quizzes, which contain a set of 20 multiple choice questions each. This quiz functions differently than traditional quizzing, as they allow you to retake any question you are unsure about the answer and/or select an incorrect answer, and you may retake them as much as you'd like to. Successful course completion involves receiving a score of 100% on each quiz which is based solely on the core module content. 

For Architects. The OAA Admission Course qualifies for 27 structured learning hours under the OAA Continuing Education Program. Architects must complete module quizzes to earn structured learning hours. To claim CE Credit hours architects should either consent to have their information shared with OAA at the time of registration OR submit a copy of their Grade Report to OAA. Grade Report documentation is usually available within 4-6 weeks after the course end date. Once grades are available, students will be informed by email, and given instructions on how to access grades. Architects with incomplete grades, who do not plan to complete the course, should contact learn@utoronto.ca for information on how to obtain module level documentation. 

Module 01AC Professional Responsibility, Ethics and Membership in a Self-Regulating Profession (CE Credit Hours = 3)
Module 02AC The Construction Act (CE Credit Hours = 3)
Module 03AC Legal Aspects: Professional Liability and Architects Contracts (CE Credit Hours = 3)
Module 04AC Planning and Development Approvals (CE Credit Hours = 3)
Module 05AC Ontario Building Code Act and Building Permit Application Process (CE Credit Hours = 3)
Module 06AC Ontario Building Code Compliance Data: Concepts and Code Analysis (CE Credit Hours = 6)
Module 07AC Bid Theory and Bid Practice (CE Credit Hours = 3)
Module 08AC Construction Contract Administration and General Review (CE Credit Hours = 3)

As our climate changes and future energy sources remain uncertain, we must know how to improve building performance for greater energy efficiency. This foundational course deals with indoor and outdoor climates and the thermal envelope that separates them. You'll learn the physics of heat and moisture transfer, how they interact and the function of thermal envelopes. The course will apply this knowledge to new construction and to modifications of existing designs.  

The course material covers part of the Examination Learning Objectives of the Building Science Theory Exam conducted by Building Science Specialist Board of Canada (BSSB) for the Building Science Specialist (BSS^®) designation.

If you've completed SCS 3552 and want to deepen your understanding, this course will teach you how moisture moves in and around buildings. Learn to manage the impact of rain and moist air movement within building materials and how this interacts with solar heating. Life-cycle costing will be examined, along with principles of building science for cold and hot climates. You'll get real-life examples of responsible building practices to help you design and build tomorrow's building.

The course material covers part of the Examination Learning Objectives of the Building Science Theory Exam conducted by Building Science Specialist Board of Canada (BSSB) for the Building Science Specialist (BSS^®) designation.

This course deals with the interrelationship of building envelopes and environmental control with an emphasis on sustainable building practices. The course will examine thermal comfort and indoor air quality, heating, cooling and moisture regulation, air distribution and pressure regimes, energy usage, solar and internal gains, natural and hybrid ventilation, and heating and cooling loads. More responsible building practices are identified and illustrated throughout.  

The course material covers the Examination Learning Objectives of the Mechanical Systems Exam conducted by Building Science Specialist Board of Canada (BSSB) for Building Science Specialist (BSS®) designation.

This course explores the materials used to construct and repair a building envelope. We will begin with an introduction to material properties. We will then examine a variety of fibrous and rigid thermal-insulation products, their properties and their uses, and then analyze air barriers and air-sealing materials used in new and retrofit construction. Units on masonry construction, and concrete slab construction and repair methods will follow. Lastly, we will examine the importance of the compatibility of materials. Illustrative case studies will be used throughout the course.

The course material covers the Examination Learning Objectives of the Material Systems Exam conducted by Building Science Specialist Board of Canada (BSSB) for Building Science Specialist (BSS®) designation.

This course explores the issues and responsibilities that need to be addressed during the construction phase of a building project. Construction Contract Administration (CCA) is crucial to getting a project built. In this module, participants learn about the key parties in a construction project and their related responsibilities. You will become familiar with construction contracts and the rules of the game, including methods of project delivery and agreements between various parties. Also covered are the recommended practices and procedures for administering the construction contract from project inception, through the construction phase and finally, post-construction.

This is an online, self-directed course, and you can work through the modules at your own pace. You can expect to complete the course in a month, but have up to two months to complete it.

Quizzes

In the course you will be asked to complete a Confidence Quiz, which contain a set of 20 multiple choice questions. This quiz functions differently than traditional quizzing, as they allow you to retake any question you are unsure about the answer and/or select an incorrect answer, and you may retake them as much as you'd like to. Successful course completion involves receiving a score of 100% on the quiz which is based solely on core module content. 

Notes:

The OAA Self-Study Series for Architects comprises training modules drawn from the mandatory OAA Admission Course each intern architect must complete as part of the licensing process. This material, while not new to those have completed the Admission Course, is valuable to practising architects and related audiences. OAA members can select the modules in which they’re interested, cover the material at their own pace (over a three-month period) and successfully complete a quiz to complete the course.

Grade Report documentation is usually available 4 - 6 weeks after you have successfully completed the course. Once your grade is available, you will be informed by email, and given instructions on how to access your grade. Please use this documentation to claim Continuing Education hours with OAA.

Whether you are an architect or architectural technologist wanting to review some foundational material, someone from outside of the province planning to work in Ontario for the first time, or an architectural practice staff member, participants benefit from the essential material covered in these à la carte courses.

The self-study modules and correlating OAA continuing education hours are:

• Professional Responsibility, Ethics, and Membership in a Self-Regulating Profession (CE Credit Hours = 3.0);
• The Construction Act (CE Credit Hours = 3.0);
• Legal Aspects: Professional Liability and Architects’ Contracts (CE Credit Hours = 3);
• Planning and Development Approvals (CE Credit Hours = 3);
• Ontario Building Code Act and Building Permit Application Process (CE Credit Hours = 3);
• Ontario Building Code Compliance Data: Concepts and Code Analysis (CE Credit Hours = 6);
• Bid Theory and Bid Practice (CE Credit Hours = 3); and
• Construction Contract Administration and General Review (CE Credit Hours = 3).

For intern architects, please note that taking the Self-Study Series for Architects does not count toward completion of the Admission Course. For more information on the Admission Course, click here.