Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
AETE 1021 - Architecture I
This course provides first-year students with the core skills required for architectural communication. The focus on drafting fundamentals and drawing coordination builds the technical foundation necessary for subsequent documentation courses. Producing a coordinated set of working drawings for a single-family residence allows students to apply these principles in a practical, industry-aligned format.
AETE 1024 - Drawing Production
This course introduces foundational skills and standards required for architectural drawing and communication. The course includes standards for drawing techniques, including orthographic and isometric sketching, and the principles of scaled representation. The course also focuses on industry-standard architectural documentation, exploring drawing conventions, symbology, annotation practices, and the development of coordinated drawing packages.
AETE 1026 - Engineering Mechanics and Statics
Students explore the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics with a focus on vectors, statics, and force systems. The course covers topics such as vector operations, equilibrium, axial loading, truss analysis, and shear force and bending moment calculations. Students apply mathematical and analytical methods to solve structural problems commonly encountered in engineering and construction. This course aligns with industry standards to prepare students for advanced engineering design studies.
AETE 1028 - Mathematics I
Students build a strong foundation in the mathematical principles used to solve technical problems, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, vectors, and systems of equations. The course introduces operations with exponents, radicals, fractions, units, logarithms, and scientific notation, along with methods for solving quadratic, exponential, and trigonometric applications. Students apply these skills to technical scenarios by working with right and oblique triangles, vector components, linear systems, and equations involving ratio, proportion, and variation. This training supports the mathematical competencies required for success in technical and applied fields.
AETE 1032 - Building Science I
This course introduces the principles of building science as they apply to light wood-frame construction. Emphasis is placed on understanding how buildings perform as integrated systems, with careful attention to energy efficiency, moisture management, thermal performance, and durability. Students will examine how materials, assemblies, and detailing choices influence overall building performance and occupant comfort and explore key residential construction components including foundations, framing systems, building envelopes, insulation and air barriers, vapour control, roofing systems, and interior/exterior finishes. The course will highlight best practices for detailing to reduce building failures, improve resilience, and support sustainable design.
AETE 1033 - Building Science II
This course builds on foundational building science principles with a deeper exploration of how building enclosures perform as integrated systems. Topics include the behaviour of heat, air, and moisture in more advanced assemblies with an emphasis on identifying performance issues and designing durable and efficient solutions.
AETE 1036 - Mechanics of Materials
Students learn the principles of material mechanics and structural analysis, focusing on properties of sections and load behavior. The course covers concepts such as center of gravity, centroid, moment of inertia, section modulus, polar moment of inertia, and radius of gyration for various shapes and composite bodies. Students also calculate simple and flexural stresses, strains, and deformations in wood, steel, and concrete, applying Hooke’s Law and related material properties. The course aligns with the National Building Code of Canada for determining building loads and load transfer within structural systems.
AETE 1040 - Surveying and Civil Drawings
Students learn the fundamental skills of construction surveying by using measuring tapes, automatic levels, and rods to collect accurate field data in both imperial and metric units. The course covers setting up and testing surveying instruments, determining elevations, producing contour plans, profiles, and cross-sections, and performing calculations based on real-world site conditions. Students also complete closed loop surveys and closed angle traverses, record field notes to industry standards, and adjust survey data to meet geometric and accuracy requirements. This training reflects current surveying practices used in construction planning, site assessment, and field documentation.
AETE 3014 - Architecture II
This course deals with the initial stages of planning and designing a small commercial building using standard presentation methods for the production of the working drawings. It will cover material related to the use of part 3 of the National Building Code, in the preparation of working drawings for a small commercial building design.
AETE 3017 - Architecture III
This course deals with the continuation of a commercial design project. Topics covered will include detailed drawing requirements for a typical set of commercial construction documents. Drawing standards and Information enabling the completion of the drawings for the commercial design project started in the previous semester. These requirements may include assessment of existing structures with respect to renovation challenges. Work will include a combination of individual and group work.
AETE 3100 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the learner with an opportunity to apply new skills and concepts appropriate for entry-level positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal.
BIMT 1010 - Building Modelling Software I
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of Building Information Modeling (BIM) using industry-standard software. Students learn to create and modify basic building components such as walls, floors, roofs, doors, and windows, and work with software tools and commands. The course covers developing 3D components with dynamic data and creating elements that can be viewed in both 2D and 3D perspectives. Content aligns with current practices and standards in architectural design and construction technology.
BIMT 1020 - Building Modelling Software II
This course introduces students to advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) techniques for residential and commercial design. Students apply BIM tools and commands to create and modify 2D and 3D models, including foundations, floors, walls, doors, windows, and roofs. The course also covers modeling detail lines, views, legends, schedules, annotations, and grids to meet industry expectations. Content aligns with current architectural and construction standards for design documentation and modeling practices.
BIMT 3010 - Building Modelling Software II
This course continues the basics of using building information modelling software. Students continue with the concepts of Building Information Modelling and the tools for parametric building design and documentation.
BIMT 3020 - Building Modelling Software III
This course continues the exploration of building information modelling as it relates to structure and site massing studies, space planning and analysis, visualization concepts such as rendering, solar studies and walkthroughs.
CADD 1010 - Computer Aided Drafting I
Students learn the foundational tools and workflows of computer-aided drafting to create accurate 2D drawings using industry-standard software. The course introduces methods for constructing and editing geometry, applying precision tools, and organizing drawing information through layers, blocks, properties, and templates. Students also prepare professional-quality drawings by adding annotation, managing layouts and viewports, and configuring plot settings to industry standards. This training supports the development of clear, accurate, and well-formatted digital drawings used across architectural, engineering, and construction fields.
CADD 1020 - Computer Aided Drafting II
Students learn to create professional residential construction drawings using computer-aided drafting software that meets industry standards and course guidelines. The course covers the development and revision of Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) drawings, the creation of reusable content such as templates, layers, annotation styles, and dynamic blocks, and the organization of architectural information for efficient workflow. Students also learn to publish drawings electronically by preparing layouts, using sheet set tools, and producing multi-page PDFs. This training aligns with industry expectations for accurate, well-organized, and digitally delivered architectural documentation.
COMM 1245 - Technical Communications I
This course introduces students to the writing, oral presentation, critical thinking and interpersonal communications skills required of technical professionals in the workplace. The fundamentals of clear, concise writing and presenting will be reviewed and refined. Experience will be gained in organizing, writing and presenting technical information. In addition, career development skills and portfolio preparation will be discussed. There will be several opportunities, through assignments and lab work, to develop portfolio components. Students will learn how to collect appropriate work samples and documentation from other courses in the program as well as from other sources.
COMM 2245 - Technical Communications II
This course focuses on the interpersonal, written and oral technical communication skills necessary for working independently and as part of a team in a technical environment. Further skill development in written forms of technical documentation required for the workplace as well as report creation and oral presentation skills will continue to be emphasized. Team building principles, group dynamics and collaborative writing will be discussed. Students will participate in meetings and take responsibilities in a group project from its inception to completion and evaluation. Students will continue to enhance and apply their research skills and project management principles will also be introduced. Successful job interviews and the portfolio will be discussed.
ENGI 1002 - Structural Design I
This course teaches typical layouts, loadings and material properties associated with structural systems. Basic structural design principles are introduced in the areas of structural steel, reinforced concrete and timber.
ENGI 1005 - Structural Design II
This course continues focuses on typical layouts and design associated with structural systems. Topics include structural steel, reinforced concrete and timber design and preparation of structural design and drawings for a two-storey commercial building.
SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.
SAFE 1019 - Safety and Sustainability Basics
This course provides an overview of your rights and responsibilities as a student, as well as those in the workplace under the NS Occupational Health and Safety Act. Topics such as duties and precautions, accident reporting, as well as personal and campus safety and sustainability initiatives will be explored.
SAFE 1020 - Safety Basics – Restricted Spaces
The learner is introduced to the basic requirements and procedures involved with working in restricted spaces. The definition and potential hazards of restricted spaces are discussed The course material is infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1021 - Safety Basics – Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1022 - Safety Basics – Working at Heights
The student is introduced to hazards and responsibilities concerned with working at heights in the workplace. Guardrails, travel restraints, roof work, fall arrest components will be discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1023 - Safety Basics – Lock-out Tag Out
Lock-out Tag Out introduces students to the hazards related to energized systems and procedures to ensure worker safety. Related legislation and risk management is discussed and the student is exposed to the various types of lock-out devices. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1024 - Safety Basics – Respiratory Protection
This course introduces students to the potential of atmospheric hazards in the workplace and the available personal protection and control methods to maintain a safe work environment. Discussion topics include identification and testing for atmospheric hazards and workplace respiratory programs. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
