Ready for September
Familiarize yourself with the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape before you arrive in the Fall
Congratulations!
Welcome to the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape!
Get ready to experience a uniquely different design school. Before you get started, there are a few steps and action items to complete. You can find resources and answers to frequently asked questions below. We are here to help, so please let us know if you have any questions.
We can't wait to meet you!
Program Advising
We’re here to help you navigate your way through your degree. To stay on track, we strongly recommend regularly checking the Academic Requirements and meeting with the Undergraduate Program Specialist to discuss:
- Course selection, program planning, and degree progression – how to choose classes to keep you moving through your degree efficiently, while completing the requirements, or how to choose courses to accommodate your other interests
- Changing or modifying programs
- Course withdrawals
- Extracurricular opportunities (e.g., Program for Undergraduate Research Experience, Scholars Academy, etc...)
- Academic review
- Graduation preparation
BDCI: Launchpad
Tuesday, September 3 to Monday, September 9, 2024
SAPL invites you to participate in BDCI: Launchpad, a one-week, SAPL scholar induction program aimed at building connections, fostering community and jumpstarting your collegiate careers. Taking place during the first week of class, the workshop-based program will introduce SAPL and University resources and provide an opportunity to meet your future instructors and fellow peers. Activities taking place during class time are mandatory. There is also an optional (but highly encouraged) City Game-A-Thon Challenge as part of the week’s itinerary.
New Student Orientation
A tradition 20 years strong, students learn about the academic, student life and wellness services that can help them transition into life at the University of Calgary. Learn more
International Student Orientation
The UCalgary International Student Services team welcomes new international students. Learn more
Writing Symbols Lodge
The University of Calgary welcomes, respects, and supports the rich diversity of Indigenous learners, their communities, cultural traditions, and aspirations in post-secondary education. Learn more
New Student Checklist
First Steps
Find the Academic Schedule in the current UCalgary Calendar. Here are important 2024 dates:
- Labour Day (University Closed) – Monday, September 2
- Fall Classes begin – Tuesday, September 3
- Fee payment deadline – Friday, September 20
- Fall Term Break – November 10–16
Please note that these dates are tentative and subject to change.
Students should set up a University of Calgary IT Account as soon as possible — it is needed to access your UCalgary email and the Student Accessibility Services' Clockwork Student Portal. More information
All students need a Unicard. You are eligible to receive one once you have registered for classes and have an eID. You will use your card to access the building and studio space, attend classes, and use the printing services on campus.
We will send newsletters, updates, and direct communications to your UCalgary email address only. All communication from you regarding your studies here must be from your UCalgary email. Auto-forwarding your UCalgary email is not possible. As a friendly reminder, please include your UCID in any emails, so we can easily access student files needed to respond.
Living in residence connects you to the campus community. To apply, you can register or log in to the Resident Portal and complete the form. You can also access off-campus housing information from UCalgary’s Students’ Union.
The Student Success Centre is your go-to spot for academic support, including study strategies, note-taking, exam prep, and more. Check out the Student Success Centre’s seminars to enhance your study skills.
Familiarize yourself with the UCalgary IT Services available to you as a new student.
You can use this tool to find your classes and direct you around campus. Please visit us in SAPL’s main office if you have questions.
Safety and Privacy
The UCSafety App app delivers alerts and updates that can save lives and prevent injury. The app helps to foster a safe and healthy living and learning environment.
Details to follow
UCalgary and SAPL Community
Join clubs to build your community and explore your passion with other like-minded students. Connecting to the UCalgary Students Union Club Hub is a great way to get started.
Design Matters is a thought-provoking lecture series that brings to Calgary a range of designers, innovators, and thought leaders exploring the edge of design and city building. Register for upcoming events
Stay connected with everything that’s happening on campus and start developing skills. Opportunities are available through the Peer Helper Program and the Students’ Union. Our SAPL student volunteers make our School a vibrant and lively environment! They have contributed as photographers, writers, designers, and event, podcast, gallery and social media crews! If you are interested in volunteering with SAPL, please contact us.
Course Registration
Please connect with New Student Registration Assistance (NSRA) for general registration support, answers to questions, and a walk-through of the enrolment process.
The following videos provide an overview of registration:
Course Registration
Registration Terminology
Still have questions? Join a virtual group advising session: Q&A group advising sessions led by the Undergraduate Program Specialist to provide additional support.
Learn about UCalgary's Parking and Transportation services for students:
Supplies and Technology
You can find out more about technology requirements on the University of Calgary's eLearn site. Please note that required technologies may vary per course, and/or may be used in different ways. Learn more about SAPL-specific Laptop and Software Recommendations and Software in the BDCI Program: Compatibility with Mac vs. PC
Your instructor may request that you use Zoom to join a lecture, have a meeting, or participate in an event. Familiarize yourself with Zoom here.
D2L is the online learning management system used by the University of Calgary. All courses (lecture & seminar sections) automatically have sites created in D2L. Learn more
Please refer to the SAPL Plotter Information for instructions.
- Only 2 types of paper will be available for printing (Bond 36 and Photo 36)
- The computer might go to sleep and then require a password to sign in. The computer can be rebooted. On a fresh reboot, it will automatically sign in and start up the release station software. Should take about 2-3 minutes to complete that.
- If something is not working, IT is able to support the plotters, visit www.ucalgary.ca/it and click something is broken.
- IT is NOT supporting is paper loading and ink changes; SAPL can assist with these requests
If you wish to print on any other types of paper, please go to a vendor of your choice. We have secured a student discount of 25% off with Print Three as an available option.
Looking to optimize your prints? Check out this tips and tricks video by Ismail El Aboudi.
About YYC
Calgary is one of Canada’s most enterprising cities. The city offers opportunity, adventure and incredible education. It is about one hour away from the Rocky Mountains.
Some unique features include:
- The Calgary Stampede
- Calgary Tower
- Calgary Central Library
- National Music Centre
- WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park (skiing in the heart of the city!)
You can find something special for every interest! Our neighbouring Banff National Park, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Kananaskis Country and Lake Louise offer stunning views, heritage experiences and adventure opportunities right in our backyard!
This map of the SAPL building's second floor on main campus will help direct you if you haven't been there yet. The administrative offices are outlined to help you find us if you have any questions!
A gift from SAPL students to you! They have curated this unique Calgary list to ensure that you have everything you need to get started in the city. They've tagged their favourite places to buy supplies, coffee shops, grocery stores, and cool locations to check out.
International Students
Learn more about study permits, the University, and life in Canada through ISS. They host events, have resources, lead programs, and provide advising. Find additional support and information from:
City Building Design Lab
The CBDLab drives innovation and increases research capacity for UCalgary, SAPL, and surrounding area. We generate new research through industry partnerships and municipal engagements, student design studios and the on-site digital fabrication lab. CBDLab is an incubator for strategic research activity and a host for exhibitions to garner feedback and spark discussion. The CBDLab is a gathering place for leading designers and thinkers from around the world to share knowledge and collaborate with our communities.
State-of-the-Art Workshop
Our workshop is a 11,000-square-foot centre for making, dedicated to our architecture, planning and landscape architecture students, and a resource for other students on campus. An additional 1800-square-feet of prototype and digital lab provides space for exploration in design builds and digital fabrication. Machinery and tools available include leading-edge laser cutters, CNC routers, robotic fabrication arms, 3D pens and 3D printers, wood shop, plastic and metal shops, spray booth and sandblasting equipment.
Computer Lab
The Computer Applications Laboratory provides access to advanced software: computer-aided design programs, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), multimedia and interface design, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) and environmental systems simulations; a high-resolution 11x17 scanner, large-format plotters and a high-speed render farm. Specific software used include Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Rhino 6, and Autodesk (AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Maya and Revit).
Galleries
The galleries offer an active rotation of exhibitions, and provide design enthusiasts a place to explore research, investigations and visions of the future of places. Guest artists and design exhibitions include partners such as d.talks, alumni, and community groups.
Spatial & Numeric Data Services
Providing access to cartographic materials, GIS and statistical data and software. We can assist with finding resources both within and outside our collection.
Canadian Architectural Archives
The Canadian Architectural Archives (CAA) collects, describes and makes available the documentation of individual architects, architectural firms, and architectural projects of national significance with a focus on western Canada.
Health and Wellness Resources
Student Wellness Services
UCalgary students can access affordable health and wellness services through the Student Wellness Services. Mental Health support is available to you for free. This amazing team of counsellors provides personalized assistance to help - whether it’s one-on-one counselling, group counselling, or recommending a workshop or webinar.
Online Self-Help Resources
Access free online self-help resources to learn new coping skills and strategies to make positive changes towards resiliency, mental health, and overall well-being.
Student Success Centre
The Student Success Centre provides services and programs to ensure you make the most of your time at university. Their advisors, learning support staff, and writing support staff will help you enhance your skills and achieve your academic goals.
Your Active Living Membership
Your Active Living membership provides you with access to UCalgary’s world-class facilities. Check the Active Living website for membership and facility updates.
Student Accessibility Services
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) offers services to all UCalgary students with documented disabilities ranging from learning deficits, learning disabilities, chronic health issues, hearing and visual impairments, and temporary impairments due to accident, illness, or injury. If you are a student with a documented disability who may require academic accommodation, please contact SAS.
For more ways to get involved and maintain school-life balance, check-out these campus resources.