THE THREE PRIMARY AREAS OF STUDY ARE: 

 Research and Documentation 

• Conservation theory - a cultural landscape approach to understanding and transforming historic places

• Historic research methods - oral and documentary research, identifying social value, sources

• Archaeological research - theoretical and legislative framework, field work, analysis 

• Architectural history - high style and vernacular architecture, traditions, technologies, styles 

• Landscape history – urban and rural landscapes, research and documentation, garden history

• Cultural practice  - aboriginal perspectives, tangible and intangible heritage, ecological awareness

• Documentation - measured drawings, hand-drawing, AutoCAD, architectural photography, interpretive recording

• Field investigations - condition analysis, identifying and dating, reporting 

Planning and Project Management 

• Historic structures report - compiling research and documentation findings 

• Cultural landscape studies – heritage districts, complex sites, cognitive mapping, artifact and ritual

• Statements of significance - identifying historical, physical and social value, tangible and intangible components, designation options

• Conservation plan - preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, contemporary design interventions

• Business models - real estate practice, the restoration economy 

• Legal and zoning issues - heritage legislation, building codes, zoning bylaws 

• Energy systems - traditional and alternative theory and practice, sustainable design, theoretical and empirical models

• Project and construction management – coordination of specialized materials and skills, interdisciplinary approaches, design-build.

Craft and Design Skills 

• Stone and mortar - basic geology, quarrying, stone dressing and coursing, stone carving, lime mortars, conservation techniques

• Brick, terra cotta – history, physical and chemical properties, traditional practice, repair, conservation

• Concrete – mass and reinforced concrete, precast, traditional and contemporary practice, patterns of decay, conservation

• Plasters - materials, applications, plain and decorative plaster, cast plaster, conservation, replication 

• Wood - species, milling, traditional and alternative tools, carpentry, joinery, doors, windows, repair 

• Metals - forge practice, ironwork, sheet metal work, metal repair 

• Glass - leaded and stained glass windows, glass replacement, repair and restoration 

• Fittings - hardware, traditional and contemporary lighting 

• Design – setting parameters, continuity and creativity, design as a material-based and site-based activity, drawing for design

• Conservation science - basic chemistry, environmental issues, artifact care