(Award available for year: Master of Science)
LO1: Develop and consolidate in-depth design skills related to architecture and effectively communicate, with proven expertise, architectural ideas, and design proposals.
LO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between people, buildings, and their surrounding environment, in relation to human needs and scale.
LO3: Ability to prepare design briefs for design projects and apply proper design methods towards complex spatial problems.
LO4: State of the art knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research in an area related to architecture.
LO5: Conduct systematic research in architecture and apply critical thinking.
LO6: Undertake a substantial piece of research in architectural design or related subject discipline.
LO7: Demonstrate an understanding of the wider ethical, legal, and societal factors involved in the research and innovation.
Knowledge and Understanding
1. A critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, generally informed by the forefront of a field of learning.
2. Critical awareness with new insights into the reciprocal relationship between people, buildings, and the broader environment.
3. A systematic understanding and critical awareness of the historical and theoretical contexts for, and influences on, cutting edge contemporary architecture with fresh insights.
4. Knowledge of current research relating to the creation of ecologically sustainable built environments that provide comfort and protection.
5. Understanding of methods for the generation of new knowledge through original research, advanced practice or scholarship.
Subject Specific Skills
Student’s subject specific skills are developed through independent study supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, design reviews, presentations, and group work.
1. Design and creative thinking skills:
- The ability to develop innovative architectural designs with the use of conceptual and critical thinking in design processes.
- Skills in Architecture and urban and planning theories.
- Knowledge of spatial organization and public realm development.
- Understanding of socio-political and economic influences on urban environments.
2. Communication skills:
- Advanced skills in visual communication, including drawing, modelling, and rendering.
- Ability to articulate design concepts through presentations and reports.
- Proficiency in academic and technical writing.
3. Technical skills:
- Knowledge of design and digital techniques, with proficiency in using architectural software (AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, BIM tools).
4. Research and analysis skills:
- Ability to interpret and apply research findings to architectural projects.
- Developing skills in evaluating historical, social, and cultural impacts of architecture.
5. Professional and ethical practice:
- Knowledge of architectural codes, regulations, and ethics.
- Skills in stakeholder engagement, teamwork, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Awareness of professional responsibilities and the societal impact of architectural decisions.
6. Problem solving and critical thinking:
- Ability to address complex architectural challenges with innovative solutions.
- Skills in balancing aesthetic, functional, and practical considerations.
- Critical evaluation of design alternatives and iterative refinement processes.
1. Define and articulate problems, develop ideas and effectively communicate these through conducting independent design and research.
2. Develop efficient communication skills, including writing research and design reports, and be able to communicate effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
3. Demonstrate competence in team working skills and understand personal and professional responsibilities.
4. Demonstrate independent judgment, autonomy and address complex issues in professional or related architectural environments.
Cognitive Skills
1. The intellectual and reasoning skills of students will be developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials, directed reading, problem-solving scenarios, design reviews and critiques, and presentations.
2. Independent research and design project work will provide further development of intellectual skills by the individual. The topics covered in the degree programme are designed to promote and develop students' problem-solving skills, encouraging them to approach issues associated with architectural environments in original and creative ways.
3. Assessment is conducted through written examinations, coursework including individual reports and essays, through oral presentations and through individual and group work design and research projects.
Students are assessed through a range of approaches, including assessments that directly build towards those tasks undertaken in a professional work environment. This will include assessment through project work and written examinations (both open and closed book), and through coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations and posters. Assessments are designed to support students in developing key transferable skills. Most submissions will be submitted digitally.
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