Degree Project, First Cycle, Bachelor of fine arts in architecture, 15 Credits

Contents

The course consists of the identification and investigation of a substantial architectural project within a given framework. The project shall include a subject-related issue within the field of architecture and be carried out independently.

The student is required to plan, analyze and prepare the project based on prior investigations and analysis of the situation/s. The project shall be of such character that it can be discussed in spatial and architectural terms at different scales. The project includes a description of its theme, the investigations and analysis on which it is based, documentation of the architectural project, including the chosen methods and work processes, and critical reflection on its spatial, social and cultural consequences. The project should be solved within given time frames.

Expected learning outcomes

For a passing result, the student must be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Reflect on the spatial and cultural consequences of the project at different scales.
• Argue for the theme of the project based on prior analysis of situation/s.

Competence and skills

• Independently execute and document an architectural project within a given framework, thereby showing academic competences in the field of architecture.
• Apply knowledge in the architectural project acquired during the studies including, but not limited to, basic construction principles, material, light, the response to local climate, and the integration within the overall spatial and cultural context.
• Describe how he/she has selected relevant design strategy based on prior analysis of situation/s.
• Apply different methods during the process of an architectural investigation.

Judgement and approach

• Adequately communicate the work with respect to content and audience, thereby demonstrating competent use of tools for architectural communication including but not limited to drawings and models at different scales.
• Present and defend a project work.
• Complete an architectural project within a given timeframe.

Required Knowledge

For eligibility to the course the following are required:
Architecture Project 2:2 (15 credits)
Architectural Technology 2:2 (4 credits)
Urban Planning 1 (6 credits)
Theory of Architecture 2:2 (2 credits)
History of Architectural 2:2 (3 credits)

Form of instruction

The independent project runs over the course of ten weeks including presentations. The course consists of individual and group supervision as well as active participation in mandatory seminars. Each student is responsible for maintaining contact with the faculty during the project. The student must optimize the available supervisory resources. Project supervision is provided for a five-months period after the course has begun. The student shall plan and execute the project independently within the specified time frame.

The students right to teaching and supervision at the course that they are registered for is only valid from the onset of the course to the end of the course.

Mid-project Seminar
A preliminary architectural project based on the strategy, program and feedback from the previous phase is developed. Key architectural decisions on all scales are identified, developed and discussed. The overall spatial concept and its effect on the cultural context is described.

Final Presentation
The students develop the project independently and a completed architectural project is presented at the examination seminar. The student is expected to engage in a critical reflection on the initial research, the developed strategies, the spatial character and the cultural consequences. The development of key architectural decisions and strategies are discussed and evaluated.

Examination modes

The grading scheme is Pass (G) or Fail (U). The completed architectural project work, including methods and work process, shall be presented in a form appropriate to the work. Presentation will be oral and shall include a description of the methods and work process. The project shall be communicated with the use of architectural tools of communication, including but not limited to, drawings and models.

The architectural project work will be presented and defended in seminar form. The architectural project is graded at the end of the course and the assessment includes all mandatory parts of the course. This means that a student who at the end of the course has not passed all mandatory parts will receive the grade fail, as the student has not shown a capability to finish the tasks within the given timeframe. The final assessment of the project work will be done in relation to "Assessment criteria for Bachelor exam in Architecture". 

Mandatory participation: Introduction seminar, at least five tutorials, in group or individually, mid-seminar and final presentation. If the work, at any of the mandatory seminars, is assessed as not possible to pass during the remaining time frame, it can be failed without having been presented at the final examination seminar. The examiner should take the final decision about this kind of fail. Only in certain cases can a student be allowed to be absent at the final mandatory examination seminar. Documentation and filing according to the rules and regulation of Umeå University is a part of the examination.

Mid-project Seminar
A preliminary architectural project, including methods and work process, is presented and discussed at a mandatory mid-seminar. Appropriate architectural tools for communication, such as drawings and models are used. During this phase, the project will be assessed primarily based on the overall spatial concept, the quality and relevance of the design proposal and the material produced.

Final Presentation
The architectural project is presented orally at a mandatory final seminar, through relevant communicative methods, including architectural tools for communication such as drawings and models. Students, tutors, examiner and guest critics participate in the seminar. The student presents and defends the architectural project including the project theme, relevant opportunities and limitations, methods and work process and receives feedback according to the assessment criteria.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Students who have achieved a pass are not permitted to retake an examination. 
Students who do not pass an examination have the right to retake examinations. The date of the retake must be notified no later than the date of the regular examination. The first opportunity to retake an examination is to be offered no later than two months after the regular examination, but no earlier than 10 working days after students have been notified of the results of the regular examination. For examinations held in May and June, the first opportunity to retake the examination is to be offered within three months of the regular examination session. In addition, at least one further re-examination is offered within a year from the regular exam date.

A student who has taken a regular examination and retake in a course or a part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to request the appointment of another examiner or marking teacher, unless there are special reasons to the contrary. Students should address any such request to the director of studies or equivalent.

Other regulations

In the event of a course syllabus being withdrawn or undergoing major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including the regular examination session) in accordance with the previous course syllabus during a maximum of two years from the expiry of the course syllabus or the discontinuation of the course.