Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2019-03-11
Contents
Students who take the course will expand upon their abilities, knowledge and understanding of professional practice. The course provides students with knowledge of basic legal, occupational and statutory spheres of responsibility, as well as critically reflecting on the regulatory, financial and professional mechanisms that guide their future as practicing architects.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to[LSM1]
show adequate knowledge of current planning policy and development control legislation, including social, environmental and economic aspects, the architect's and the building industry's role in the processes of procurement and building production and the relevance of these design development.
show adequate knowledge of the fundamental legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect, and the organisations, regulations and procedures involved in the negotiation and approval of architectural designs, including land law, development control, building regulations and health and safety regulation.
show an understanding of the nature of professionalism and the duties, responsibilities and role of architects in relation to clients, building users, constructors, co-professionals and the wider society and the need to appraise and prepare building briefs of diverse scales and types and methods of investigation to define client and user requirements and their appropriateness to site and context.
critically examine the financial factors implied in varying building types, constructional systems, specification choices, possible cost control mechanisms and the impact of these on architectural design.
demonstrate adequate knowledge related to running an architects' practice, current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment, basic management, organisational and business theories and principles for procuring and delivering architectural projects, and how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures.
demonstrate the personal responsibility, competence and knowledge required to work autonomously in a professional capacity and identify individual learning needs to prepare for qualification as an architect.
Required Knowledge
Admission to the course requires the completion of a minimum of 210 ECTS credits or equivalent, including the courses "5AR420 Synthesis Course 1", "5AR421 Seminar Course 1a" and "5AR422 Seminar Course 1b".
Form of instruction
The course consists of lectures, seminars, tutorials, group and individual projects, and workshops.
Examination modes
The course will be graded through presentations in seminars and a written assignment.
A grade of Pass (G) or Fail (U) is awarded for the course. All mandatory oral, written and practical assignments must be finished and approved before the course can be successfully completed.
Additional examinations are arranged for students who did not pass the original one. A student who fails two exams in a course or component is entitled to have another examiner appointed unless there are extraordinary grounds for not doing so (Chapter 6, Section 22, Higher Education Ordinance). The request for a new examiner shall be turned in to the director of the programme.
Complementary assignments A student who does not fully meet the the requirements to pass an examination but is close to a grade of Pass may, upon a decision by the examiner, receive a complementary assignment in order to meet the criteria. The complementary assignment shall be adapted to the particular outcomes that the student has not achieved. The examiner sets the deadline for handing in the assignment.
Academic credit transfer Students have the right to request that previous studies, or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in a professional, work-related capacity, be validated and transferred into credits on an equivalent course or programme at Umeå University. Applications for credit transfer should be addressed to Student Services/Degree Evaluation Office. More information can be found at the Umeå University student web site (www.student.umu.se/english) and in Chapter 6 of the Higher Education Ordinance. Appeals may be made to the Higher Education Appeals Board (ÖNH) against a decision by the university not to approve an application for credit transfer (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 12), even in cases where only a part of the application has been rejected.
Other regulations
This course may not be used towards a degree, in whole or in part, simultaneously with another course of similar content. If in doubt, consult the study counselor at Umeå School of Architecture.
Reexaminations based on the same curriculum are guaranteed within two years after the first course registration.
