Synthesis course 3: Preparatory Architecture and Urban Design Project for Master's Thesis, 20 Credits

Contents

The course focuses on preparatory studies and design research in preparation for an extensive application during the degree project.

Alongside exploring history, theory and technology in seminar courses 3a and 3b, students define their design and professional ambitions in preparation for further exploration and application in the degree project. This means describing social, material, environmental and technical challenges with a particular emphasis on defining one's point of departure as a future professional practitioner.

During the remainder of the course, the focus is on the design of architectural aspects, elements, or fragments as a preliminary study for the degree project. The emphasis of the course is on design research. 

The course is studio-based. The course teachers adjust and determine specific course information, themes, design requirements, and submission requirements for the academic year. 

The course is divided into three modules:

1. Architectural Investigations (8 credits)
2. Architectural Proposal (8 credits)
3. Communication with External Parties (4 credits)

Expected learning outcomes

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

Competence and skills

• Develop and demonstrate the ability to independently formulate new relevant questions based on complex artistic, social and ethical phenomena and develop a personal point of departure in an architectural project through research
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and apply various visual, oral and written media and physical and digital models to test questions at issue and design
• Critically analyse, present, and discuss questions, issues and architectural projects concerning contemporary research and development work
• Creatively use and apply appropriate artistic and architectural methods, theoretical concepts and conclusions in the design of an architectural project

Judgement and approach

• Critically position their approach relating to others within the field of knowledge
• Through critical reflection, implement and evaluate an advanced architecture project
• Demonstrate the ability to identify their need for additional competence and knowledge and understand the personal responsibility and skills required to prepare for qualified architectural work

Required Knowledge

Admission to the course requires the completion of a minimum of 240 ECTS credits or equivalent, including the courses "5AR423 Synthesis Course 2", "5AR524 Seminar Course 2a" and "5AR425 Seminar Course 2b".

Form of instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, case studies and project work individually and in groups comprised of analysis exercises, practical exercises, supervision and group discussions.

The right to receive teaching and supervision only applies when the course for which the student is registered is in progress.

Examination modes

All three course modules are examined individually through an oral presentation supported by diagrams, drawings, architectural models and other relevant visual material prepared individually and in groups. 

The oral presentation is assessed with one of the grades Pass (G) or Fail (U). For the whole course, the grades Pass (G) och Fail (U) are used. To pass the course, all modules need to be completed with a pass grade. 

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 failed two tests for a course or a part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF 6 Chap. 22 §). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the department. 

Other regulations

In the event of a course syllabus being withdrawn or undergoing major changes, 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 withdrawal of the course.