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Programme syllabus:

Master's Programme in Architecture and Urban Design, 120 Credits

Swedish name: Masterprogrammet i arkitektur och stadsbyggnad

This programme syllabus is valid: HT17 and valid until HT20 (newer version of the programme syllabus exists)

Programme code: TAASM

Credit points: 120

Registration number: 3.1.3-1098-16

Responsible faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology

Established by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2016-06-28

Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2017-04-20

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor´s degree of at least 180 ECTS with a main field of study in Architecture and submitted work samples/portfolio. English language proficiency equivalent to (the Swedish upper secondary school) English course B/6.

Degree

Following completion of the degree programme, the student may apply for and obtain a Degree of Master of Fine Arts pursuant to a local qualification descriptor adopted by the Vice-Chancellor (refer to http://www.student.umu.se/examen/bestammelser/examensbeskrivningar/). The degree is awarded with Architecture as the main field of study, as well as Architecture and Urban Design as the specialisation.

Description of the education for current education cycle

Chapter 1, Section 9, Swedish Higher Education Act: Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent.

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes, shall
•    further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
•    develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations
•    develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work

National goals for current degree

To obtain a Degree of Master of Fine Arts, the student shall exhibit
•    knowledge and understanding of the main field of study of the programme, including both wide-ranging comprehension of the field and specialist skills in various disciplines of the field, as well as a sophisticated grasp of current research and development
•    familiarity with methods and processes for dealing with complex phenomena, issues and situations in the field

Competence and skills
To obtain a Degree of Master of Fine Arts, the student shall demonstrate
•    skills required to formulate new issues creatively and autonomously and contribute to the advance of knowledge, solve advanced problems, cultivate fresh, original means of expression, and critically think about the approach taken by both herself and others to the main field of study of the programme
•    skills required to proceed from sophisticated personal means of expression to create and apply original artistic concepts, identify, formulate and solve artistic and design problems autonomously, and plan and methodically complete advanced artistic assignments within a specified time frame
•    skills required to act in both national and international forums to present and discuss either orally, in writing or in another manner her/his projects and artistic deliberations in conversation with various groups
•    competence and knowledge required to autonomously participate in the workplace

Judgement and approach
To obtain a Degree of Master of Fine Arts, the student shall show
•    skills required to assess relevant artistic, social and ethical considerations in the main field of study of the programme
•    a grasp of the role of artistic endeavours in the larger community
•    skills required to identify her need for additional knowledge and assume responsibility for acquiring it

Examination format

Examinations are normally administered by monitoring the student's knowledge on a regular basis within the constraints of instruction, such as seminars, oral reports or written reports. Examinations may be replaced, either wholly or in part, by an oral and/or written test at the end of the course. For additional information, refer to the course syllabus.

A student who fails an examination shall be offered the opportunity to re-take it pursuant to the regulations specified in the course syllabus. A student who has failed an examination twice is entitled to request that the department board appoint another faculty member to grade the next re-take.

Grades

Grades are awarded for each course, as well as for modules as deemed appropriate in the course syllabus. A grade is not awarded until all examinations and required modules, such as laboratory sessions, project reports and written assignments, have been assessed. Unless otherwise specified in the course syllabus, a grade of Fail (U) or Pass (G) is awarded. A grade of Pass or higher may not be raised for a course with more than one grading scale.

Transfer of Credits

A student is entitled to a review of whether a previous programme or activity may be approved for credit transfer. For more detailed information, refer to Chapter 6, Sections 6-8, of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance and http://www.student.umu.se/examen/tillgodoraknanden

Denial of a request for credit transfer may be appealed against to the Higher Education Appeals Board. Any such denial must be accompanied by a written explanation.

General

The first three semesters of the programme are structured in the same manner:

a synthesis course that runs parallel with two seminar courses. The student conducts an independent project during the final semester. All of them are general courses within the programme. The student may choose to complete the synthesis in accordance with one of several design studios.

Seminar courses 1a-3a introduce and explore theoretical concepts, methods and processes such that the primary focus is on the national intended learning outcomes for knowledge and understanding. During synthesis courses 1-3, the student shall apply theory to artistic practice such that her competence and skills improve as described in the national intended learning outcomes. During seminar courses 1b-3b, the student shall engage in individual deliberation and discussion of the artistic practice pursued in the parallel synthesis course in order to demonstrate her/his judgement and approach as described in the national intended learning outcomes.

All instruction is in English.

General courses
5AR420: Synthesis course 1: Architecture and Urban Design Project, Positioning, 20 ECTS
5AR423: Synthesis course 2: Architecture and Urban Design Project, Resolution, 20 ECTS
5AR525: Synthesis course 3: Preparatory Architecture and Urban Design Project for Master's Thesis, 20 ECTS

5AR421: Seminar course 1a: Architectural Technology, Sustainability and Environmental Impact, 5 ECTS
5AR424: Seminar course 2a: Architectural Technology, Resolution, 5 ECTS
5AR526: Seminar course 3a: Preparatory Research in Architectural Technology for Master's Thesis, 5 ECTS

5AR422: Seminar course 1b: Theory and History of Architecture and Urban Design, 5 ECTS 5AR425: Seminar course 2b: Professional Studies in Architecture and Urban Design, 5 ECTS
5AR527: Seminar course 3b: Preparatory Research in Theory and History of Architecture and Urban Design for Master's Thesis, 5 ECTS

5AR522: Degree project for Degree of Master of Fine Arts in Architecture, 30 ECTS

A student has guaranteed admission to any general course.

Programme overview

    Autumn    Spring
Year 1
    Synthesis course 1, 20 ECTS*
Seminar course 1a, 5 ECTS**
Seminar course 1b, 5 ECTS***
    Synthesis course 2, 20 ECTS*
Seminar course 2a, 5 ECTS**
Seminar course 2b, 5 ECTS***
Year 2    Synthesis course 3, 20 ECTS*
Seminar course 3a, 5 ECTS**
Seminar course 3b, 5 ECTS***    Degree project, 30 ECTS****

* Focuses on proficiency outcomes
** Focuses on knowledge outcomes
*** Focuses on judgement outcomes
**** Independent project

Degree project/independent study
The Master's Programme in Architecture and Urban Design concludes with a degree project, which may begin once the prior knowledge requirements in the course syllabus have been met. The student shall apply the knowledge acquired during the programme by presenting the results of the degree project of 30 higher education credits both orally and in a written report or academic paper. The project shall include some type of in-depth subject study in the field of architecture.

The student shall write the report in English and design it to meet scientific stylistic and quality standards.

Deferment of studies

Deferment of studies may be granted on extraordinary grounds. Among possible extraordinary grounds are social, medical or other circumstances, such as care of a child, military service, civilian service, student union post or deferred leave pursuant to the Education Leave Act (Swedish Code of Statutes 1974:981). An application for deferment shall be submitted to the Student Centre. Denial of a request for deferment of studies may be appealed against to the Higher Education Appeals Board

Approved leave from studies

A student who has been admitted to the programme may apply for approved leave from studies. The application shall be submitted to the study or programme counsellor. Approved leave from studies with guaranteed admission may be granted on the following grounds: social, medical or other circumstances, such as care of a child, military service, civilian service or student union post.

Denial of a request for approved leave from studies may be appealed against to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

A student who drops out of the programme shall notify the programme coordinator of non-completion.

Other

A student must pass synthesis course 1and seminar course la before being admitted to synthesis course 2. A student must pass synthesis course 2 and seminar course 2a before being admitted to synthesis course 3. A student must pass all year 1courses, as well as complete synthesis course 3and seminar courses 3ab, before being admitted to the degree project.