AARHUS SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

AARHUS SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE Academic Regulations - Master s Degree Programme Revised to be enforced 1 September 2015 1

Academic Regulations for the Master s Degree Programme at the Aarhus School of Architecture Contents: 1 Educational Objectives... 3 2 Learning Objectives of the Programme... 3 3 Content and Structure of the Programme... 3 3.1 Structure... 3 3.2 Content... 4 3.2.1 Project Work... 4 3.2.2 Written Reflection... 4 3.2.3 Workshops... 5 4 Objectives, aims and Learning Outcomes... 5 4.1 Leaning outcome from the studio syllabus... 5 4.2 7 th and 8 th semester... 6 4.3 9 th semester... 6 4.4 Assessment 7 th, 8 th and 9 th semester... 7 4.5 The Master s Project... 7 4.5.1 Formulation of the Master s Project... 7 4.5.2 Master s Project Requirements... 8 4.5.3 Assessment of the Master s Project... 8 4.6 Practical Training... 9 5 Study Activity and Study Progression... 9 2

1 Educational Objectives The objective of the Master s degree programme in architecture is to qualify students on an artistic and scientific basis for employment as architects in Denmark or internationally. The Master s degree programme is a research-based programme aimed at educating graduates who as architects master scientific analysis as well as artistic experiments and who are capable of transforming complex architectural problems into solutions and statements that relate to contemporary and historical conditions in a meaningful way. The educational objective is to educate graduates who: Possess knowledge, skills and competencies that qualify them to independently practice the architectural profession Meet the need of the profession for graduates who specialise in the main areas and professional specialties of architecture Are qualified to study architecture at PhD level Meet EU standards for architectural qualifications and are able to practice internationally The programme is based on the artistic and scientific foundations of architecture. The ability to practice architecture requires the mastery of space, form, composition and materiality at different levels of scale, as well as an insight into practical applications, functions, constructions, materials and legal requirements. The main subject areas of the programme are: planning, architecture and design. 2 Learning Objectives of the Programme On completion of the programme students shall: Possess knowledge which within specific professional areas is based on the highest level of international research and artistic development Understand and relate critically to architectural knowledge and be able to identify scientific and artistic problems Master scientific and/or artistic methods, forms of communication, tools of the architectural profession as well as general skills related to working within the architectural profession Be able to plan and manage complex and unpredictable work and development processes Be able to independently initiate and implement professional and cross-disciplinary collaboration and assume professional responsibility Be able to independently assume responsibility for own professional development and specialisation Possess skills in communicating the artistic and scientific problems and solutions of the profession verbally and visually to peers and non-specialists 3 Content and Structure of the Programme 3.1 Structure The Master's degree programme is a self-contained educational programme structured around the artistic and scientific theories, methods, and practices of the architectural profession. The programme is organised around the alternation between project work and fundamental disciplines. The Master's degree programme is a full-time study of two years. The study efforts of individual students are measured in ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points. The two academic years covered by the programme comprise a total of 120 ECTS. The programme consists of the following components: 3

7th semester: Project work, written reflection, workshops: 30 ECTS 8th semester: Project work, written reflection, workshops: 30 ECTS 9th semester: Project work, written reflection, workshops: 30 ECTS 10th semester: Master s Project: 30 ECTS Students may replace the components of semester 7 or 8 with practical training or external studies. ECTS credits reflect the relevant study-related efforts of students, including participation in courses, lectures and seminars, reading of relevant material, work on exercises and assignments, preparation for and participation in critiques and assessments, and independent studies. One semester s (approximately 5 months ) full-time studies, including assessment, equal 30 ECTS. 3.2 Content The Master s degree programme is a two-year programme consisting of semester courses which are typically structured around an academic setting (a studio) which provides the framework for a number of educational options. Semester courses comprise problem and process-oriented studies that involve practical and/or theoretical problems. In addition to this, the programme includes joint lectures, workshops and written reflection. Each semester course consequently comprises the following components: project work, written reflection and workshops. 3.2.1 Project Work Project work is a central component of the Master s degree program and one which reflects the investigative, creative and action-oriented method of the architectural profession. Project work normally takes as its starting point openly formulated questions related to current professional challenges. Project-oriented studies take place in dialogue with teachers and fellow students and thus require the constant presence of students in their studios. Presentations in the form of critiques form part of project work. As part of their project work individual students are required to present their work at regular intervals throughout each semester, typically a minimum of once every two months. The project work process and its results are typically documented and presented as analogue and digital project material and models. Project work shall count 80% of the final grade awarded at the end of the semester. 3.2.2 Written Reflection As part of their project work students must present a written reflection. The objective of the written reflection is to present and discuss the student s approach to and understanding of his/her project work. Written reflections serve to document the student s core interests, to provide a reflected account of study processes and study results, and document study efforts. 4

The written reflection must follow a specific approach which alternates from semester to semester, between theoretically-based approaches and practically-based approaches. The theoretically-based approach, known as Critical Written Reflection (CWR), should take a starting point in the student s core interests within studio assignments and be practiced in a mutually qualifying dialogue with other media in the design process. The objective of the CWR is to document and reflect upon the student s core interest study efforts and the insights gained through the use of the written media. In addition to documenting core interest study efforts, the CWR should document the student s approach to, and understanding of, his/her project work and clarify the practiced relationship between the use of the written media and its effect on the study outcome. The practically-based approach, known as Design Realisation (DR), should take a starting point in the student s core design project within studio assignments and demonstrate a clear understanding and reflection of practice related consequences and issues of the architectural design. In addition, the DR output should document the student s approach to, and understanding of, his/her project work in respect to simulating the demands imposed on a studio assignment as though the architectural design is to be realized (for example local planning, fire regulations and building codes), and clarify the effect of the study outcome. The written reflection shall count 20% of the final grade awarded for the semester. 3.2.3 Workshops As a part of the courses of the semester, workshops can be initiated which include problem and processoriented studies and which incorporate practical and/or theoretical problems. These workshops may be supported by seminars, lectures and common discussions. Workshops shall not be assessed with individual grades or marks, but as part of the main project work. 4 Objectives, aims and Learning Outcomes The studio syllabus within the Master s program determines: the specific content and extent of both theoretical and practical studies the methodical approaches and phase division of the work, and the framework of the student s individual academic angling and formulation of the specific semester and individual assignments 4.1 Leaning outcome from the studio syllabus Through documentation, knowledge and understanding students must: demonstrate knowledge of historical and theoretical grounding of a specific architectural subject area and of practice conditions demonstrate knowledge of methods for developing within the architectural subject area be able to interpret, analyse and put a complex academic problem into perspective demonstrate an ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between people and physical surroundings, and between architecture, space and their environment, and the need to relate architecture, landscape 5

and the spaces between them, to human needs and scale, together with skills involved in the process of planning and development beyond idea demonstrate an understanding of the profession of architecture and the role of the architect in society, in particular in preparing briefs that take account of social factors demonstrate an understanding of the methods of investigation and preparation of the brief for a design project demonstrate an understanding of the structural design, constructional and engineering problems associated with architectural design demonstrate an adequate knowledge of physical problems and technologies and the function of spatial design so as to provide internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate when designing architectural space demonstrate design skills to meet users requirements within the constraints imposed by cost factors and regulations demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the industries, organisations, regulations and procedures involved in translating design concepts into architectural design, urban spaces and landscapes and integrating overall planning issues within a real context 4.2 7 th and 8 th semester Objectives The objective of the studies in the 7th and 8th semester is to develop the student s independent methods of project work and knowledge of supporting tools, skills and competences within the chosen specialist area and focus laid out within the specific studio syllabuses, and the learning outcomes from the studio syllabus listed in section 4.1. Learning skills The student must demonstrate clear development through their 7 th and 8 th semester, and must: be able at a high level satisfy the learning outcomes from the studio syllabus listed above be able at a high level demonstrate an ability to plan and program project assignment(s) laid out within the studio syllabus and critically identify and gather project relevant knowledge be able to develop through experiments, studies and analyses an architectural proposition and present a competent architectural solution be able to assess and choose among the methods, communication forms to be able to make a reflected assignment answer be able to discuss and present a complex, subject specific problem and assignment answer to his/her colleagues and to non-specialists, in a public forum Learning outcomes Must on the basis of specific assignments laid out in the studio syllabus be able to handle investigative, unpredictable and creative working processes and reach a qualified result Must independently be able to initiate and go through with professional and interdisciplinary cooperation Must independently be able to take responsibility for his/her learning and specialisation. 4.3 9 th semester Objectives The objective of the studies in the 9th semester is to further develop the student s independent methods of project work and knowledge of supporting tools, skills and competences within the chosen specialist area and focus laid out within the specific studio syllabuses, and the learning outcomes from the studio syllabus 6

listed in section 4.1. Students must demonstrate at an extended level an ability to formulate and go through with a master assignment. Learning skills The student must demonstrate clear development and must: at an extended level satisfy the learning outcomes from the studio syllabus listed above at an extended level demonstrate an ability to plan and program project assignment(s) laid out within the studio syllabus and critically identify and gather project relevant knowledge at an extended level develop through experiments, studies and analyses an architectural proposition and present a competent architectural solution at an extended level assess and choose among the methods, communication forms to be able to make a reflected assignment answer at an extended level be able to discuss and present a complex, subject specific problem and assignment answer to his/her colleagues and to non-specialists, in a public forum. at an extended level have knowledge of the historical and theoretical foundation of a specific architectural subject area plus current practice conditions independently be able to read, analyse and put a complex academic problem into perspective. Learning outcomes Must on the basis of specific assignments laid out in the studio syllabus be able at an extended level to handle investigative, unpredictable and creative working processes and reach a qualified result Must at an extended level independently be able to initiate and go through with professional and interdisciplinary cooperation Must at an extended level independently be able to take responsibility for his/her learning and specialisation. 4.4 Assessment 7 th, 8 th and 9 th semester For assessment of each semester, students are required to present a full portfolio and a blog page on the schools homepage - on www.aarch.dk that collectively is an accurate record of the students full semester s work including documentation of all parts of the studio syllabus requirements. Each semester of the Master s degree programme shall include two educational elements project work and written reflection, which when completed shall result in the awarding of a single mark at the end of the semester. For a student to successfully pass the semester he/she must achieve a mark of 02 or above for his/her project and a mark of 02 or above for his/her written reflection. 4.5 The Master s Project Students must solve an assignment of their own choice. Students who are to solve an assignment of their own choice must submit a problem formulation for their Master s Project. 4.5.1 Formulation of the Master s Project At the beginning of the 10th semester, the student must state the academic basis for the final project of the Master s degree programme, followed by a written formulation of the Master s Project. 7

In combination with the ministerial order and the academic regulations, the formulation of the Master s Project shall provide the formal basis of assessment for the Master s Project. The formulation must: Provide a brief account (no more than 6 A4 pages) of the relevance, content, academic aims and delimitation of the assignment. In connection with the formulation, a statement must be drawn up regarding the components of the completed Master s degree program. Approval of the formulation for the Master s Project is a graduation requirement. As part of the formulation of a Master s Project, students must document work carried out during the 9th semester that demonstrates the basis for and the relevance of the Master s Project. This documentation must include: A concise document in digital form presenting the student s study-related efforts and written reflection during the 9th semester which may provide a basis for further studies within the framework of the Master s Project. Approval of this document is a graduation requirement. 4.5.2 Master s Project Requirements The Master s Project must document the student s ability to: Programme, organise and develop proposals based on an individually interpreted programme Develop analytical models, develop solution models and master skills related to the architectural profession and its specialities The Master s Project may be carried out as group work if the assignment answer makes individual assessment possible. 4.5.3 Assessment of the Master s Project Assessment shall include the student's presentation of his/her Master s Project, questions from the assessment committee to the student, comments from the assessment committee, and the deliberation of the assessment committee. Grades shall be awarded according to the Danish 7-point grading scale. Assessment shall be carried out by internal and external examiners from the team of examiners appointed by the Danish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education. Presentations and discussions are public, whereas the deliberation process is closed to the public. The Master's Project shall be carried out and assessed in accordance with the detailed rules for graduation which are made available on the School website. If the student does not pass the assessment of the Master s project within 5 months after the beginning of the semester the student must write a new formulation of the Master s project, within the same subject area, and will be given a new assessment date 3 months after the first. If the student does not pass the second assessment he/she can have a third attempt under the same conditions that apply to the second attempt. Upon completion of the programme the Aarhus School of Architecture shall issue a diploma of graduation in accordance with the requirements stated in applicable regulations. Students who have completed the 8

Master's degree programme in architecture have the right to use the title: cand.arch., candidatus/ candidata architecturae (Master of Arts in Architecture, MA). 4.6 Practical Training Students may replace either their 7th or 8th semester with a period of practical training. This period must equal 5 months full time studies in order to be awarded with 30 ECTS. The objective of this alternative, credit-earning period of practical training is to give students an opportunity to test and further develop obtained theoretical and methodical qualifications in an occupational setting relevant to their studies. Practical training shall take place in a public or private firm which handles architectural tasks and which can provide professional practical training supervision. As practical training is a credit-earning alternative to the courses and project work of the semester, it shall be organised in such a way that the student is not only given a broad insight into the field of activity, related to the architectural profession, in question but also obtains qualifying experience in carrying out architectural project work in practice. It is the duty of students, on their own initiative and in dialogue with their teachers, to find a relevant place of practical training which has been approved by the Aarhus School of Architecture. Practical training must be approved before the commencement of the credit earning period. Learning outcomes for practical training The student must: Develop his/her knowledge of the current practice conditions in the field of architecture Learn to understand and reflect on the current practice conditions of the field of architecture Learn to translate his/her skills into scientific and/or artistic methods, communication forms and tools for use in practice Learn to discuss with and present problems and assignment solutions to both peers and nonspecialists, including clients, citizens and users Learn to manage investigative, unpredictable and creative processes of work relevant for practicing architecture Learn to independently cooperate professionally and cross-disciplinarily Learn to independently take responsibility for own learning and specialisation During the period of practical training, the student must keep a log book and draw up a summarizing, written report which the student must hand in for assessment at the end of the semester. The report on practical training shall be graded as approved / not approved by the student s supervisor. If the report is graded not approved the student must hand in a new written report. Deadline will be given by the Studies Division. If the student does not pass the second he/she can have a third attempt under the same conditions that apply to the second attempt. 5 Study Activity and Study Progression Students enrolled in the Master's degree programme must actively participate in courses that form part of the Master's degree programme. Active participation includes: studio presence and participation in 9

lectures, courses, excursions, etc. which are outlined in the syllabus or study plan. In addition to this, students must present their work at mid and final critiques, on average usually once every two months. A student who is found not to participate actively in studies shall not receive credit for the semester in question towards the requirements for graduation. Students shall only be considered for progression from one semester to the following when the former semester has been approved. 10