Course - Self-programmed Design Course - AAR4600
Self-programmed Design Course
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
Spring: 2026-12-01
About
About the course
Course content
The course offers the student the opportunity to independently choose the theme of their architectural or urban project in collaboration with a supervisor from one of the architectural departments. The project work must be architecture and / or urbanism.
The supervisor must hold the position of Associate Professor or Professor and should preferably be the same for both combined courses. Students are required to establish an agreement with the supervisor well in advance and prepare a detailed description of the assignment and learning activities for this course, as well as for the associated self-programmed knowledge course AAR4900.
The description must include an overview of course materials, a progress plan, the frequency of supervision, and a preliminary list of deliverables intended for submission at the examination. If the student enters into collaboration with external parties within the course—such as undertaking design assignments—an agreement ensuring academic independence must be attached to the description. Students are not permitted to accept remuneration for work carried out within the course. The supervisor must approve and sign the description, confirming that the proposed arrangement aligns with the stated learning outcomes of the course.
The approved and signed description must be submitted to the faculty no later than two weeks prior to the application deadline for course registration. The supervisor is responsible for organizing the assessment within the same semester. It is also possible to select another elective or compulsory knowledge course (the latter must be open to all architecture students). The choice of relevant courses shall be determined in consultation with the supervisor, and the knowledge course must be relevant to the project course. If the student selects another elective or compulsory knowledge course, only a description for AAR4600 is required.
Learning outcome
Knowledge: The candidate:
- has advanced knowledge of specific architectural and / or planning prerequisites for the chosen project assignment and can apply this knowledge in their own architectural work.
Skills: The candidate:
- is able to give form to architecture and / or urban plan through artistic and scientific investigations, concept development and architectural design in relevant scales and formats.
- is in command of architectural methods, tools and expressions and can apply these skills in architectural and / or urban design in a targeted, professional and experimental manner.
- is able to apply architecture as a field of knowledge in their own architectural work; its theory and history, as well as its technical, scientific, social and cultural basis.
- is able to apply advanced aesthetic and practical understanding in their own architectural work.
General competence: The candidate:
- takes independent responsibility for their own learning and professional development and is able to apply their knowledge in new fields.
- is able to reflect critically and ethically on their own architectural work, create new frameworks for understanding, and depart from conventions after critical consideration.
- is able to communicate architectural work at a professional level and in an academic context.
- relates their professional competence and commitment to important societal issues and sustainability.
Learning methods and activities
To be decided by student and supervisor in advance. See the paragraph Academic content. The course places great demands on the student's ability to plan their own learning activities and to do independent architectural work under supervision.
Further on evaluation
(the information may be changed until June 15th)
Assessment: The assessment in the course is carried out as a portfolio assessment with oral presentation. The portfolio must be submitted by the stated deadline. In the oral presentation, the student presents the semester work to the examiner.
Deferred exam: A deferred exam is normally scheduled for the next examination period.
In cases of valid absence or failure of the submitted the portfolio, the student may register for the deferred exam. Students who fail the ordinary assessment must submit a revised portfolio in accordance with the examiner’s feedback.
Appeal: If the grade differs from the original assessment, the student must give a new oral presentation.
Course repetition: New material must be submitted that is different from the original submission.
Specific conditions
Limited admission to classes. For more information: https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Admission+to+courses+with+restricted+admission
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Architecture (MAAR)
Architecture (MAAR2)
Required previous knowledge
This course is not available to exchange students.
Completed three years basic courses in architecture, bachelor's degree in architecture, or equivalent.
Students in MAAR program: The student must have met the progression requirements outlined in the study plan description for the integrated five-year Master’s program in Architecture and has successfully completed all compulsory design studio courses during the first three years of architectural studies at NTNU or an equivalent accredited institution.
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Course materials
To be decided by student and supervisor in advance. See the paragraph Academic content.
Subject areas
- Architecture