Course - Master Thesis in Architecture - AAR4990
Master Thesis in Architecture
About
About the course
Course content
Master's thesis in architecture - an independent professional work
Learning outcome
KNOWLEDGE The candidate...
- has advanced knowledge of architecture as a field of knowledge; its theory and history as well as its technical, scientific, social and cultural basis, and can apply this knowledge in her own architectural work.
- has advanced aesthetic and practical understanding (tacit knowledge), and is able to apply this knowledge in her own architectural work.
- has advanced experiential knowledge of the relationship between architectural representations at different levels of abstraction, and concrete built architecture, cities and towns that are in use over time.
SKILLS The candidate...
- is able to give form to architecture and/or cities/towns at an international architectural level through artistic and scientific investigations, concept development, and architectural design in relevant formats and/or through architectural knowledge theory.
- is thoroughly trained in the use of architectural methods, tools and expressions, and can apply these in architectural design, urban design and/or research, in a targeted, professional and experimental manner.
- is able to critically assess and recognize quality in architectural works, cities, projects and urban plans, including in her own work, and make use of such assessments in her own architectural work.
GENERAL COMPETENCE The candidate...
- takes independent responsibility for her own learning and professional development, and is able to apply her knowledge in new fields.
- is able to reflect critically and ethically on her own architectural work, create new frameworks for understanding, and depart from conventions after critical consideration.
- is able to communicate architectural work, including her own and others work, to specialists as well as to the general public, at a professional level and in an academic context.
- relates her professional competence and involvement to key societal issues.
Learning methods and activities
The master thesis accounts for 30 SP and is executed normally in 10. semester (AAR4990, term 2). Information on the implementation of the master thesis and preparations for this, is done in the previous semester. Therefore, the candidate must register for AAR4990 (term 1) in the semester before they will deliver the master thesis.
The master's thesis can be done: 1) Individually 2) In groups of two students with individual assessment 3) In groups of two students with a common assessment. All students have the right to complete the Master's thesis individually. In the assignment type 2, each student's contribution needs to be clearly identifiable. Students are allowed to choose assignment type 2 or 3 provided that they themselves organize the group and that the supervisor for the group approves this. All candidates are required to submit a master thesis agreement before starting the master project. In the case of a group assignment, the partnership will be noted in this agreement.
Requirements for submitted material and sensor guidance can be found on Blackboard as pdf "Diploma Handbook". It is expected that both master's students, the department heads of IAP and IAT, supervisors and invited examiners have read the handbook for diploma.
Further on evaluation
The candidate's work is presented to two examiners through physical materials consisting of posters, physical scale models, process booklets, etc. There is an option for the work to be done in a digital format (e.g., a website) if this is suitable.
The candidate is present and orally presents the material to the examiners. The candidate's presentation of their work is given within a 30-minute time frame. The next 30 minutes (for individual projects) / 45 minutes (for pair projects) are then used to discuss the work with the examiner to clarify the quality of the work and the candidate's professional maturity. Oral feedback from the examiners occurs immediately after the project presentation/dialogue with the examiners.
After all project presentations are completed, an examiner meeting is held where the examiners assign a letter grade to the projects.
The master's thesis, oral presentation, and physical materials in the exhibition form the basis for the grade.
The oral presentation and physical materials are mainly used for the assessment of: a) the quality of the work as shown in the presentation, and b) the candidate's professional maturity tested during the interview.
A high-quality photograph of the poster, where it is possible to zoom in to verify details, must be submitted in Inspera. Additionally, all physical models must be photographed from relevant angles, and all process work must be scanned and documented in a coherent sequence. All digital material must be compiled into clear PDF files and submitted to Inspera.
A deferred exam is held in the next regular exam period.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Architecture (MAAR)
Architecture (MAAR2)
Required previous knowledge
Requires admission to the study program: Architecture (MAAR or MAAR2)
All required courses in the study program must be passed (270sp for MAAR and 90sp for MAAR2) before starting the master project. This includes the mandatory theory and methods course in the 9th semester in preparation for the master project.
Students can apply to start the master project with a maximum of 7,5 study credits remaining. The remaining study credits cannot be considered essential for the completion of the master project.
Subject areas
- Architecture