Course syllabus for Master's thesis preparation: Academic approaches and general structure

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameFörberedelse för examensarbete: akademiskt arbetssätt och övergripande struktur
  • CodeACE370
  • Credits5 Credits
  • OwnerMPARC
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 05135
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0123 Written and oral assignments 5 c
Grading: UG		5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

At least 30 c, including at least one design studio, in the master’s programme Architecture and urban design (MPARC) or the master's programme Architecture and planning beyond sustainability (MPDSD), or the equivalent.

Aim

The course prepares students for the master thesis in architecture. It gives an orientation on theories and methods with a focus on academic approaches and writing. Within the course students formulate a project plan in accordance with academic requirements. The course is connected to the course ”Master’s thesis preparation: design approaches and narratives”.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge and understanding
  • refer the own work to theories and methods within architectural and/or urban design, relate it to a professional context and to a sustainability perspective
Competence and skills
  • reflect upon the relationship between research and design in the student's coming master thesis
  • prepare and plan the master’s thesis general structure and formulate it into a project plan in accordance with academic requirements
Judgement and approach
  • reflect on and assess the learning process the student has been through and identify the need for further knowledge and skills
  • constructively evaluate the students own work as well as other students work and give constructive feedback

Content

The course includes lectures, workshops, seminars, assignments and presentations. The students formulate a project plan in accordance with the academic requirements for the master thesis. During the course the students will give feedback to other students and receive feedback on their own work from other students.

Organisation

The course runs in parallel with the course Master’s thesis preparation: Design approaches and narratives. If the courses are taken together the material from each course will be connected.

Students are divided into groups based on assigned master's thesis examiner(s) and supervisor(s), but are also mixed between these groups, providing a cross-critical approach. The learning is structured around lectures, workshops, groupwork, group feedback, individual work, feedback with teachers and assignments. Students work individually or in pairs, depending on how they are planning on pursuing their thesis.

Literature

To be announced in the course description.

Examination including compulsory elements

In order to obtain a pass in this course the following requirements must be fulfilled.
  • Active participation at lectures, group work, presentations and other scheduled activities (at least 80% presence).
  • Submission of all course assignments described in the course description.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.