Course syllabus for Masters thesis preparation course 2

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameFörberedelsekurs för examensarbete 2
  • CodeARK641
  • Credits3 Credits
  • OwnerMPARC
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyArchitecture, Architecture and Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 05124
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0118 Written and oral assignments 3 c
Grading: UG		1 c2 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

Minimum 30,0 credits from courses (in principal the first semester of the MPARC or MPDSD master's programme) with architectural design focus or corresponding qualifications. Masters thesis preparation course 1.

Please note limitations for combining Masters thesis preparation course 1 and Masters thesis preparation course 2 with other courses. See under Organization.

Aim

The course prepares the students for their master's thesis under the guidance of assigned examiner(s) and supervisor(s). It explores specific theories and/or design methods associated with a particular trajectory of architecture and urban design. It trains the students' ability to use design studies, precedent studies, context studies, material studies and/or theoretical texts as a basis for formulating a design problem and/or research query. After completion of the course, students should have put together a critically and methodologically informed master's thesis project plan that allows an examiner to assess the potential and feasibility of the project.

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

Knowledge and understanding

Define a particular trajectory of design and research in architecture and urban design.

Define the design media (i.e. specific types of drawings, models, diagrams, software, etc.) and writing style associated with a particular trajectory of design and research in architecture and urban design.

Discuss their own work in relation to a particular trajectory of design and research in architecture and urban design.


Abilities and skills

Plan and structure their own work during the course of the master's thesis.

Develop a critically and methodologically informed master's thesis project plan that fulfils academic standards.

Formulate a design problem and/or research query based on design studies, precedent studies, context studies, and / or theoretical texts.

Demonstrate the ability to move from the personal discourse of a design process to a more formal discourse appropriate for a master's thesis.


Ability of assessment and attitude

Understand and promote the importance of drawing from the work of others in order to innovate.

Content

The course consists of an introductory lecture, text and/or precedent studies seminars, and individual feedback. The lecture gives an introduction to the field in which a given thesis direction operates and prepares students for planned learning activities such as seminars. Seminars aid students in mapping and critically reading precedents and/or source texts, and aid students in defining the context for their thesis. Interplay between design studies, precedent studies, context studies and the formulation of text is emphasised, and studies may precede text or the other way around. With the aid of these activities, and in dialogue with the examiner and supervisor, students develop a final draft of their project plan for the master's thesis. The project plan should contain a thesis title, an abstract, a bibliography and a schedule of the master's thesis semester. It should in addition contain design studies, precedent studies, context studies, material studies and/or arguments laid out in writing, as outlined in a course description.

Organisation

Students are divided in groups based on assigned master's thesis examiner(s) and supervisor(s). Based on the course plan, each team of examiner(s) and supervisor(s) present their own course description and set of specific deliverables.

The brief and its context is introduced in an introductory presentation. Learning is structured around assignments and/or feedback provided in desk crit sessions. Students work individually or in pairs, depending on how they are planning on pursuing their thesis.

Masters thesis preparation course 1 and Masters thesis preparation course 2 can be combined with a design studio of 22,5 hp in MPARC or MPDSD during the same semester. For scheduling reasons, students are advised against combing these courses with courses/studio of 7,5 hp or 15 hp (so called Track 2 courses).

Literature

To be announced in a bibliography in each course brief.

Examination including compulsory elements

Student are required to participate actively in a minimum of 80% of all scheduled activities. The project plan is reviewed and graded after submission at the end of the semester.

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.