Master of Architecture

Aims of the Master of Architecture

The basic aims of the professional Master of Architecture program are to provide the knowledge, skills and experience that will equip the graduate to be an architect. The practice of architecture today is, however, extraordinarily diverse and complex and no course could provide training in depth for all areas of practice. It is therefore essential that students obtain from the course a firm grounding in fundamentals, an ability to think creatively and logically, and a capacity to explore for themselves those areas they wish to pursue in detail.

Objectives of the Master of Architecture

The Master of Architecture program will enable:

• the student to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become an architect, noting the increasing complexity and diversity of the architect's role.

• the satisfaction, where possible, of the demands of the professional and statutory bodies for entry to the professional institute and to qualify for registration, with minimal additional examination, in the context of academic independence in the judgements it makes on the education it provides.

• the student to experience a range of attitudes and philosophies relating to architecture.

• the student to be exposed to and acquire a range of knowledge which is expected to result in graduates who can provide the community with the highest quality of architecture, including to be able to think clearly and be able to make reasoned judgements by having:

1. an understanding of and experience in architectural design
2. a knowledge of the history of architecture
3. a knowledge of theories of architecture
4. a knowledge of the materials, construction practices and production methods which are essential to architecture
5. the ability to absorb and interpret the needs of society and its peoples in relation to the built environment
6. a basic understanding of those technical fields which contribute to architecture
7. an understanding of the legal and professional responsibilities of practice as an architect
8. the ability to communicate clearly by oral, written and graphic means, and to organise and manage those aspects of the design and construction of a building which are the responsibilities of the architect.

Architectural design

The Master of Architecture program prepares students for the complex and challenging role of the professional architect. The program centres on design studios, supported by taught units in history and theory, advanced architectural technologies, and practice. In addition, there are a wide range of elective units from which students may choose in order to extend their knowledge and skills into other related areas.

The design studios are structured to respond to critical issues facing contemporary architectural design and to draw on the expertise in these issues of the faculty€™s specialist graduate programs and research activities. In this way, the studios both contribute to and are informed by faculty research. The areas of specialised study in the studios are:

• Urban Architecture
• Sustainable Architecture
• Digital Architecture

Students are required to complete four semesters of design units, each of which is vertically integrated, giving first and second year students the opportunity to work with and learn from each other. During their first three semesters students study in the Urban Studio, the Sustainability Studio and the Digital Studio, each for one semester and complete the Graduation Studio during their fourth semester as the capstone experience of their degree.

Professional recognition

Graduates who hold the degree of Master of Architecture will be entitled to registration as architects under the Architects Act 1921 (NSW), subject to obtaining two years of approved practical experience, at least 12 months of which must be subsequent to graduation, and passing an architectural practice examination before registration. Application for registration may be made to the NSW Architects Registration Board.

Students are eligible for student membership of the Australian Institute of Architects. Student members receive each issue of Architecture Australia, the New South Wales chapter Bulletin, and the AIA News. They may also attend Institute functions.

Admission to Associate Membership of the Australian Institute of Architects is based on two years approved practical experience.

Admission

The resolutions of the faculty (later in this handbook) specify the conditions of admission to the degree. In summary, an applicant for admission to the Master of Architecture must:

• either complete the Bachelor of Design in Architecture or an equivalent degree, with a WAM of at least 65, and
• have completed the Master of Architecture prerequisite units of study in their first degree, if proceeding from the Bachelor of Design in Architecture, and
• have completed the Architectural Experience Requirement.

The Architectural Experience Requirement can be satisfied by one of the following methods:

• by completing the Bachelor of Design in Architecture with Honours, or
• by completing professional work experience as an employee in architecture (minimum of 630 hours recorded in the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) Log Book), or
• by undertaking an approved University of Sydney international exchange in the first semester of enrolment, or
• by completing professional work experience in a related industry (minimum of 630 hours appropriately recorded), or
• by completing field study in relation to architecture (including, but not limited to, international field study), appropriately documented to the satisfaction of the faculty, and
• by completing a postgraduate qualification in a related discipline, or
• by a combination of methods above.

Students may apply to commence study in the Master of Architecture program in either Semester One or Two.

Construction Induction Certificate – Green Card

Students entering the Master of Architecture are strongly advised to undertake training for a Construction Induction Certificate, also known as a Green Gard. This certificate provides standardised training in safe working practice on building sites. It is required by law if you intend to enter any building site in NSW and is administered by WorkCover NSW. Training is subcontracted to private providers.

For more information including a directory of training providers please phone 13 10 50 or visit the WorkCover NSW website:
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Training/ConstructionInduction/default.htm

Master of Architecture Enrolment guide

The Master of Architecture is a two-year full-time degree. To qualify for the degree, candidates must complete the requirements as specified in the resolutions of the senate and faculty for this degree (see chapter 18). All students should read the degree resolutions and monitor their progress through the degree by reference to them. The following points summarise the resolutions but do not replace them.

Summary of requirements

In order to qualify for the award of the pass degree candidates:

• must maintain a full-time enrolment (18 credit points or more per semester €’ a normal full-time load is 24 credit points per semester, the maximum allowed is 30 credit points per semester).
• must complete successfully 96 credit points.
• must complete successfully 78 credit points from the core units of study as described in Table M.
• must complete successfully 18 credit points from elective units of study from those listed in Table M, or, with permission from the unit coordinator concerned (see Table G).

Planning your degree

The program has been designed so that some core units should be taken in a certain order and the remaining core and elective units fitted with them. A recommended enrolment planner for the core units of the degree follows.

Master of Architecture enrolment planner - Semester One commencement

Master of Architecture enrolment planner - Semester Two commencement

Units of study

Course rules