Postgraduate research

Research degrees

The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning offers three research degrees: the Master of Philosophy (Architecture), the Doctor of Philosophy and the Doctor of Science in Architecture. As well as the information in this Handbook candidates should also acquire a copy of the Postgraduate Research handbook available free from the Student Administration Centre or online at sydney.edu.au/architecture/CS/handbook.shtml. This publication is an important resource for policies and practical advice relating to your candidature.


Master of Philosophy (Architecture) (MPhil(Arch))
The research masters program allows a candidate to undertake research and advanced specialisation in any of the areas of scholarship and research undertaken by the faculty. Entry requirements for the MPhil(Arch) include a bachelor degree in a relevant discipline. The program is generally completed in four semesters full time or eight semesters part time. The final thesis for the Master of Philosophy (Architecture) is expected to be in the range of 30,000 – 60,000 words.


Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
This research degree is awarded for a thesis considered to be a substantial, original contribution to the discipline concerned. Entry requirements include a research master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with first or second class honours. Alternatively you may be admitted having passed a qualifying examination at an equivalent standard. This examination could be completion of a period of relevant advanced study and research towards a master's degree at the University of Sydney. The PhD is normally completed within eight semesters full time or 16 semesters part time. The final thesis for the Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture) is expected to be in the range of 50,000 – 80,000 words.


Doctor of Science in Architecture (DScArch)
This degree is awarded for published work which, in the opinion of the examiners, has generally been recognised by scholars in the field concerned as a distinguished contribution to knowledge or creative achievement. The candidate shall be a graduate of at least five years standing. If the candidate is not a graduate of the University of Sydney he or she must have been a full-time member of academic staff of the University for at least three years or have had similar significant involvement in the teaching and research of the University.

Disciplines

The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning is a multidisciplinary faculty. Within the structure of the faculty there are no formal schools or departments. However, to assist research students to maintain a close relationship to other students and academics of similar academic interest to them, a range of disciplines have been established. These are:

• Architecture and Allied Arts
• Architectural and Design Science
• Design Lab
• Urban and Regional Planning and Policy.

Each discipline is under the leadership of a senior academic staff member, and usually closely involves research students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars as well as academic staff of that discipline. Their purpose is to promote a stimulating and productive atmosphere for research and research students and to promote discussion among like-minded research students and academics about their own research and other contemporary topics. This is usually done through a regular weekly (or other period) research seminar.

As part of their probationary requirements, research students are expected to make a public presentation of their research topic before the end of the first 12 months of candidature. The primary audience, apart from the supervisor, associate supervisor, and other academic staff and researchers with close interest in the subject, is students in the discipline. It is anticipated however that such presentations will be made known to the entire faculty staff and research student body.

Disciplines have no official status for students and are not recorded on academic transcripts.

Students are directed to a discipline by the Student Administration Centre on the basis of the academic interests of their supervisor. However, it is up to the student to take an interest in that group or any other group.

Requirements of your candidature

All students are required to make timely progress with their research and to submit their theses on time. Students commencing from 2005 have the following maximum time limits:

• PhD €’ full-time candidature: 8 semesters
• PhD €’ part-time candidature: 16 semesters
• MPhil €’ full-time candidature: 4 semesters
• MPhil €’ part-time candidature: 8 semesters.

It is important that you keep in regular contact with your supervisor, ideally meeting once a week especially during crucial periods of your candidature. To ensure that students progress satisfactorily, all research students are placed on probation for two semesters and are required to fulfil certain criteria. These are listed below. Once the service requirements have been completed satisfactorily, candidature will proceed on a permanent basis.

Any change in candidature (such as suspension or change in supervisor) must be agreed with your supervisor and notified in writing to the Student Administration Centre.

Probationary requirements

The requirements for satisfactory completion of the probationary period include:

(a) the submission of a satisfactory Research Proposal to the candidate€™s PhD committee.

(b) the presentation of the Research Proposal to the candidate€™s committee at a public seminar.

(c) demonstration of adequate English language competency to the candidate€™s committee.

(d) completion of the unit of study ARCF 9001 Modes of Inquiry: Research and Scholarship in the first semester of enrolment.

(e) satisfactory completion of a structured first year as determined by the Associate Dean (Research) in consultation with supervisors in disciplinary areas.

(f) a recommendation from the candidate€™s supervisor, on the advice of the candidate€™s committee, that the probationary requirements have been met.

Supervision committee

A supervision committee is established for each candidate during their probationary year and consists of your supervisor and one or more other members of the academic staff selected by your supervisor in consultation with you.

The role of the committee is to act both as a resource concerning candidature and as an assessment committee for your probationary requirements. As part of the committee you need to select an associate supervisor, if one has not already been appointed.

Guidelines for your research proposal

The first year of the MPhil and PhD is probationary. You need to demonstrate that you are capable of carrying out doctoral or master’s-level research at the University of Sydney and to satisfy the probationary requirements listed in the faculty resolutions and set by your supervisor. During this year students are expected to demonstrate the capacity to undertake research at a doctoral or masters degree level. This is done through the development, submission, presentation and assessment of a formal research proposal. The thesis research proposal is presented to your supervision committee. It is on the basis of your research proposal that your committee makes a recommendation concerning your continuing candidature.

The research proposal should be 7,000 to 12,000 words long (15€’25 pages) and include the following:

(a) the area and focus of the proposed research, along with a set of aims and objectives and the importance of the research,

(b) critical literature review that establishes the background of the proposed research and identifies gaps that this research proposal will address,

(c) an indication of the ability to make progress with the research,

(d) research plan including research design, details of methods, management plan and time lines tied to the objectives, and

(e) potential outcomes if the research is successful.

Your formal research proposal should demonstrate adequate English language skills and your ability to successfully complete such a program. Research proposals will be presented at a public research seminar.

Criteria used to evaluate research proposals

The general criteria used to evaluate student research proposals are as follows:

(a) Are the aims and objectives clearly stated, feasible and consistent with the faculty€™s research interests?

(b) Does the student demonstrate knowledge of the key areas of the research literature?

(c) Is the research plan viable?

(d) Is the proposed methodology sound and feasible?

(e) Do the potential outcomes merit the research proposal?

(f) Are there adequate resources available to enable the candidate to complete the proposed research?

(g) Do the proposal and its written and oral presentation indicate a satisfactory command of English, sufficient to enable the applicant to undertake MPhil or PhD research at the University of Sydney?

The major part of the research must be completed within the University, although a period of six months leave may be granted by the Associate Dean (Research) to enable fieldwork to be completed.

Annual progress report and interview

You are required to submit a progress report annually (usually in October), regardless of when you commenced your candidature. This is reviewed by your supervisor and the Associate Dean (Research) and you will be notified of the result of this review, when any problem areas or training needs are identified. Around the time of your first annual progress review, you will be interviewed by the Associate Dean (Research) to discuss your general progress, facilities, resources and supervision.

Suspension of candidature

If you need to suspend your candidature, you should put your request in writing (stating the reasons) to your supervisor, who will then make a recommendation via the Student Administration Centre to the Associate Dean (Research) for approval. A form for this purpose may be found on the Current Students page of the faculty website. You will receive written confirmation of the suspension. Suspension of candidature is by semester, and except with the approval of the Associate Dean (Research) you may suspend your candidature for a total of two full-time semesters only. During suspension your RTS (Research Training Scheme) scholarship will be suspended, as will scholarship payments. You will be granted an extension to your candidature equivalent to the length of the suspension. International students may be required to leave the country while their candidature is suspended and should seek advice from the International Office before taking any action.

Leave of absence

If you need to take a break from your research for less than a semester, a leave of absence may be granted. You should follow the same procedure as for suspension (see above). You will not be granted an extension to your candidature for a leave of absence but you may, if not quite finished by the due date, apply for an extension equivalent to the length of absence.

Extension of time

If, as your latest submission date approaches, it becomes obvious that you need more time, you are urged to discuss this with either the Student Administration Centre or the Associate Dean (Research) at the first available opportunity. Late submission of theses is a serious concern for the faculty and the earlier we know about it the easier it will be to take action to help you and us.

Coursework for research students

Students in research degrees may include up to 24 credit points of coursework in their studies, including Modes of Inquiry.

Students who require some background in a particular area that is of relevance to their research may, with the approval of their supervisor, request to enrol in other undergraduate or postgraduate units of study offered by this or other faculties.

The unit of study listed below is a probationary requirement for all MPhil and PhD students of the Faculty.

Research centres

AHURI Housing and Urban Research Centre

The AHURI Research Centre is a University-wide research centre housed in the faculty. Concerned with the breadth of housing research concerns, current research is focusing on the socio-cultural, economic and health impacts of housing, the comparative assessment of housing worldwide and the analysis and development of Australian housing policy. Like all research centres in the faculty, it offers the opportunity to carry out research towards the MPhil(Arch) or PhD under supervision of internationally recognised academic staff actively working on these and other research questions.

Ian Buchan Fell Housing Research Centre

Ian Buchan Fell, who died in 1961, left the income from his estate to the University for the promotion and encouragement of education and research on housing. The centre is concerned with the needs of people relative to their housing. These needs are related to the complex interactions between people, their housing and other aspects of the built environment.

Planning Research Centre

The Planning Research Centre€™s main purpose is to further fundamental research into physical planning and development. It also sponsors seminars in specialised fields, undertakes research and consultancy projects, runs professional development courses and promotes the publication of research material. It has an active membership comprised of members of government and industry.

Design Lab

The Design Lab (formerly the Key Centre of Design Computing and Cognition) was established by the University with funding provided by the former Department of Employment, Education and Training. The Design Lab€™s principal objectives are to improve the effectiveness and competitiveness of designers by providing better design decisions support through advanced computing technology. The philosophy of the Design Lab is to consider design as a discipline in its own right, requiring an interdisciplinary approach to its computational support. The Design Lab carries out teaching, research, development and consulting in the areas of design computing and design cognition.

It’s website is at: sydney.edu.au/architecture/design_lab/.

Areas of research interest

Architecture and Allied Arts

The faculty is recognised for excellence in the field of architectural history and theory with expertise in East Asian, European, American and Australian architecture. Research degrees may be completed in one of three key areas: Architectural History and Theory, Heritage Conservation or Housing. Research in Architectural History examines the creation and impact of the built environment with regard to technological, aesthetic, economic, social and cultural change. Research in architectural theory examines a diverse range of architectural topics through the lens of contemporary architectural theory. Heritage Conservation research studies encompass architectural, landscape and cultural heritage; this faculty was the first to teach courses in heritage conservation in Australia. Housing research is supported by the Ian Buchan Fell Housing Research Centre within the faculty and includes issues such as economic and community development in both Australia and in South East Asia.

For further information contact Associate Professor Chris Smith (

) or any member of the discipline.

Areas of research

Architectural Computing and Digital Media
Digital architecture
Generative architectural design
Parametric modelling
Digital design generation
Building information management (BIM)
Architectural animation

Architectural History and Theory
Twentieth century architectural history
Contemporary architectural theory
Australian architecture
East Asian architecture
European architecture
Urban history and theory
History and theory of sustainable architecture

Heritage Conservation
Landscape conservation
Conservation of render and decorative plasterwork
Facade retention
Conservation of 19th and 20th Century architecture
Social and aesthetic values in heritage
Acknowledging and evaluating the social and aesthetic values of heritage landscapes
Urban places and their assessment in World Heritage terms

Housing
Aboriginal housing
Student housing
Owner-building
Homeless youth
High-rise housing for the elderly
Medium density housing
Measurement of local and regional economic impacts
Regional development and planning
Computer applications in planning and measuring housing need
Allocating government resources for low income housing

Architectural and Design Science

Architectural and Design Science is the study of the physical aspects of architecture and design. The area encompasses studies in the physical and design aspects of lighting, daylighting, acoustics, thermal performance, wind effects, noise, sustainable buildings, structural systems and construction. It can also include studies in how people react to environments and the functional aspects of buildings in use. There are a number of leading researchers in Architectural Science within the faculty who provide expert supervision of research leading to higher degrees. It is possible to undertake some advanced coursework with your research studies.

For further information contact Professor Richard Hyde (

) or any member of the discipline.

Areas of research

Audio and Acoustics
Acoustics of small rooms
Reduction of noise entering through ventilation openings
Neural network analysis of auditoria design
Recording and reproduction of sound in rooms
Controlling feedback in audio systems
Increasing apparent reverberation time of rooms

Computational Intelligence Applications
Integrated models for the synthesis of complex structural systems
Applications of soft computing techniques in modelling and design of building structures
Intelligent project management Information systems
Smart Information systems for managing complex assets
Modelling community perceptions using soft computing techniques

Facilities Management
Building information modelling
Productivity in workplaces
Energy efficiency in the operations of buildings
Occupant impact on the sustainability of housing

Illumination
How people respond to the lit environment
Gloom and discomfort glare
Satisfaction with office working environments
Individual lighting control for people with poor vision
International Daylight Measurement Programme
Sky luminance distribution and models
Daylighting building interiors
Solar availability access and over shadow
Development of Australian/NZ/International lighting standards

Sustainable Design
Form and space making potential of sustainable design
History of climatic design in Australia
Simulation of Building Environmental Performance
Evaluation of Urban Microclimates
POE of Indoor Thermal Comfort and Air Quality

Design Lab

The aim of the Design Lab is to foster design as a means of knowledge production in its own right. Our view is that design is fundamentally a knowledge-producing activity. Different from the natural sciences, which studies the world as it is, the humanities, which studies the human condition, and the arts, which explores the possibilities of expression, design is a study of the world the way it could be through the creation and interrogation of the designed world.

Research and creative practice in the Design Lab span a range of disciplines from interaction design and electronic arts to computer science and social science.

We undertake these projects through multiple intellectual channels, having the scientific gaze with its systems of empiricism sit comfortably alongside the artistic approach with its attention toward conceptual possibilities. The projects themselves span politically charged and conceptually difficult terrains, dealing with questions on the biological innateness of design and its cultural and evolutionary pathways, the possibilities of experimental media at the juncture of art, society and technology, and speculative research into the inhabitation of the interface between humans and pervasive computing services.

Most important, the Design Lab provides a home where different people with different ways of knowing can connect, intersect and transform their work and their disciplines. It is a cultural mix of design theory and practice. The Design Lab provides the environment where the resources of research, of the production of knowledge, and of the interrogation of knowledge stem from design.

For further information contact Associate Professor Andy Dong
(

) or any member of the discipline.

Areas of research

Computational Design
Agent-based design
AI in design
Artificial life
Building information modeling (BIM)
Computational design modelling
Creative design systems
Curious agents
Emergence in design
Evolutionary design
Games design
Generative design systems
Mass customisation
Multi-agent systems (MAS)
Parametric modelling

Design Studies
Design cognition
Design discovery
Design thinking
Gestalt theory in design
Productive thinking in designing

Electronic Art and Design
Augmented reality performance
Cyborg culture
Dance and technology
Data art
Electronic art
Electronic body art
Embodiment in digital culture
Generative music
Generative sound
Gestural interaction
Information graphics
Installation art
Interactive audio
Interactive design
Interactive performance
Locative media art and performance
New media
Sensor-based art
Visual culture
Visual design
Wearable computing

Information Visualisation and Sonification
Aesthetic sonification
Agent-based visualisation
Ambient display
Auditory display
Data art
Information aesthetics
Information graphics
Information visualisation
Persuasive computing
Sonification
Physical computing
Wearable computing

Interaction Design
Computer-supported collaborative work
Electronic body art
Embodiment in digital culture
Interaction design
Interactive audio
Interactive installation art
Interactive sonification
Interactive video
Interface culture
Locative media art
Mobile art
Performative geography
Sensor-based interaction
Tangible user interfaces

Pervasive and Physical Computing
Mobile computing
Persuasive computing
Pervasive computing
Physical computing
Sensate environments
Sensor-based design
Wearable computing

Virtual Environments and Virtual Reality
Augmented reality
Augment reality performance
Augmented virtuality
Computer-supported collaborative design
Tangible user interfaces
Virtual environments
Virtual reality

Urban and Regional Planning and Policy

Urban and regional planning research has been established in the faculty since the late 1940s, covering a wide range of subject areas, including international studies with a focus on South East Asia and the Pacific; metropolitan planning; housing studies; regional policy and many other fields of policy and development. A recently established urban design program provides additional opportunities to conduct research into the design dimensions of urban form. Besides providing individual study areas for research, the faculty is home to an extensive library collection and the Planning Research Centre, which is an independent University foundation.

For further information contact Professor Alan Peters
(

) or any member of the discipline.

Areas of research
Urban planning and regional comparative planning systems
Collaborative environmental planning and management
Planning for environmental sustainability
Planning for housing accessibility, diversity and affordability
Coastal protection and growth
Australian Urban Land Use Planning Policy Monitor
Social and environmental justice
Community forestry
Political ecology
Natural resource management
Sustainable development and climate change
Urban policy and planning locally and internationally
Suburban economic development
Poverty and inequality
Rural communities
Community development and sustainable planning
Urban planning research and education
Gated communities
Tourism development in Pacific urban planning
Development aid policy
Environmental impact assessments (EIAs)
Housing policy in developing countries
Indigenous settlement and land tenure issues
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Economic development
Planning Support Systems
Visualisation
Commuting behaviour
Spatial decision making

Resolutions on the faculty for research degrees

The following resolutions of Senate and faculty constitute the main framework by which your candidature is governed and you should refer to them from time to time to check your progress to your award or when other circumstances arise that require adjudication.

The Doctor of Philosophy faculty rules should be read in conjunction with the University of Sydney (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)) Rule 2004.