Master of Design Science

Students in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Design Science are required to complete one of the following streams:

• Audio and Acoustics
• Building Services
• Illumination Design
• Sustainable Design

It is also possible for Master of Design Science students to elect to undertake additional units of study to complete a second stream, which may include any two of the above streams, or the additional stream of

• Facilities Management.

The requirements for these streams are outlined in the tables of units of study and also in the course rules, both of which may be found below. The requirements of the individual streams are also detailed below.

Audio and Acoustics

The Audio and Acoustics program is unique in Australia and one of only a few comparable programs in the world. The program offers a balance of studio-based production subjects and theoretical and investigative subjects in acoustics and technical audio. It aims to extend students' existing skills to a high level of proficiency and professionalism in the various disciplines that contribute to the audio and acoustics fields. The program suits people with an academic and/or professional track record in audio or related areas, wishing to extend the breadth and level of their expertise.

The sound studios consist of a recording studio and a 5.1 format production studio. The acoustical laboratory has an anechoic room and a reverberant room, and is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustical measurement and analysis tools.

Students in the Audio and Acoustics program have the opportunity to develop a sophisticated understanding of and skills in, audio production and its application to new media, audio system and component design, audio and architectural acoustics, digital audio systems and electronics, and music as it relates to audio design.

Students are exposed to world-class research activity and have the opportunity to undertake research projects of their own. The program is currently developing in the areas of sound reinforcement system design, interactive sound design, spatial audio, psychoacoustics and advanced measurement methods.

Units of study

Building Services

As the sustainability agenda focuses on optimization of the carbon footprint of buildings, both initial and ongoing, it is essential that building services are understood by all stakeholders in the built environment. The Building Services program’s key objective is to impart this knowledge through a suite of core, optional and elective units of study that can be tailored to general or specialised interests.

The program is presented by a team comprising both industry and research leaders, and caters for graduates and practitioners wishing to advance their careers. Building services units of study include mechanical, electrical, hydraulics, fire safety, energy performance and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Flexibility of the Building Services program allows units from cognate programs such as Sustainable Design, Illumination Design, and Facilities Management, to be incorporated as Optional components. Furthermore Elective units may be taken from any other program offered within this Faculty, or from programs offered elsewhere within the University of Sydney.

Units of study

Facilities Management

The Facilities Management stream is available in the Master of Design Science as a secondary stream. See the Facilities Management entry below for details of this program which is offered primarily under its own named award courses.

Units of study

Illumination Design

This professional program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, including architecture, engineering, computer science, human factors, interior design and psychology.

Our entire visual experience depends on light. It has a profound impact on both the function and aesthetics of architectural spaces. The Illumination Design program offers strong technical education in human visual perception, methods for quantifying light, lighting technologies, and issues of sustainability. This field is enjoying rapid and exciting technological innovations and this program emphasizes the knowledge and critical thinking skills to enable students to adapt to, and even lead, future changes.

Upon successful completion of this masters coursework program, students are qualified for full membership in the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand, subject to the required practical experience.

Units of study

Sustainable Design

This program provides the necessary skills and knowledge to design energy-efficient and environmentally conscious buildings. It addresses the relationship between architecture and current environmental issues, and it explores environmentally sustainable architecture. The core units of study in this program are listed in Table G, 'Graduate units of study'. There is flexibility to study areas of specific interest to each student. Options are available in other related programs offered by the faculty (eg Building Services, Facilities Management, Illumination Design) and elective units may be taken from any other program in the faculty or from other relevant programs at the University of Sydney.

Units of study

Course rules