Master of Architectural Science
Students in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Architectural Science are required to complete one of the following streams:
- Audio and Acoustics
- High Performance Buildings
- Illumination Design
- Sustainable Design
It is also possible for students in the Gradaute Certificate in Architectural Science to undertake a single stream of
- Facilities Management; or
Building Services
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
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Audio and Acoustics Stream |
|||
Core Foundational units |
|||
| DESC9200 Introduction to Architectural Science |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Core Advanced units |
|||
| DESC9011 Audio Production |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9090 Audio Systems and Measurement |
6 | A DESC9138 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9115 Digital Audio Systems |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9138 Architectural and Audio Acoustics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9201 Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9117 Sound Design for New Media |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Capstone |
|||
| DESC9134 Audio and Acoustics Seminar |
6 | A DESC9138 and DESC9011 P DESC9090 or DESC9133 |
Semester 1 |
Electives |
|||
| Electives may be chosen from across Table G or, with the permission of the Program Director, from any postgradaute course in the University. | |||
Research |
|||
| DESC9300 in combination with either a Report or Dissertation may replace the capstone unit with permission of the Program Director. | |||
| DESC9300 Research in Arch. and Design Science |
6 | N ARCF9001 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9031 Research Report |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. Available to Masters students only. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9045 Dissertation 1 |
12 | P 48 credit points and a WAM of at least 75 C ARCH9046 N ARCH9031 or PLAN9018 or ARCH9060 or PLAN9010 or PLAN9011 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9046 Dissertation 2 |
12 | C ARCH9045 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Recommended electives |
|||
| DESC9137 Spatial Audio |
6 | A DESC9138 and DESC9011 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9135 Digital Audio Production with ProTools |
6 | Intensive June |
|
| CAEL5035 The Art of Sound and Noise |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9153 Graduate Internship |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Masters students only. Graduate Diploma students with permission of the Program Coordinator. Advanced Standing will not be granted for this unit of study. |
Intensive December Intensive July Intensive November Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DESC9191 Building Acoustics and Noise Control |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9133 (offered in odd years) DESC9191 (offered in even years) | |||
Building Services
As the sustainability agenda focuses on optimisation 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. 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
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Building Services) |
|||
Core Foundational Unit |
|||
| DESC9200 Introduction to Architectural Science |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Core Advanced units |
|||
| DESC9067 Mechanical Services |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9196 Building Services |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Intensive March |
| DESC9201 Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Facilities Management
Facilities managers may take charge of office towers, convention centres, shopping complexes, hosptials or hotels.
This course builds on your technical qualifications through the addition of strategic management principles that drive high-performance buildings. you will learn to alogn building operations with organisational priorities and how building services and sustainable approaches produce value.
This research-led program is backed not only by the best of managerial decision-making, but also by the science of building services. The program uses th faculty's extensive facilities, including the only indoor environmental quality laboratory in the southern hemisphere. No other facilities managment program offers this integrated empirical approach.
Units of study
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Certificate in Architectural Science (Facilities Management) |
|||
Core Foundational unit |
|||
| DESC9200 Introduction to Architectural Science |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Core Advanced units |
|||
| DESC9048 Operational Facility Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9194 Asset and Facility Management |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9195 Building Economics |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Semester 1 |
High Performance Buildings
The High Performance Buildings stream adds to the building services management function, a strong emphasis on sustainability, energy use, building lifecycle and post construction facility management. Your studies will focus on how to use services, structures and materials to create and maintain high quality and productive indoor environments. You will learn how to reduce the energy consumption and costs of the built environment, to design and operate buildings for the best use of services and to create comfortable and productive indoor environments for building operators and occupants.
This Course is underpinned by our world recognised expertise in the area and our leading facilities, including the indoor Environment Quality Laboratory - unique in Australia and our Faculty.
Units of Study
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
High Performance Buildings Stream |
|||
Core Foundational units |
|||
| DESC9200 Introduction to Architectural Science |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9014 Building Construction Technology |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Core Advanced units |
|||
| DESC9067 Mechanical Services |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9201 Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9015 Building Energy Analysis |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9147 Sustainable Building Design Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9195 Building Economics |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Semester 1 |
Capstone |
|||
| DESC9674 Building Information Management |
6 | P DESC9200 and DESC9014 |
Semester 1 |
Electives |
|||
| Electives may be chosen from across Table G, or with the permission of the Porgram Director, from any postgraduate course in the University. | |||
Research Electives |
|||
| DESC93000 in combination with either a Report or Dissertation may replace the capstone with the permission of the Program Director. | |||
| DESC9300 Research in Arch. and Design Science |
6 | N ARCF9001 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9031 Research Report |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. Available to Masters students only. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9045 Dissertation 1 |
12 | P 48 credit points and a WAM of at least 75 C ARCH9046 N ARCH9031 or PLAN9018 or ARCH9060 or PLAN9010 or PLAN9011 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9046 Dissertation 2 |
12 | C ARCH9045 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Building Services Electives |
|||
| DESC9164 Lighting Technologies |
6 | N DESC9063 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9196 Building Services |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Intensive March |
| DESC9197 Energy Management and Code Compliance |
6 | P DESC9200 and DESC9014 |
Semester 2a |
| DESC9673 Intelligent Building Control Systems |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Facilities Managment Electives |
|||
| DESC9048 Operational Facility Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9074 Project Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9194 Asset and Facility Management |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Semester 1 |
Other electives |
|||
| DESC9148 Sustainable Building Design Practice |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9169 Daylight in Buildings |
6 | N DESC9106 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9153 Graduate Internship |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Masters students only. Graduate Diploma students with permission of the Program Coordinator. Advanced Standing will not be granted for this unit of study. |
Intensive December Intensive July Intensive November Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DESC9675 High Performance Facades |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
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
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Illumination Design Stream |
|||
Core Foundational unit |
|||
| DESC9200 Introduction to Architectural Science |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Core Advanced units |
|||
| DESC9167 Light and Vision |
6 | N DESC9085 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9166 Photometry and Colorimetry |
6 | N DESC9072 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9164 Lighting Technologies |
6 | N DESC9063 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9154 Lighting Design Software |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9201 Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9198 Subjective Analysis in Lighting Design |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Capstone |
|||
| DESC9152 Practice of Lighting Design |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Electives |
|||
| Electives may be chosen from across Table G or, with the permission of the Program Director, from any postgraduate course in the University. | |||
Research |
|||
| DESC9300 in combination with either a Report or Dissertation may replace the capstone unit with the permission of the Program Director. | |||
| DESC9300 Research in Arch. and Design Science |
6 | N ARCF9001 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9031 Research Report |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. Available to Masters students only. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9045 Dissertation 1 |
12 | P 48 credit points and a WAM of at least 75 C ARCH9046 N ARCH9031 or PLAN9018 or ARCH9060 or PLAN9010 or PLAN9011 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9046 Dissertation 2 |
12 | C ARCH9045 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Recommended electives |
|||
| DESC9153 Graduate Internship |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Masters students only. Graduate Diploma students with permission of the Program Coordinator. Advanced Standing will not be granted for this unit of study. |
Intensive December Intensive July Intensive November Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DESC9169 Daylight in Buildings |
6 | N DESC9106 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9195 Building Economics |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9147 Sustainable Building Design Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9148 Sustainable Building Design Practice |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9074 Project Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9195 Building Economics |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9196 Building Services |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Intensive March |
| DESC9197 Energy Management and Code Compliance |
6 | P DESC9200 and DESC9014 |
Semester 2a |
| DESC9673 Intelligent Building Control Systems |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9674 Building Information Management |
6 | P DESC9200 and DESC9014 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9675 High Performance Facades |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
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
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Sustainable Design Stream |
|||
Core Foundational units |
|||
| DESC9200 Introduction to Architectural Science |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9014 Building Construction Technology |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Core Advanced units |
|||
| DESC9015 Building Energy Analysis |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9147 Sustainable Building Design Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| DESC9169 Daylight in Buildings |
6 | N DESC9106 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9201 Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| ARCH9080 Urban Ecology, Design and Planning |
6 | N PLAN9048 |
Semester 2 |
Capstone |
|||
| DESC9148 Sustainable Building Design Practice |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Electives |
|||
| Electives may be chosen from across Table G, or with the permission of the Program Director, from any postgraduate course in the University. | |||
Research electives |
|||
| DESC9300 in combination with either a Report or Dissertation may replace the capstone unit with the permission of the Program Director. | |||
| DESC9300 Research in Arch. and Design Science |
6 | N ARCF9001 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9031 Research Report |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. Available to Masters students only. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9045 Dissertation 1 |
12 | P 48 credit points and a WAM of at least 75 C ARCH9046 N ARCH9031 or PLAN9018 or ARCH9060 or PLAN9010 or PLAN9011 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Departmental Permission will be required to enrol in this unit. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ARCH9046 Dissertation 2 |
12 | C ARCH9045 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Electives in Sustainable Architecture |
|||
| MARC4002 Sustainable Architecture Research Studio |
12 |
This studio cannot be taken in the same semester with MARC4001 or MARC4003. Students may incur materials costs in this unit. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DESC9674 Building Information Management |
6 | P DESC9200 and DESC9014 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9675 High Performance Facades |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Electives in Sustainable Resources |
|||
| SUST5001 Introduction to Sustainability |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| SUST5003 Energy and Resources |
6 | C SUST5001 |
Semester 1 |
| PHYS5034 Life Cycle Analysis |
6 |
Minimum class size of 5 students. |
Semester 2 |
| PHYS5033 Environmental Footprints and IO Analysis |
6 |
Minimum class size of 5 students. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Other electives |
|||
| DESC9067 Mechanical Services |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| DESC9164 Lighting Technologies |
6 | N DESC9063 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9138 Architectural and Audio Acoustics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PLAN9068 History and Theory of Planning and Design |
6 | N PLAN9031 or ARCH9062 or ARCH9031 |
Semester 1 |
| PLAN9064 Land Use and Infrastructure Planning |
6 | A ARCH9100 |
Semester 2 |
| DESC9153 Graduate Internship |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment Masters students only. Graduate Diploma students with permission of the Program Coordinator. Advanced Standing will not be granted for this unit of study. |
Intensive December Intensive July Intensive November Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DESC9195 Building Economics |
6 | P DESC9200 |
Semester 1 |
| DESC9197 Energy Management and Code Compliance |
6 | P DESC9200 and DESC9014 |
Semester 2a |