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DESST 4001A - Honours Design Studies Part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Students will be required to undertake supervised research in one or two advanced topics, thereby developing a thorough understanding of appropriate research techniques. The outcome of this research will be submitted in the form of a thesis, substantial essay or research report including a survey of the literature relevant to the topic(s) chosen. The range of topics to be offered in any year will depend on staff availability. Topics expected to be offered from time to time include: Architectural & Landscape Architectural History Australian Architectural & Landscape Architectural History Australian Urban Design History & Practice Computer-Aided Design Computer Applications in Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Urban Design Conservation in the Built Environment Criticism and Architecture & Landscape Architecture Cross-Cultural Architectural & Landscape Architectural Topics Dryland Landscape Design Heritage Conservation & Cultural Landscapes Islamic Architecture & Garden Design Issues in Sustainable Architecture & Urban Design Plants in Design Project Management South East Asian Architecture & Landscape Architecture Theories in Modern Architecture & Landscape Architecture Thermal Design of Buildings Urban Design Histories & Theories Urban Design in Islamic or South East Asian Places Urban Ecology.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code DESST 4001A
    Course Honours Design Studies Part 1
    Coordinating Unit Architecture and Landscape Architecture
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Ehsan Sharifi

    Every student will have an honours supervisor based on their project.
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:


    1 Independently locate sources of information that will assist with the understanding of a real-world problem in Architecture, Design, Landscape or Construction. 
    2 Critically evaluate the validity, coverage and gaps in such sources of information.
    3 Develop a statement of a research question or hypothesis, identifying an issue of which there is incomplete understanding.
    4 Design and execute an investigation, experiment or theoretical study to answer the research question.
    5 Present the background and findings of the research investigation in a thesis, in a seminar and at poster exhibitions.
    6 Apply an advanced level of theoretical and technical understanding to devise solutions to complex identified problems.
    7 Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and flexibly as a member of a team, contributing to team leadership as the situation requires.
    8 Demonstrate the ability to communicate, in writing and verbally, advanced technical concepts to both technically informed and technically uninformed audiences.
    9 Apply project management techniques to devise and synthesise engineering solutions to complex, open ended problems.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    3, 4, 6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    7, 8, 9

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 6, 7

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    7, 8

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    1, 4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1, 2, 9

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Required resources for each project will be provided by the supervisors via Library resources.
    Recommended Resources
    Required resources are project dependent and will be provided to the students by their supervisors.
    Online Learning
    Online learning is possible upon agreement with the project supervisors.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Weekly individual project consultations (at most fortnightly)

    Expectations from students:
    1. Regular, punctual attendance at project meetings.
    2. Consistent effort throughout the year totalling a minimum of 450 hours work.
    3. Timely submission of assessed items satisfying the requirements in the course profile.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The Honours project is an important element of an undergraduate education.
    It represents a substantial body of work and it is expected that students will spend 450 hours per year on their project.
    Note that if this effort is confined to the 12-week teaching semesters, then it amounts to over 18 hours work per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1-3 Project definition and problem statement 
    Week 4-8 Literature Review and Gap
    Week 9-11 Research Methods 
    Week 12-14 Project Update and Pilot Studies 

    Specific Course Requirements
    Students must maintain a GPA above 4.5 to enrol in the honours program in Architectural Design.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Oral presentation of the project in progress in Friday seminars between W10 and W14.
    Students will be individually evaluated after oral presentation by their supervisor and another internal staff member of ACE.
    30% overall honours grade will be applied in W14 (the rest 70% will be applied in DESST 4001B in the semester 2).

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Assessment criteria include: 
    • Adequate knowledge of the topic 
    • Feasibility of the project within 1-year timeframe
    • Written and verbal communication 
    • Ability to respond to feedback
    • Potential for future publication



    Assessment Detail
    A draft of the introduction, literature review and methodology sections of the thesis draft (5000-10000w) should be submitted by each student.

    Use a 12 pt font and 1.5 line spacing
    Be submitted in electronic form in pdf format
    Be succinctly written to cover the required topics
    Include a title page and list of references
    Submission
    Research proposal and mid-year review (5000-10,000w)
    PDF format
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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