Bachelor of Design Studies B.DesSt
2008

Location:	North Terrace Campus
Duration:	3 years (full time)
Degree:	Bachelor

Program Outline

Design is an activity that requires creativity, critical thinking and the ability to understand and respond to the needs and aspirations of people and the possibilities of our environment. Design in the Bachelor of Design Studies degree focuses on the way humans create places through architecture, landscape architecture and urban design.

The three-year Bachelor of Design Studies degree can be taken alone or as the first part of the professionally accredited academic programs of Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture.  Alternatively, the Bachelor of Design Studies program provides a study pathway for students who wish to undertake the Master of Design in Digital Media program.

The program involves the arts and the sciences, writing and graphics, design and analysis, management and engineering, together with architecture, landscape architecture and urban design. Students will find themselves involved in practical aspects of the program, such as designing, making models, visiting building sites and gardens, visiting art galleries and exhibitions, and absorbing aspects of the society in which people live and formulating proposals for improving the environment.

Related Programs

Admission Information

Admissions information for domestic and international students.

Areas of Specialisation

B.Des.St. (Architectural Studies Major)

An architectural studies major is taken by students wishing to study in the field of architecture and the built environment, particularly if they intend to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies and Master of Architecture academic programs and become a professional architect.

 B.Des.St. (Landscape Studies Major)

A landscape studies major is taken by students wishing to study in the field of landscape architecture, particularly those wishing to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies and Master of Landscape Architecture academic programs and become a professional landscape architect.

 B.Des.St. (Architectural and Landscape Studies Major)

An architectural and landscape studies major is taken by students wishing to study in both fields of architecture and landscape architecture, particularly if they intend to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies with the Master of Architecture/Master of Landscape Architecture double-degree academic program and become a professional architect and landscape architect.

 B.Des.St. Without a Major

Students may choose to complete the Bachelor of Design Studies with no major if they do not intend to pursue their education to the professional degrees of Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture. If in the future graduates from this degree (without a major) wish to enrol in the Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture, they would be required to enrol in, and pass, Architecture Design Studio or Landscape Architecture Design Studio.

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Level I: Introduces the fundamentals of design, its communication in traditional and digital media, the natural and urban systems in which design is located, the ways that designs are constructed, and the history of settlements with its key ideas and outcomes.

Level II: Develops skills and knowledge in the inter-relationships of environment, people and technology in design as well as the relationships between cultures and design in the past and in contemporary situations.

Level III: Offers choices of more advanced studios in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and/or digital media along with the specialised knowledge in natural and landscape systems needed by landscape architects. Elective courses are available at all levels.

Please note: All courses are changing to 3-unit value, therefore there will be changes to these study plans in 2009.

Architectural Studies major:

Level I
Core courses: DESST 1027 Human Environments: Design and Representation DESST 1030 History of Settlements DESST 1029 Construction and Design: Theory and Practice DESST 1028 Natural and Urban Systems Electives:* DESST 1009 Art History and Theories IA and IB Special Topic in Design Studies **
Level II
Core courses: DESST 2037 Cultures, Histories and Designed Environments DESST 2036 Technology in Design Electives:* DESST 2033 Art History and Theories IIA and IIB DESST Islamic Architecture and Gardens II DESST 2012 Colonial and Contemporary Issues in South Asian Architecture II DESST Conservation in the Built Environments II DESST 2038 Digital Media II Special Topic in Design Studies **
Level III
Core Courses: DESST 3207 Design for Sustainable Community DESST 3209 Architecture Design Studio Electives:* DESST Islamic Architecture and Gardens III DESST 3012 Colonial and Contemporary Issues in South Asian Architecture III DESST 3030 Landscape Architecture Design Studio DESST 3028 Natural and Landscape Systems DESST Conservation in the Built Environments III DESST 3031 Digital Media Studio Special Topic in Design Studies * *

*Elective courses can also be taken from other Schools in the University as long as they are at the appropriate level and are the equivalent unit value.

**There are a range of Special Topic courses offered in the School, including but not limited to: Special Topic in landscape studies, environmental performance, urbanism, and Aboriginal Architecture. Please note that not all Special Topic courses are offered each year.

  

Landscape Studies Major

Level I
Core courses: DESST 1027 Human Environments: Design and Representation DESST 1030 History of Settlements DESST 1029 Construction and Design: Theory and Practice DESST 1028 Natural and Urban Systems Electives:* DESST 1009 Art History and Theories IA and IB Special Topic in Design Studies **
Level II
Core courses: DESST 2037 Cultures, Histories and Designed Environments DESST 2036 Technology in Design Electives:* DESST 2033 Art History and Theories IIA and IIB DESST Islamic Architecture and Gardens II DESST 2012 Colonial and Contemporary Issues in South Asian Architecture II DESST Conservation in the Built Environments II DESST 2038 Digital Media II Special Topic in Design Studies **
Level III
Core Courses: DESST 3207 Design for Sustainable Community DESST 3028 Natural and Landscape Systems DESST 3030 Landscape Architecture Design Studio Electives:* DESST 3029 Architecture Design Studio DESST Islamic Architecture and Gardens III DESST 3012 Colonial and Contemporary Issues in South Asian Architecture III DESST Conservation in the Built Environments III DESST 3031 Digital Media Studio Special Topic in Design Studies **

*Elective courses can also be taken from other Schools in the University as long as they are at the appropriate level and are the equivalent unit value.

**There are a range of Special Topic courses offered in the School, including but not limited to: Special Topic in landscape studies, environmental performance, urbanism, and Aboriginal Architecture. Please note that not all Special Topic courses are offered each year.

  

Architecture and Landscape Architecture major:

Levels I and II are the same as Architecture or Landscape Major.

Level III
Core courses:  DESST 3207: Design for Sustainable Community DESST 3028: Natural and Landscape Systems DESST 3029: Architecture Design Studio DESST 3030: Landscape Architecture Design Studio Electives: No electives available.

Design Studies without a major:

Levels I and II are the same as Architecture or Landscape Major.

Level III

Core course: DESST 3207: Design for Sustainable Community Electives:* DESST 3028: Natural and Landscape Systems DESST 3030: Landscape Architecture Design Studio DESST 3029: Architecture Design Studio DESST Islamic Architecture and Gardens III DESST 3012: Colonial and Contemporary Issues in South Asian Architecture III DESST Conservation in the Built Environments III DESST 3031: Digital Media Studio Special Topic in Design Studies **

*Elective courses can also be taken from other Schools in the University as long as they are at the appropriate level and are the equivalent unit value.

** There are a range of Special Topic courses offered in the School, including but not limited to: Special Topic in landscape studies, environmental performance, urbanism, and Aboriginal Architecture. Please note that not all Special Topic courses are offered each year. 

Career Opportunities

What is the pathway to becoming an architect or landscape architect?

The Bachelor of Design Studies followed by the Master of Architecture is recognised by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) and accredited by the Architects Board of South Australia. These two programs can be completed in 5 years of study.  A total of two years practical experience, at least one of which must be taken after graduation, and an examination by the Architects Registration Board are prerequisites to registration as an architect.   

A similar pathway applies for aspiring landscape architects, with the Master of Landscape Architecture being recognised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and examined by the Registered Landscape Architects Board for registration.

It is important to note that although most B.Des.St. graduates continue in either architecture and/or landscape architecture or digital media, some follow a variety of career directions.  The B.Des.St. leads to careers which require skills in analysing and interpreting situations, the use of creative decision making approaches, and the formulation of proposals for change or conservation.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Design Studies are well equipped to continue on to a broad spectrum of future studies in other fields because of the program's emphasis on critical thinking, creative action, communication skills and digital technologies. These pathways could include teaching, health sciences, environmental law, international development, urban and regional planning, marketing and business.

Potential careers

Planning Officer / Urban Planner, Town Planning Engineer, Landscape Architect, Architect

Graduate Attributes

School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Postgraduate Program Graduate Attributes  

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Design Studies followed by the Master of Architecture is recognised by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) and accredited by the Architects Board of South Australia.

The Bachelor of Design Studies followed by the Master of Landscape Architecture being recognised by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and examined by the Registered Landscape Architects Board for registration.

 

Useful Links

• Design Studies Program Information Leaflet
• School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre enquiry form

Program Rules

School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design