DESST 4001B - Honours Design Studies Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 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 Dry-land 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 4001B
    Course Honours Design Studies Part 2
    Coordinating Unit Architecture and Landscape Architecture
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 24
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites DESST 4001A in previous Semester
    Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Ehsan Sharifi

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

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    No information currently available.
    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 inArchitecture, 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 incompleteunderstanding.
    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 identifiedproblems.
    7 Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and flexibly as a member of a team, contributing to team leadership asthe situation requires.
    8 Demonstrate the ability to communicate, in writing and verbally, advanced technical concepts to both technicallyinformed and technically uninformed audiences.
    9 Apply project management techniques to devise and synthesise engineering solutions to complex, open endedproblems.
    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.
    Attending at least 4 Friday seminars is recommended. 
    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.
    Students must have taken and successfully completed  DESST 4001A in the semester 1 to take this course. 
  • 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.
    Thesis submission by 7 November - PDF format.
    Students will be provided feedback after oral presentation by their supervisor and another internal staff member of ACE (ungraded)
    70% overall honours grade will be applied after thesis submission by one internal and one external academics relevant to the topic (4 weeks lead time). 
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Thesis submissions will be evaluated based on:
    1. Demonstrated knowledge of the topic
    2. original research conducted
    3. Written and verbal communication
    4. Ability to respond to feedback
    5. Potential for future publication
    Assessment Detail
    The final honours thesis is approximately 20,000 words:

    The conventional thesis includes:


    • Introduction (1000w)
    • Literature review (6000w)
    • Methodology (3000w)
    • Results (5000w)
    • Discussion (3000w)
    • Conclusions (2000w) 

    Alternatively, two peer-reviewed papers (each 5000-8000w) can be joined by an introduction (1000w), further discussion (2000w) and conclusion (1000w) sections to form the thesis by publication. 

    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
    Honours Thesis (approximately 20,000w)
    PDF format
    Course Grading

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

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    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 Access Adelaide.

  • 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
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