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Unit of study_

DESA1004: Designing with Surfaces and Light

Intensive July, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Objects only become visible when light reflects off of them. This online unit explores the ways in which light interacts with surfaces, objects, and the human visual system. Architectural design decisions regarding the lighting, as well as exterior and interior surfaces of a building, alter the perceptual experience of users and should be done thoughtfully. This unit introduces students to the way humans perceive and experience the built environment. It covers some of the fundamental properties of light, mechanisms of human perception, and the ways that light interacts with surfaces. The application of these topics to design decisions is also discussed. Students demonstrate their understanding of the presented material and apply their knowledge to critically analyse their own environments. Due to the high volume of interest in this course, all questions and enquiries will be answered in online discussion forums on Canvas, instead of in face-to-face consultation. No early results are available for this unit. No extensions will be granted because of failed internet access.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DESA1004
Academic unit Architectural and Design Science
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
DESA2612
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Koji Ryui, koji.ryui@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Evaluation of the visual environment
Essay
40% Week 03
Due date: 07 Jul 2021 at 23:59
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Evaluation of a lighting design
Essay
60% Week 05
Due date: 21 Jul 2021 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assignment 1: Evaluation of a visual environment

750 words / Essay

This assignment enables students to apply the knowledge acquired from course modules (1 to 3) as well as an opportunity to explore and familiarise themselves with reference material. For this assignment, students are required to view a real word environment and explore light from a creative and scientific perspective. This assignment also encourages students to employ fundamental lighting design terminology. Students should support their response with relevant texts, media and comparative real-world examples.Refer to all extended assessment task descriptions and guidelines distributed in this unit of study for complete assessment information. Assessment category and type Submitted work Assignment, essay

Assignment 2: Evaluation of a lighting design

1000 words / Essay

This assignment enables students to respond directly to knowledge acquired from course modules (4to 10) as well as utilise lighting design terminology, personal research and observation. This assignment presents students with the opportunity to identifyand develop lighting design strategies for architectural spaces.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to light - part 1 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Introduction to light - part 2 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Light and surfaces Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Lighting design - part 1 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Lighting design - part 2 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Working on Assignment 1 Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Lighting design - part 3 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Designing with daylight part 1 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Designing with Daylight Part - 2 Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Colour vision Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Spatial vision Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment work Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Working on Assignment 2 Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please refer to Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a thorough understanding of the knowledge presented in learning modules and able to analyse light and its relationship to architectural design
  • LO2. use information effectively in a range of contexts and create new knowledge and understanding through writing and literacy skills and the process of research and inquiry
  • LO3. engage with and draw upon theoretical knowledge of light, efficiently and professionally
  • LO4. recognise and value communication as a tool for negotiating and creating a new understanding, interacting with others, and furthering learning
  • LO5. apply lighting knowledge in design contexts using innovation and problems solving skills
  • LO6. draw upon an extensive body of historical, theoretical, social and political knowledge when thinking through ideas and issues.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Delivery has been updated

This is a 6 credit point unit modified and offered as an intensive. Lesson plans and assessments may be adjusted to suit the duration. Please refer to any updates on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.