DESC9202: Semester 2, 2021

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Units DESC9202 Semester 2 2021 [Block mode]

Unit of study_

DESC9202: Water Sensitive Design

Semester 2, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

As cities expand and weather becomes more unstable, the need to design buildings and neighbourhoods that use less water has become ever more important. This unit examines the emerging problems with water usage in the built environment and how design can tackle them. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to water sensitive design, drawing on insights from landscape urbanism, climate science, building services and sustainable architecture. The unit explores the changing valuation of water in the built environment and methods to improve ecological amenity and minimise net water use in buildings. By examining water sensitive strategies and technologies, students will be challenged to think beyond current approaches and apply their learning from this unit to demonstrate the way that design innovation can effectively address the challenge of water in the built environment.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	DESC9202
Academic unit	Architectural and Design Science
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Daniel Ryan, daniel.ryan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Daniel Ryan, daniel.ryan@sydney.edu.au
	Alexa McAuley, alexa.mcauley@sydney.edu.au
	David Knights, david.knights@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assignment 2 Proposal, Report	60%	Formal exam period	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 Report	40%	Week 07	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

You will write an in-depth report looking at how land has been transformed over time and the effect on the water cycle
You will prepare an illustrated report for a water sensitive design for a part of your study site

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Intro to the unit. Water sensitive cities frameworks part 1.	Lecture (5 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to the assignments; reading the land	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Water sensitive cities frameworks part 2. Case studies.	Lecture (5 hr)
Week 03	Review of draft research	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	WSD & Ecological Principles. WSD & Engineering principles. WSD & Landscape Principles. Best Practice case studies.	Lecture (5 hr)
Week 07	Introduction to assessment 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Planning & Policy. Zero Water Demand. Minimising Wastewater Discharge. Minimising Stormwater Runoff. Defining objectives and baselines.	Lecture (5 hr)
Week 09	Defining site objectives, baselines & best practice; basic calculations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Emerging issues and opportunities for water sensitive design	Lecture (5 hr)
Week 12	Draft presentation	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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

See canvas site

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. apply water sensitive design frameworks to evaluate the built environment
LO2. understand how stormwater can be transformed into a resource by integrated design and water sensitive technologies.
LO3. perform manual design calculations and evaluate different design strategies.
LO4. select water sensitive technologies for use in buildings and urban spaces.
LO5. find and critically evaluate information on water sensitive design.
LO6. communicate effectively about water sensitive design topics.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Course has been maintained following postitive feedback last year. Additional emphasis on simple calculations added following feedback from students for more quantitative approaches.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Site visits will depend on evolving government health advice. See canvas for details.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

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