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Unit outline_

DESC9300: Research in Arch. and Design Science

Semester 1, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

TThis unit aims to prepare students for undertaking a research project in the various sub-disciplines of Architectural Science. It begins with the workshop-based presentation of foundations of experimental science relevant to research projects within these sub-disciplines. It highlights principles of experimental design and methods of data collection and analysis. Examples of previous projects undertaken by graduate students in Design Science will be presented, as appropriate, in any of the following areas: Audio and Acoustics, High Performance Buildings, Illumination Design and Sustainable Design. Although this unit has a focused pedagogy intended for all graduate students in Architectural Science, enrolment may be expected by other coursework students within the School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Architectural and Design Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ARCF9001
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jungsoo Kim, jungsoo.kim@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jungsoo Kim, jungsoo.kim@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Draft research proposal
n/a
30% Week 07 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation Final oral presentation
n/a
20% Week 13 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Final research proposal
n/a
50% Week 13 2500 word
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • First Draft of Research Proposal: The initial deliverable is a draft written Research Proposal that is to be developed in collaboration with your supervisor. (30%)
  • Oral Presentation: Each student is to orally present their proposed research project (probably supported by Powerpoint) to the class and others who will be invited to the presentations. (20%)

  • Final Research Proposal: The final deliverable is a written Research Proposal that is to be developed in collaboration with your supervisor. (50%)

Assessment criteria

Grade

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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 Unit introduction; Empirical research methods in Architectural Science Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Relating research purpose to research plan Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 Literature review Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Writing research proposal Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Research ethics, referencing Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 06 Individual supervision – please arrange times with your supervisor Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Individual supervision – please arrange times with your supervisor Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Individual supervision – please arrange times with your supervisor Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Individual supervision – please arrange times with your supervisor Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Individual supervision – please arrange times with your supervisor Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Individual supervision – please arrange times with your supervisor Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Individual supervision – please arrange times with your supervisor Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Proposal presentations. Presentation (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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.

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. understand the definition of research as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings (including synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes)
  • LO2. understand the development of well-formed research questions, and master the transformation of research questions into testable hypotheses in a research proposal
  • LO3. identify gaps in the literature related to the proposed research, such that the novelty of the student’s approach to answering the identified research question can be clearly established
  • LO4. appreciate the principal traditions underlying the work done in empirical research and to be able justify the methodology in the proposed research as both reliable and valid
  • LO5. evaluate the potential impact of the proposed research, and to clearly identify the connection between research purpose and research design.

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.

N/A

More information related to this unit will be provided in class.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

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.