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Unit of study_

MARC5400: Professional Practice

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

The Professional Practice unit of study aims to develop an understanding of the core ethical, legal, regulatory and practice management frameworks in which architects operate. The unit covers issues of professional ethics relating to service and practice management; introduces students to relevant contract law, building contracts and the agreement between client and architect. It provides knowledge in evaluating methods of procurement and methods of determining probable construction costs as commonly prepared by an architect. The unit aims to provide knowledge and skills in using the BCA and relevant Australian Standards and instructs students in the production of efficient and comprehensible working drawings, specifications, schedules and other relevant modes of information.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MARC5400
Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
MARC5102
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

BDES3025 or equivalent

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rebecca McLaughlan, rebecca.mclaughlan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rebecca McLaughlan, rebecca.mclaughlan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Weekly questions on lecture content
3-5 short-answer questions per week, available to answer via Canvas.
20% Ongoing
Due date: 25 May 2023 at 11:59
13 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Designing with legislation / Communicating with your client
Create documents relevant to sketch design and planning approval processes.
35% Week 05
Due date: 23 Mar 2023 at 23:59
3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO6
Assignment Contract Documents and the Communication of Design Intent
Create documents relevant to construction documentation and procurement.
45% Week 10
Due date: 04 May 2023 at 11:59
5 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6

Assessment summary

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per University and School policy

Assessment criteria


All assessment tasks for this course have been designed to reflect the stages – and corresponding documentation required – for a residential architectural project.

Marking rubrics for each assignment will be uploaded via Canvas, in accordance with the University’s guidelines:

Result code

Result name

Mark range

Description

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

CR

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

PS

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

AF

Absent fail

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

 

For further information visit: https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html

 

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 Note, all lectures are delivered online. Tutorials will be on campus. Refer to Canvas for details. Week 1: Introduction to Professional Practices, Ethics and Obligations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 How Projects Happen: Engaging Clients and Services Agreements Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 Legislation and its Relationship to the Design Process Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Legislation and its Relationship to Design Quality Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Working with Consultants and Designing for Safety Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 Working Drawings: Why they Matter Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 Specifications: Drawings in Written Form? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 The Complex World of Project Procurement Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 Even More Complex Procurement and the Architect on Site Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 The Architect on Site Continues Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 11 Risk Management and Quality Assurance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 Research, Consultation and Collaboration in Practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 Recapping Key Concepts and Planning for Registration Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study.

This is as per the Resolutions of the School of Architecture (Part 3, 8.2), refer: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2022/542&RendNum=0

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

The only required readings will be those required to support assignment tasks. These will be provided via 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 an understanding of the ethics, regulatory requirements and obligations pertaining to professional architectural practice.
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of different types of architectural engagement; and how different contractual agreements can vary the role and responsibilities of an architect through the design and procurement process.
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the role of architectural drawings and specifications as contract documents, including industry standards and processes for communication.
  • LO4. demonstrate a theoretical understanding of various project procurement types, and the architect’s role and obligations in relation to those.
  • LO5. demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the role and obligations of the architect during construction, including communication standards and practices.
  • LO6. demonstrate a theoretical understanding of safety, risk management, and quality assurance, in the context of professional architectural practice.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - AACA
1.1 (PC1). Understand the regulatory requirements and obligations pertaining to practice as an architect, including professional codes of conduct and obligations for continuing professional development and professional indemnity insurance.
1.2 (PC15). Understand legal and ethical obligations relating to copyright, moral rights, authorship of cultural knowledge and intellectual property requirements across architectural services.
LO2
National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - AACA
1.1 (PC5). Understand the essential elements of a client architect agreement, across the range of procurement methods and the different scales and types of project.
1.1 (PC6). Understand appropriate processes for reporting and varying the scope of services provided by an architect.
1.1 (PC7). Understand appropriate processes for clear and consistent communication with clients and relevant stakeholders throughout a project, including obtaining approvals from clients and stakeholders.
LO3
National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - AACA
1.2 (PC13). Have knowledge of documentation processes that facilitate project delivery appropriate to selected procurement processes.
3.1 (PC46). Understand the processes for producing project documentation that meets the requirements of the contract and procurement procedure and complies with regulatory controls, building standards, codes, and conditions of construction and planning approvals.
3.1 (PC47). Be able to complete and communicate on-time, accurate documents for relevant stakeholders, including drawings, models, specifications, schedules and construction documentation.
LO4
National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - AACA
1.1 (PC9). Understand contemporary and emerging building procurement methods. This involves identifying the most appropriate form of delivery for a project, including associated risks, mitigation and adaptation strategies, and understanding appropriate construction and consultant contracts and agreements.
4.1 (PC48). Understand available procurement methods and their application to project delivery, considering relevant factors including project type, scale and coordination of contractors
4.1 (PC51). Understand the process of selecting qualified contractors in accordance with an agreed procurement method and construction contract.
LO5
National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - AACA
4.1 (PC54). Understand the purpose of periodic site visits of construction works for quality assurance.
4.1 (PC55). Understand methodologies for record keeping, document control and revision status during the construction phase.
4.1 (PC56). Understand the purpose of identification of defects, rectifications and approval substitutions.
4.1 (PC57). Understand the principles of contract administration, including certification, variations, instructions, requests for information and practical completion.
4.1 (PC58). Understand the contract components – including all documents – and the process of executing a contract, as defined within the construction contract and in accordance with relevant building and planning codes.
LO6
National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - AACA
1.1 (PC2). Understand the role of quality assurance systems in facilitating efficient and timely delivery of architectural services.
1.2 (PC16). Understand risk management and mitigation principles and strategies – including safety in design, project risk, requirement for resilience from the impacts of climate change and appropriate insurances – across architectural services.

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

This unit has been re-designed for 2023 in response to the revised Professional Competencies for Architectural Practice. We will be seeking student feedback throughout the semester to support a process of continuous improvement into the future.

Tutorials have been organised to mimic the working environment of a small architectural practice. This includes opportunities for complex material to be explored through discussion and learning tasks designed to enhance understanding. Tutorials will provide opportunities to obtain support from tutors and peers while completing the various assignment tasks.

You are expected to watch the relevant week’s lectures, and complete any specified pre-reading, prior to attending the tutorial. Lectures and reading materials will be made available 6 days in advance of each tutorial.

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.