Outline

Overview

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 the provision of architectural services and practice management; introduces students to the relevant legislative frameworks and approval practices that guide professional design practice; and familiarises students with common contractual agreements for architectural services, including procedures for procurement and contract administration. The unit aims to provide knowledge and skills in applying common regulatory frameworks through the design and documentation process.

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
Small continuous assessment	Continuous Ongoing Assessment A series of short Canvas quizzes (4) and in-class worksheets (2).	20%	Multiple weeks Due date: 10 May 2024 at 11:59	Occurs across the semester.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Document Folio 1: Working with Legislation Submit 3 documents related to planning compliance (includes 10% groupwork).	30%	Week 05 Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 23:59	3 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Document Folio 2: Contractor Selection & Contract Administration Submit 6 documents related to contract admin. (includes 5% group work).	50%	Week 11 Due date: 10 May 2024 at 11:59	5 weeks
Outcomes assessed:

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Professional Practices, Ethics & Obligations NOTE: WEEK 1 INCLUDES CANVAS LECTURE CONTENT & AN ON-CAMPUS LECTURE; PLEASE WATCH THE ONLINE CONTENT IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST TUTORIAL.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	How Projects Happen: Engaging Clients & Services Agreements	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Legislation & its Relationship to the Design Process	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Legislation & its Relationship to Design Quality	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Working with Consultants & Designing for Safety	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Working Drawings & Specifications & Why they Matter	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	The Complex World of Project Procurement	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	The Architect on Site	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Risk Management & Quality Assurance	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Research, Consultation & Collaboration in Practice	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Planning for Registration	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	No lectures this week (tutorials only)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	No lectures this week (tutorials only)	Lecture and tutorial (2 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

All course readings are closely aligned with the lectures and assessment tasks and will thus be provided via Canvas in advance of the relevant week. There is no recommended pre-reading for this course.

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.

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - 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.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - 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.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - 1.2 (PC13). Have knowledge of documentation processes that facilitate project delivery appropriate to selected procurement processes. 2.1 (PC32). Be able to apply planning principles and statutory planning requirements to the site and conceptual design of the project. 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.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - 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.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - 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.
	National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) - 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.

National Standard of Competency for Architects (2021) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
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.
1.1 (PC2)		Understand the role of quality assurance systems in facilitating efficient and timely delivery of architectural services.
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.
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.
1.2 (PC13)		Have knowledge of documentation processes that facilitate project delivery appropriate to selected procurement processes.
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.
2.1 (PC32)		Be able to apply planning principles and statutory planning requirements to the site and conceptual design of the project.
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.
4.1 (PC51)		Understand the process of selecting qualified contractors in accordance with an agreed procurement method and construction contract.
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.

Responding to student feedback

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

This course has been designed with a view to optimising its relevancy for developing real-world skills for architectural practice. We are thus committed to a process of ongoing improvement both within and across semesters. While students from 2023 confirmed the success of this unit, this year we have revised the major assessment to further improve its relevance. We will also be releasing all online lecture content across the first 11 weeks of semester to ensure it reaches you well in advance of end-of-semester studio deadlines and their associated time pressures.

Additional information

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

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 peer-supported learning tasks designed to enhance understanding. Tutorials will provide opportunities to obtain support from tutors and peers while completing the various assignment tasks.

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

Late submission

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MARC5400: Professional Practice

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Late submission

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect