Outline

Overview

This unit of study supports students to undertake individual research into a defined topic or problem within architecture, broadly defined. Topics can include any aspect of architecture for which adequate supervision can be made available. Specialisations include architectural design, the history or theory of architecture, architectural or building science, urban design, indigenous architecture, or architectural technology. Research methods may likewise be drawn from across the full breadth of disciplinary, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary practices in which architecture figures. The research may inform or be complementary to work being undertaken in the corresponding architecture design studio unit, but will be assessed on its own terms. The research may result in a written dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words' length, or its equivalent as a combination of creative work with an exegetical element. Independent research will be conducted in consultation with a supervisor, while regular seminars will address questions of practice and approach that will be common to the cohort. A digital and hardbound copy of the dissertation (including appropriately formatted creative work or documentation of the same, if relevant) must be submitted upon completion.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MARC6020
Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	MARC6000
Prerequisites ?	72 credit points of MARC units
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Simon Weir, simon.weir@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Dissertation	Thesis Fully resolved dissertation.	70%	Formal exam period Due date: 06 Jun 2022 at 09:00	10,000-12,500 words or equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Abstract Abstract of propsed thesis	5%	Week 04 Due date: 09 Mar 2022 at 09:00	250 words max
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Abstract and Bibliography Abstract (250words max) and bibliography (>10 sources) for proposed thesis.	5%	Week 08 Due date: 14 Apr 2022 at 09:00	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Thesis Draft Draft work submitted for comprehensive feedback	20%	Week 10 Due date: 05 May 2022 at 09:00	Approx 6000 words or equivalent
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Students undertake individual research into a defined topic or problem within architecture, broadly defined. Topics can include any aspect of architecture for which adequate supervision can be made available. Specialisations include architectural design, the history or theory of architecture, architectural or building science, urban design, indigenous architecture, or architectural technology. Research methods may likewise be drawn from across the full breadth of disciplinary, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary practices in which architecture figures. The research may inform or be complementary to work being undertaken in the corresponding architecture design studio unit, but will be assessed on its own terms.
For Assessment 1a, students will prepare a preliminary abstract (appropriate to the mode in which they are working, informed by the advice of individual supervisors), of 300 words or equivalent, including elements to be specified in the project brief (via Canvas). This will be subject to supervisors’ constructive feedback.
For Assessment 1b, students will prepare a revised abstract (of 300 words or equivalent), outline and bibliography (appropriate to the mode in which they are working, informed by the advice of individual supervisors), including elements to be specified in the project brief (via canvas).This will be subject to supervisors’ constructive feedback.
For Assessment 1c, students will prepare a draft of their dissertation (appropriate to the mode in which they are working, informed by the advice of individual supervisors), of 6000 words (or thereabouts) or equivalent, including elements to be specified in the project brief (via Canvas). This will be subject to supervisors’ constructive feedback.
For Assessment 2, students will prepare a written dissertation of 10, 000-12,500 words' length, or its equivalent as a combination of creative work with an exegetical element. A digital and hardbound copy of the dissertation (including appropriately formatted creative work or documentation of the same, if relevant) must be submitted upon completion.

Assessment criteria

Both assignments must be submitted for a passing course grade. Each assignment will be graded between FA-HD, where PS is 50%, CR 65%, DI 75%, HD 85%. The second submission will be assessed by two readers, and the assignment mark determined in conversation between the two readers and unit of study coordinator. Course grade will be determined by the sum of the two submissions, as 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.

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:

Penalties will be applied consistently with School of Architecture, Design and Planning policy.

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	Conducting Research in Architecture—Why Write a Thesis? (Eco, Ch. 1)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Defining a Topic; How to write an abstract (Eco, Selections from Ch. 2)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	The Process of Research: what to look at, and how? (Eco, Selections from Ch. 3)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Presentation of Topics & Abstracts (student presentations)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Planning the Process; Good Practice (Eco, Ch. 4)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Structuring an Argument; Locating New Knowledge	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Beginning to Write (Eco, Ch. 5)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Presentations of Argument I	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Rallying Evidence Behind an Argument	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Presentations of Argument II	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Production Workshop I (focus tbd)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Production Workshop II (focus tbd)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Production Workshop III (formatting and referencing)	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements will be consistent with the requirements of the School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Note that all seminars will have a digital footprint so that any missed classes can be followed in the event of absence. Individual meetings with project supervisors should aim for a weekly communication.

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The primary text for the course seminars is Umberto Eco’s How to Write a Thesis (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2014, orig. 1977). This is available as an e-book through the University of Sydney Library. Eco’s book will be complemented with a range of resources informing research practice in architecture.

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. Identify, classify and compare a range of modes by which research in architecture is undertaken.
LO2. Generate a detailed piece of research, including original findings and/or analysis; findings/analysis/scholarship will be presented in a manner appropriate to disciplinary practices.
LO3. Demonstrate expert knowledge of a defined topic/problem in the field of architecture.
LO4. Navigate the resources of the university library and other relevant archives and institutions to advance knowledge of a specific research question and demonstrate skills to gather and assess information from a range of sources.
LO5. Demonstrate a position in relation to debate on issues raised by the research.
LO6. Demonstrate advanced skills in written, verbal and visual communication appropriate for both academic and professional settings.

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.

This is the second time this unit has been offered and the first time by this instructor.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MARC6020: Thesis

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect