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

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Chris L. L Smith, chris.l.smith@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Dissertation or thesis	3: Thesis Thesis.	60%	Formal exam period Due date: 20 Nov 2025 at 17:00	10,000 words (+/-5%) or equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	1: Thesis Abstract Abstract, bibliography & thesis outline.	10%	Week 04 Due date: 28 Aug 2025 at 17:00	300 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	2: Thesis Draft Thesis Draft.	30%	Week 11 Due date: 23 Oct 2025 at 17:00	4,000–6,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

1: Thesis Abstract (10%)

2: Thesis Draft (30%)

3: Thesis (60%)

Attendance: Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early depature will be deemed as an absence.Students who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have approved special consideration may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit.

Assessment criteria

Grade	Description
High Distinction 85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The design proposal 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 design proposal 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. The design proposal evidences excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass 50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed. The design proposal evidences satisfactory, though marginal quality for the majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail 0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed. The design proposal does not evidence satisfactoryquality for the majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 for late submission of work and related policies are included in the Course Resolutions of the Master of Architecture, which are available at http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 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. 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	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	No description.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	No description.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	No description.	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the School of Architecture, Design and Planning: 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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this Unit of Study can be accessed through Library eReserve, available on Canvas, and uploaded files on Canvas.

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. Demonstrate competency in identifying and applying appropriate research methods from the field of architecture, or appropriating methods from other fields
LO2. Capacity to produce a research thesis that demonstrates expert knowledge of a defined topic and presents new knowledge in the discipline of architecture
LO3. Demonstrate skills in identifying, screening and evaluating information from a range of sources (including but not limited to the university library and archives)
LO4. Demonstrate capacity to contextualise your research question within its field and articulate a clear position.
LO5. 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.

Refinement of curricula and fine-tuning has been completed to facilitate alignment between MARC6020 and MARC6000.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MARC6020: Thesis

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links