Design and Architecture Research Project PG (9773.3)

Required texts

Students are expected to undertake self-directed research and sourcing of reference material as required for their research topic.

The Library can order books on interlibrary loan from any library in the world through the Document Delivery service: http://www.canberra.edu.au/library/services/document-delivery-and-interlibrary-loans

Where students identify monographs or other research tools that will add generally to the University, teaching staff may be able to request acquisition: discuss with your Project Supervisor.

Individual reading lists and/or practice/professional/iconographic bodies of work will be proposed by each student as part of the Assessment Item 1 Proposition submission and must be agreed by the Academic Supervisor.

Readings from Design and Architecture Research Methods PG (9772) Semester 2 2021  provides a good base line background reading.

You are encouraged to identify helpful sources to the Unit Convenor and your Academic Supervisor as part of the collective research endeavour.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

5c         Additional information - Good design and architecture practices

The following additional Discipline specific regulations and procedures are designed to ensure equity for students in the submission, feedback and assessment of projects.

Submission requirements and protocols

It is UC policy that students submit all written work on Moodle in the appropriate assignment Moodle dropbox for this unit.  You should ensure that your name, student number, and unit name is provided on the front cover and as a running head on each page.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the correct version of any given assignment is submitted by the due date and time as indicated in the unit's Moodle site and unit outline.

CD/DVD/USB/emailed assignment submissions will not be accepted. Submissions that do not meet the specified content, format or other requirements may be penalised through a reduction in marks.

Where students are required to submit models, drawings, posters or other physical artefacts that cannot be submitted electronically, students must create an electronic record (digital image, scanned copy, PDF version, or video) of the artefact and submit this in the appropriate assignment dropbox as evidence of their completed and on time submission.

Students will not be required to submit preparatory field notes, visual journals or design studio portfolios, unless specifically required as part of the unit assessment tasks. Students may be asked to provide evidence of these in class at the request of the unit tutor or unit convenor.

Late Submissions will not be accepted

All assessments must be submitted at the due time and date and in the form and manner stated in the assessment outline.

Only in exceptional circumstances as stated in UC policy, will applications for an extension be considered. An extension needs to be applied for in writing and in advance of the submission date. The application must specify the length of the extension being sought and provide documentation such as counselling or medical certificates that cover this period. Extensions can only be given for the period stated in the documentation submitted. Counselling certificates are not a guarantee of an extension.

A late submission will attract a penalty of 10% for the first day, then an additional 5% per day for days 2 to 6. A weekend does not count for the purpose of this policy. On the 6th day the student will receive a fail grade.

All assessments must be submitted on time in order to pass the unit.

Unless otherwise stated in the Unit outline. Re-submissions for failed work will not be accepted. This assessment policy is designed to be fair to all students. Adherence to deadlines is essential in the design professions.

Students should aim to complete all work to a high standard. In the event that the assessment is incomplete at the due date, students are encouraged to submit their work at the stage they are up to.

Feedback and return of material

Apart from the grades/marks/comments given for the progressive assignments via Moodle, feedback will be provided in the form of verbal comments and critique by the Project Supervisor during scheduled consultation.

In design education and practice the fundamental vehicle for receiving feedback is the verbal response or critique. Designers and architects are expected to listen carefully and dispassionately to what is said and respond accordingly. It is therefore important that you develop the facility for recording what is said – this may include enlisting a fellow student to take notes on your behalf during your presentation.

Unless otherwise advised, assignments, together with marks and feedback, will be available for collection from the lecturer during class. All grades will be posted on the dedicated studio unit on Moodle.

Work will not be available for collection before the nominated return date. Students must retain a digital copy of their assessable work; this includes the electronic copy of physical artefacts. Students should expect that Project Supervisors may write on or otherwise alter their work as a part of the assessment and feedback process.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Participation requirements

Students are expected to engage regularly with their Academic Supervisor. This will generally take the form of sending/presenting work to the supervisor ahead of an individual meeting with him/her to discuss the work.

Required IT skills

Students are expected to have sufficient IT skills to participate in weekly studios, to source reference material, and to prepare design and final presentation drawings, the base model, and process and final presentation physical models.Word processing skills are essential for all project types.  Ability to use bibliographical software is desirable. Other IT skills as needed according to the student's research project.

In-unit costs

Materials and equipment needed to prepare process and analytic drawings, text, models and other required software, tools, materials, production and research aspects appropriate to the research question, mode of investigation, and final submission.

Any cost incurred for projects/research must be covered by students. Please plan your project according to your financial capacity. Binding or otherwise suitable presentation of the thesis will be at the cost of the student.

(Note: To calculate your unit fees see: How do I calculate my fees?)

Work placement, internships or practicums

Professional academic supervision

Additional information

Additional information 

Additional information, including assignment and submission requirements will be provided in separate handouts and posted on the Unit Canvas site. Reading and complying with this information and instruction is a requirement for students enrolled in this unit.

Announcements

Announcements made during lectures, or posted on the LearnOnline (Canvas) site, will be deemed to have been made to the whole group. Students are responsible for regularly checking their UC student email for individual emails that the Unit Convener may decide to send.

Consultation with Staff

Contact with staff should generally be within the allocated class times. 

Consultation outside of these hours shall be by prior appointment, and in addition to, not in lieu of, the scheduled class time. Students who fail to attend classes, and who do not have a medical or Counsellor's certificate or other genuine reason for missing classes, should not expect additional tutorial or consultation time.

Please note: staff are not able to return calls to long distance or mobile telephone numbers after normal hours or on weekends or holidays. Emails are normally not checked or answered at nights, on weekends or on public holidays.

Retained Work

Due to the requirements of professional accreditation samples of student work may be retained and stored at the School for periods of up to three years. Where possible, each student should make a copy of any assignment (prior to submission) as that work may be retained and inaccessible thereafter.

Late Collection of Assignments

University of Canberra staff and sessional studio tutors are not responsible for submission materials. Architecture students are expected to take responsibility for their work. In the context of the design studios, this is considered to include both submitting the work on time, and collecting it following assessment.  Collection times will be advised for submissions where appropriate. Where a project/assignment is not collected by that time, the project may be subject to a 5% grade penalty. The project may be discarded without further notice.  This penalty will not apply when prior arrangements have been made with the Unit Convener, your Studio Tutor, or when the work is being retained, such as for accreditation.

Retention of Student Work for Accreditation

Representative samples of student work may be held for program accreditation purposes.

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