ARC8117 : Design thesis
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Ali Madanipour
- Lecturer: Dr Natalia Villamizar Duarte
- Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 60 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
In broad terms the module aims to:
•Provide students with experience in design thesis processes and methodology by defining and studying a problem related to their own interests
•Develop an ability to evaluate and analyse design thesis findings according to explicit criteria
•Develop a response to the issues raised by their design thesis
Outline Of Syllabus
The design thesis project is intended to provide the students with an opportunity to carry out a substantial and largely independent piece of research.
Students will work on a selected theme and area through an individual major design thesis project, in a format approved by the route leader.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 8:00 | 24:00 | Design reviews – present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 8:00 | 80:00 | Individual design tutorials – present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 8:00 | 40:00 | Individual design thesis preparation seminars (during semester 2) – present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 456:00 | 456:00 | Independent development of design project |
| Total | 600:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The design studio is the integrative environment where students synthesise knowledge from other modules and develop their understanding and skills in the context of a design problem set by tutors. Students are supported in their learning through briefings, lectures, group tutorials and critical reviews. Tutorials and reviews are also the principle means through which students receive feedback on their progress.
A submitted design report will allow the assessment of: students’ comprehensive understanding of a specific topic related to emergent design methods and practices and, cognitive skills (e.g. critical reasoning, problem solving, etc.), and transferable skills with respect to the structuring of ideas and presenting them orally and in writing, independent learning through self-directed study and research, and in managing time and resources.
If the public health situation makes present in person teaching impossible, design tutorials and reviews, will all be taught online.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 2 | A | 5 | Research Proposal |
| Design/Creative proj | 3 | M | 10 | Design Thesis Report |
| Design/Creative proj | 3 | M | 85 | Final Thesis |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
For the design thesis, the development of design skills is assessed through the traditional method of critical review, where students give a visual and oral presentation of their work online to an audience of tutors and peers. The work is discussed and the tutors assess the work against the criteria set out in the project brief. These marks are moderated by another tutor or tutors. Feedback is given orally during the review and as a set of written comments later.
A 4-8,000 word report will explain the rationale behind the design thesis and make up 15% of the mark; the remaining 85% is allocated to the design thesis project.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ARC8117's Timetable