Architecture  (ATS4)

This studio and lecture based programme, led by academics and practitioners at the forefront of the discipline, aims to provide an engaging, exciting and innovative learning environment that encourages students to develop their individual professional capacities while placing equal emphasis on research and critical enquiry. We do this through design projects, academic writing, technological and constructional investigations and practical experiments, valuing innovation, investigation and original creative work underpinned by a due regard for rigor, depth and precision. Students are provided with a firm foundation in advanced methodologies and skills and develop a close familiarity with the broader disciplinary, regulatory and societal frameworks within which professionals must operate.

The programme uses teaching, learning and assessment approaches such as individual and group design projects, live-projects, case students, scenario-based learning and written research and dissertations. Each has a focus on individual development and reflective learning, while developing effective group-work, written, verbal and visual communication and presentation skills

1 - On successful completion of the programme students should be able to: Embed in their visual and written work evidence of their ability to use conceptual and critical thinking and know the appropriate use of both.
2 - Use analogue and digital methods of visual communication, drawing, presentation, model making, and show judgment in utilising such methods appropriately in order to achieve their design intentions and ambitions
3 - Communicate and present their design and research questions and the knowledge and rationale underpinning their conclusions
4 - Utilise a range of investigative and design skills, showing in their work their ability to use the appropriate skill at the appropriate stage and an ability to synthesise knowledge to achieve original and excellent design outcomes.
5 - Understand structural, environmental, envelope, services and life-saving systems to the extent that the student can clearly evidence their ability to synthesise these within a comprehensive building design programme.
6 - Apply their knowledge and problem solving abilities to the design of an architectural project in response to functional brief and site conditions, including an understanding of social and physical contexts and show this in visual and written documents.
7 - Demonstrate an ability to work with established research methods in evaluating, analysing and designing architecture.
8 - Understand and operate within the discipline of architecture as it pertains both to the art and science of building and, in an broader sense, to the inherent order of organisms, structures and societies.
9 - Represent and communicate the design decisions in drawings, models and through other media and be able to present their decisions in a public forum.
10 - Develop a capacity for the close observation and analysis of physical and cultural contexts and of design precedents.

A period of study at a university abroad on exchange is encouraged and UCD Architecture has a very extensive list of partners in Europe, Asia, Australia and the US for students to choose from. This period of study takes place in the Spring Trimester of 4th Year and is for one Trimester only. 

There are also field trips, site visits and workshops organised as appropriate during the various stages of the programme including a class study trip to a European city of architectural interest.

Most architectural graduates go into architectural practice and this degree will equip graduates to work in architecture anywhere across the world, whether in major global centres or in particular regional contexts. However, this degree also provides our graduates with broad knowledge and a range of transferable skills applicable in many contexts.

Graduates have pursued careers in related professions and creative practices like landscape architecture, planning, heritage management, cultural practice, curatorial work, policy making, consultancy, product design, or research.

UCD Engineering and Architecture College Office

Tel: +353 1 716 1916
e. katie.oneill@ucd.ie

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

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