MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action FT (T339)

Urban environments and their buildings are at once both acutely responsible for the climate crisis, and present some of the most achievable solutions. Climate action is urgently required to mitigate their environmental impact and unearth creative solutions. This MSc programme equips graduates and returning professionals with specialist skills to respond to the challenge of planning, designing, and actioning a sustainable built environment. The School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy (APEP) brings together four key disciplines to provide a unique graduate learning experience. Core modules are specifically designed to enhance knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals, climate science and policy as well as skills for sustainable building and urban design. Options allows students choose from a wide range of architecture, planning and policy based modules, as well as energy and sustainability modules from around the University. The programme links in with prestigious national and EU funded research projects and industry collaborations. This facilitates students in furthering research and knowledge, and the programme has a track record of supporting careers in sustainable design practice, consultancy, policy and academia.

The UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy has an established international track record as a leading research centre in sustainable building and city research with large national and international funded projects. It is in the Top 150 QS World University Rankings by subject area, and has long led the way in architectural study and practice in Ireland.

Curricular information is subject to change

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  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of climate change, its causes and design and policy strategies to mitigate it, particularly related to the built environment.

  • Ability to work effectively as an individual, in multidisciplinary teams, to tackle the essential challenge of our time.

  •  Demonstrate the ability to consider the environmental impact of buildings, including matters of resource depletion, energy consumption, life cycle performance, carbon intensity and in-use performance when designing buildings.

  • Understand and participate in current debates within the areas of sustainability and climate change.

  • Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply concepts and theoretical knowledge to climate change related challenges in Europe and globally.



 


Stage 1

The MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action is a one-year 90-credit Masters Programme comprising 60 credits of Core Modules (30 credits for taught modules, 30 credits for research project) and 30 credits of Option Modules. Students are recommended to register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester.

IMPORTANT: Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director.

Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
     
ARCT41210 Architecture in a Climate Emergency Autumn 5
ARCT41260 Climate Carbon Cities Change Autumn 5
ARCT41310 Geodesign for Urban Futures Autumn 5
ARCT41240 Urban Resilience and Ethics Spring 5
ENVP40170 Research for Environmental Pol Spring 10
Stage 1 Core Modules
     
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF:
Option Modules
All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director.
     
ARCT40030 Realising Built Projects Autumn 5
ARCT40660 Street Life: Urban Design, an Introduction Autumn 5
ARCT40680 Postgraduate Studio Autumn 15
ARCT41270 Retrofit Existing Buildings Autumn 5
BSEN40700 Energy System & Sustainable Environments Autumn 10
ENVP40100 Environmental Economics & Climate Policy Autumn 10
GEOG40860 Practical Environmental Assessment Autumn 10
PLAN40030 Planning, Society and Diversity Autumn 5
PLAN40060 Urban and Regional Development Autumn 5
PLAN40220 Geographical Information Systems for Policy and Planning Autumn 5
BSEN40720 Carbon & Sustainability Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
ARCT40180 Urban Design Theory (UDT) Spring 5
ARCT40690 Urban Design Studio Spring 15
ARCT40870 Agency: Design / Build Spring 5
ARCT40950 Concrete Research Spring 5
BSEN30030 Air Pollution Spring 5
ECON42570 Behavioural E'mics:Policy App Spring 5
ENVP40040 Tools for Sust Development Spring 10
GEOG40750 Reimagining Dublin: An Interdisciplinary Exploration in Urban Regeneration Spring 5
GEOG40890 Remote Sensing Spring 10
GEOG40960 Coastal Risks Spring 5
LAW41090 Climate Change Law and Policy Spring 10
PLAN40040 Rural & Landscape Planning Spring 5
PLAN40070 Housing Policy and Planning Spring 5
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF:
Option Modules
All Students MUST select 30 credits of Option Modules, and between their Core and Option modules register for a balanced workload of 30 credits per Trimester. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director.
     
Stage 1 Options - B)1OF:
Summer REQUIRED OPTION Module:
ALL Students MUST initially select the module ARCT41230 Linked Research Project. During the Autumn Trimester, those students interested in pursuing ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship will be expected to prepare their CV and seek Professional Work Experience opportunities from prospective employers under the guidance of the Internship Module Coordinator and Programme Director. In the event that a student is successful in securing a suitable Professional Work Experience placement, subject to gaining approval of the Internship Module Coordinator, the student will be re-registered to ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship by the College Office.
     
ARCT41230 Linked Research Project Summer 30
ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship Summer 30
Stage 1 Options - B)1OF:
Summer REQUIRED OPTION Module:
ALL Students MUST initially select the module ARCT41230 Linked Research Project. During the Autumn Trimester, those students interested in pursuing ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship will be expected to prepare their CV and seek Professional Work Experience opportunities from prospective employers under the guidance of the Internship Module Coordinator and Programme Director. In the event that a student is successful in securing a suitable Professional Work Experience placement, subject to gaining approval of the Internship Module Coordinator, the student will be re-registered to ARCT41290 MAUCA Internship by the College Office.
     
See the UCD Assessment website for further details

Module Weighting Info  
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
MTENA001 Stage 1 - 100.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47


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