Explore UCD

UCD Home >

ARCT40190

Academic Year 2024/2025

Professional Studies II (ARCT40190)

Subject:
Architecture
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Architecture, Plan & Env Pol
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Ms Dorothy Jones
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Not yet recorded
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The architectural qualification is primarily focussed towards preparing graduates for careers in architecture. The course leads to a professional qualification in architecture and is approved under the EU Directive on Freedom of Movement for Architecture, which is recognized by the RIBA and RIAI. The foundations of understanding which are set out in the fourth year elective module are developed in this final year of the course. Further study is required to become a registered architect including a period of supplementary practical experience before full RIAI membership can be achieved. Details of this may be found on the website www.ucd.ie under Continuing Professional Education. The Professional Studies module provides a comprehensive set of lectures concerning the professional practice of architecture and the management of architectural practices. Students will develop an ethical approach to their career and understand their roles and duties as a professional. An awareness of the breadth of the role of the architect in the building procurement process is developed along with a greater understanding of the roles of others, including clients, consultants, planners and contractors. The knowledge, skills and attitudes which will enable students to have the freedom in choosing their mode of professional activity is developed. Professional themes are described including, planning law, fees, management principles, and general framework for the construction industry. This is the part of the course more easily achievable as the subject matter is clearly defined. However, professional knowledge has a decreasing shelf-life in the rapidly changing current environment. Therefore the importance of communication, leadership and interpersonal skills is taught, and collaboration with other disciplines on a real project is emphasised. Alternative methods of teaching have been introduced into the module in order to deviate from the traditional 'chalk and talk' method. This involves a series of real life scenarios, for which the students must collaborate to reach a solution, designed to arouse their curiosity and heighten their awareness about the construction process. The value of students' time and improved time management is emphasised in order to enable students to control and manage their design skills comfortably and freely as part of a profitable enterprise in tandem with other business matters. Procurement of buildings is described within the constraints of brief, programme and cost. The steps and processes to develop a brief correctly and bring this to a built realisation of quality are outlined. This involves a basic knowledge of law, and an understanding of procedures and contracts. The scope of the lectures includes: brief formation, client relationships and agreements, planning and regulatory/statutory requirements, design team roles and management, cost estimation and change and cost management, tendering procedures, construction contracts, site procedures and completion requirements. Graduates of the Professional Studies module should be equipped with the tools necessary for accomplishing a graceful transition from a studio environment to a practice environment.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Course graduates should have a well developed attitude toward lifelong learning and should fulfill the following criteria as part of this lifelong process: Correctly identify how drawings and ideas are developed into built projects. Explain how the procurement of buildings is organised within the constraints of brief, programme and cost. Describe their developing attitude as a professional, and recognise and asses the professional ethos of the architect as embodied in the profession's codes of ethics. Prove that they possess clarity of thought and attention to professional detail. Evaluate and analyse their own roles and duties within the building process and also the roles of others: Clients, Design Team, Planners and Contractors. Evaluate and understand the relationship between the profession and the client, and other players in construction projects. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of a clear architectural brief and how to develop same. Correctly describe public and private procurement processes. Describe their knowledge of law affecting architectural practice. Demonstrate an understanding of how to administer building contracts. Demonstrate skill in communicating clearly, taking and retaining leadership in the realisation of the client's wishes by, for example, drafting a clear comprehensive letter of appointment to the client. Show that they can identify the priorities at different stages of building projects. Demonstrate that they understand conflict resolution approaches and how disputes can be avoided. Show that they can apply their management skills to management of people and practice and employ these to run their practice or part within, efficiently, happily, and profitably.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

44

Autonomous Student Learning

40

Lectures

12

Tutorial

12

Total

108


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Not yet recorded

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered

Not yet recorded.


Carry forward of passed components
Not yet recorded
 

Not yet recorded

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Not yet recorded

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 09:00 - 10:50