glasgow school of art

8/6/2019 Glasgow School of Art

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Programme Specification

Programme Title

Bachelor of Architectural Studies (Hons) (BArch)

Awarding Institution

University of Glasgow

Teaching Institution

The Glasgow School of Art

Name of Final Award and SCQF Credits

Stage 1 Full-time and Part-time routes 120 credits per academic yearStage 2 Full-time and Part-time routes 120 credits per academic yearStage 3 Full-time route 120 credits per academic yearStage 3 Part-time over two years (3a and 3b) 60 credits per academic yearStage 4 Full-time and Part-time routes 120 credits per academic year

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Statement

Architecture, Architectural Technology & Landscape

Professional Body Accreditation

Programme validated by Royal Institute of British ArchitectsProgramme prescribed by Architects Registration Board

Mode of Study

Full and Part-time mode


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Aims of the Programme

The aim of the programme is to produce confident and independentdesigners, with a grasp of intellectual and aesthetic rigor demanded by the

discipline of architecture, an appreciation of a creative, scholarly activity andwith a growing maturity in making judgments.

The specific aims are for students to:

a. Approach learning as a creative activity (rather than as a process ofpassive reception) that becomes progressively more self-motivated andself-directed, leading to an ability to sustain enquiry, while finding waysto share knowledge with colleagues.

b. Achieve fluency and confidence in expressing architectural ideas

through a wide range of media and to find the appropriate means fortesting them.

c. Discover and develop a sensibility towards architecture that can beexpressed through words, drawing, models and other appropriatemedia.

d. Nurture a thirst for intellectual and aesthetic exploration, an ability toenhance knowledge through research and reflection, and gain arespect for scholarship.

e. Connect to the culture of architecture, relating this new world to theirown experience of buildings and places, how they are used, made andinterpreted.

f. Have an understanding of designing and architecture within a widecontext historical, social, cultural, political and environmental.

A pass at the end of stage 3 leads to exemption from the ARB and RIBA Part1 examinations. The criteria for these examination are embedded in the aimsand learning outcome of the programme.


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Programme outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

Stage 1 / SHE level1 Stage 2 / SHE Level 2 Stage 3 /SHE level3 Stage 4 / SHE Level 4

A broad knowledge of thesubject of architecture and

discipline of architecturaldesign.

A broad knowledge of thescope, defining features, and

main areas of the discipline ofarchitecture.

A broad and integratedknowledge and understanding

of the scope, main areas andboundaries of the discipline.

Knowledge that covers andintegrates most of the principle

areas, features boundaries,terminology and conventions ofthe discipline of architecture.

An awareness, throughobservation, of the intellectualand aesthetic content ofsignificant buildings.

An understanding, throughobservation, of the intellectualand aesthetic content ofsignificant buildings.

A critical understanding, throughobservation, of the intellectualand aesthetic content of self-selected buildings.

A critical understanding, of theintellectual and aestheticcontent of self-selectedbuildings and supportarchitectural judgments.

A basic knowledge of thebriefing and performance ofbuildings.

An understanding andinterpretation of the briefing andperformance of buildings.

A critical understanding andinterpretation of the briefing andperformance of buildings.

Researched and criticalevaluation of the briefing andperformance of buildings.

An overview of the role the

architect and an understandingof how information necessaryfor the design of a building isorganized.

An understanding of the role

and required skills of thearchitect.

An awareness of how an

architectural practice operates.

An understanding of therelationship betweenarchitectural practice and theconstruction industry.

A professional level of

knowledge of the legal andmanagerial context ofarchitectural practice.

A professional level ofknowledge of the duties andresponsibilities of architects, asdefined and described in Codesand Standards relating to theirprofessional practice.

Programme outcomes: Practice (applied knowledge and understanding)


Confidence in using the basicskills involved in architecturaldesign, using a range of mediato explore and explain ideasand proposals with clarity.

The ability to record designprocess and key designdecisions.

Confident ability to use a widerange of media to predict theoutcome of design decisionsand be able to test designproposals against the statedaims of a given design brief.

The ability to begin to Organizeand systematize designprocesses.

The ability to record key design

decisions and reflect uponthem.

Fluency in the selection ofmedia to predict the outcome ofdesign decisions and be able totest design proposals againstthe stated aims of a givendesign brief.

The ability to explore, compareand record options as part ofthe design process, andcritically and reflectivelyevaluate key design decisions.

The ability to define what type ofresearch is relevant, whatquestions to ask, and whichformats to record the findings tobest serve as a springboard todesign decisions.

A sense of direction and be ableto develop and sustain a line ofenquiry being able to identifyand develop design ideasthematically as well as

undertaking sequential problemsolving.

Undertake strategic thinking exploring options, settingparameters and objectives andtesting design ideas againstthem and comparing likelyoutcomes in order to makecritical judgments about thelikely effect of design decisions.


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Execute simple defined projectssupported by restricted, areas ofresearch, development orinvestigation and identify andimplement relevant outcomes.

Execute moderately complexdefined projects supported byselected areas of research,development or investigationand identify and implementrelevant outcomes.

Execute complex definedprojects supported by areas ofresearch, development orinvestigation and identify andimplement relevant outcomes.

Execute complex defined andself- defined projects ofresearch, development orinvestigation and identify andimplement relevant outcomes.

Ability to plan and compose asimple building

Ability to plan and composesimple buildings in some detail.

Ability to plan and composebuildings exhibiting greatercomplexity of function andsocial role

Ability to plan and composebuildings exhibiting complexityin terms of function, scale andcontext.

A basic knowledge of buildingconstruction and materials,structural design, and the abilityto apply them in coherentdesign projects.

Sufficient knowledge ofenvironmental science tounderstand the nature of human

comfort in the environment andits consequences forarchitectural design.

An integrated knowledge ofbuilding construction andmaterials, structural design, andenergy transfer mechanismssynthesized in coherent designprojects that expressarchitectural intentions.

A researched and integratedknowledge of buildingconstruction and materials,structural design, and energytransfer mechanismssynthesized in coherent designprojects that expressarchitectural intentions. andconsiderations of a sustainable

environment.

Research and critical evaluationof how a strategic choice ofconstruction, materials andenvironmental approaches candetermine the character of anarchitectural design project.

A basic knowledge of theemergence and development ofArchitecture as a specializedactivity in the field of the builtenvironment, and of theevolution of its elements.

An understanding of themes ofart and architecture insignificant periods of history

A detailed understanding ofselected themes of art andarchitecture in significantperiods of contemporary history

Research and critical evaluationof selected themes of art andarchitecture in significantperiods of contemporary history


A basic knowledge of therelationship between man andthe built environment through

social behaviour and the patternof settlement

An understanding of the social,economic and political factorsthat influence architectural

design.

A detailed understanding of thecomponents of settlement inrelationship to humans activities

and social, economic andpolitical factors that influencearchitectural design

Research and critical evaluationof urban settlement inrelationship to social, economic,

political and cultural factors thatinfluence architectural design

Programme outcomes: Key Transferable Skill


Present and evaluatearguments, information andideas concerning the disciplineof architecture.

Undertake critical analysis,evaluation and synthesis ofideas, concepts, informationand issues which are within thecommon understanding of the

discipline.

Undertake critical analysis,evaluation and synthesis ofideas, concepts, informationand issues relevant tocontemporary discipline of

architecture.

Critically identify, define,conceptualise and analysecomplex problems and issuesrelevant to contemporarydiscipline of architecture.

Critically evaluate evidence-based responses to definedproblems.

Draw on a range of sources inmaking judgments.

Make judgments wheredata/information is limited orcomes from a range of sources.

Programme outcomes: Communication, ICT, Numeracy and Literacy


A sufficient knowledge of 3Dmodeling to present a simpledesign project

A working knowledge of 2D and3D CAAD systems applied todevelop aspects of a designproject.

With sufficient skill andknowledge of current practiceand procedures in CAAD toenter a professional office for ayear of supervised practical

training.


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Communicate ideas, informationand work comprehensibly invisual, oral and written forms.

Communicate and articulateideas, information and work in aclear and concise way in visual,oral and written forms.

Successfully communicate andarticulate ideas, information andwork in a considered way invisual, oral and written forms toa professional level.

Communicate and articulateideas and information fluentlyand work comprehensively invisual, oral and written forms toa professional level.

Convey complex ideas in a well-structured and coherent form topeers and staff

Convey complex information toa range of audiences and for arange of purposes.

Make formal and informalpresentations on topics in thediscipline to a range ofaudiences.

Make formal presentationsabout specialist topics toinformed audiences.

Programme outcomes: Autonomy, Accountability and Working with Others


Exercise some autonomy &initiative and independence incarrying out set project briefs.

Exercise autonomy and initiativein carrying out set project briefs. Exercise autonomy andinitiative in carrying out and

interpreting set project briefs.Exercise autonomy and initiativein carrying out set project briefsand self-directed programme ofstudy.

Demonstrate reasonable abilityto manage time and physicalresources in relation to setproject briefs as an individualand a group member.

Demonstrate ability to managetime and physical resources inrelation to set project briefs asan individual and a groupmember.

Demonstrate professionalism inmanaging time and physicalresources in relation to setproject briefs as an individualand a group member.

Demonstrate ability to managetime and physical resources inrelation to set project briefs andself-direct programmes of studyas an individual and a groupmember.

Take account of Health & Safetyregulations in studio practiceand adhere to safe workingpractices.


Take account of Health &Safety regulations in studiopractice and adhere to safeworking practices.


A basic understanding ofcollaboration with peers todevelop design ideas

An understanding ofcollaboration with peers todevelop design ideas

An understanding of the valueand the ability to collaboratewith peers and others; todevelop design ideas and make

public presentations

A developing critical position asan individual designer andcontribute this to the on-goingstudio debate.

An awareness of ethical andprofessional issues.

Deal with ethical andprofessional issues.

Deal with complex ethical andprofessional issues.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy

The curriculum for the BArch (Hons) has two distinct elements; the studio project work inthe studio course, and specialist subjects in the remaining courses of each stage.

The studio course is project based and learning and teaching methods are devised todevelop and enhance individual creativity and to promote self-motivation and

independent learning.

Specialist subjects courses are lecture/ seminar based. Specialist subjects support andinform studio work and are where ever possible articulated to specific studio projects.


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Programme Structure and Requirements

REFERENCENUMBER

TITLE OF COURSE CREDITS LEVEL

STAGE 1 3 Terms SCOTCATCREDITS ECTS

SHELEVEL

Studio Work 1 70 35 1

Architectural Technology 1 30 15 1

Architectural History and Theory 120 10 1

TOTAL CREDITS 120 60

Exit Award :Certificate HE in Architectural Studies

STAGE 2 3 Terms

Studio Work 2 70 35 2


Architectural History and Theory 20 10 2

TOTAL CREDIT 120 60

Exit Award :Diploma HE in Architectural Studies

STAGE 3 3 TermsStudio Work 3 50 25 3


Architectural History and Theory 3 20 10 3

Professional Studies 3 10 5 3

Honours Options 3 A+B 10 5 3

TOTAL CREDIT 120 60

Exit Award:BArch

STAGE 4 3 TermsStudio Work 4 60 30 4Housing Studies 4 10 5 4Urban Studies 4 10 5 4Architectural History and Theory 4 10 5 4

Professional Studies 4 10 5 4Honours Options 4 20 10 4

TOTAL CREDIT 120 60

EXIT AWARD :BArch (Honours)


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Admissions Requirements

Please refer to the current undergraduate prospectus at:

http://www.gsa.ac.uk/gsa.cfm?pid=520

Date of Revision

August 2005

glasgow school of art

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