Master of Architecture

Duration: 2 years

JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROGRAMME

Review the programme arose out of the need to make the training of Architects at a higher level more in tune with the specialised requirements at the work place. It was observed that students at masters level needed more skills in professional management as part of their work in the field. In addition, it was noted that there is an increased demand for quality services and use of new technology within the architectural profession which have led to increased requirements in training.  Such requirements can only be well addressed through advanced level training at a Master of Architecture degree level.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

  • To equip architects with advanced skills to address practical problems in the field.
  • To strengthen capacity at various levels of the professional institutions in government, local authorities and the private sector.
  • To impart advanced skills necessary to meet the challenges of competition at the regional and international level.

The programme offers qualified graduates the opportunity to gain further education and experience in design and research in the selected areas of specialisation in Architecture.

Specialisation is offered in the following areas: Architectural Design and Low-cost Housing Design.

KEY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMME

The following options that were in the initial Master of Architecture programme have been deferred: Earth Architecture, Landscape Design, and Building Technology. A new course, Project Management has been introduced in Semester I of the first year, while Research Methods course has been enhanced. The programme has also introduced options to the Masters of Architecture: Plan A and Plan B.

4.1 Changes to the courses

Changes to the course
Old course New course
Enhanced course ARC 7103 Research Methodology ARC 7107 Research Methodology and and Scientific Writing
Introduced course ARC 7106 Project Management and Professional Practice
Deferred block of specialisation courses
Earth Architecture
Landscape Design
Building Technology

Plan A

Students under Plan A are required to take two semesters of course work and two semesters of dissertation. To qualify for plan A, a student shall have completed all their course work and has a research proposal by the second week of semester three (Year 2 Semester 1).

Plan B

Students under Plan B are required to take three semesters of coursework and one semester of a design project. To qualify for plan B a student shall have completed all their coursework and also have a project proposal by the second week of the forth semester (Year 2 Semester 2).

TARGET GROUP

The target group of the programme are the many architects in the field who wish to improve on their professional qualifications in a field which has become highly competitive and demanding.

You may download a detailed copy of the course outline below

Attachments

Attachment Name Attachment Type
Master of Architecture DOC PDF

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The Programme Structure shall be as follows:

Plan A

SEMESTER I
Course Code Course Name LH       PH       CH      CU
 

Five Core Courses

ARC 7101 Advanced Applied Design studio 0          150      75        5
ARC 7102 Theory of Design 30        0          30        2
ARC 7107 Research Methodology and Scientific Writing 45        0          45        3
ARC 7104 Human Settlements 30        0          30        2
ARC 7105 Applications CAD 30        0          30        2
ARC 7106 Project Management 45        0          45        3
Total Credit Units = 17
SEMESTER II 

Elective Specialisation Course 

(Select 1 block of the three Design specialisations given below

Specialisation 1: Architectural Design
ARC 7201 Advanced Studio in Architectural design 0          150        75         5
ARC 7202 Building Types 30          0           30         2
ARC 7203 Community Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 7204 Design for Conservation 30          0           30         2
ARC 7205 History of Architecture & Regional Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 7206 Real Estate Studies 30          0           30         2
 

Specialisation 2: Housing Design
ARC 7207 Advanced Studio in Low-cost Housing Design 0          150      75        5 
ARC 7208 Building Types and Needs 30          0           30         2
ARC 7209 Development projects 30          0           30         2
ARC 7210 Appropriate technology and Materials 30          0           30         2
ARC 7211 Construction Costs and Affordability 30          0           30         2
ARC 7212 History and Theory of Human Settlements 30          0           30         2
Specialisation 3: Urban Design
ARC 7224 Advanced Studio in Urban Design 0           150          0         5
ARC 7225 Urban Planning 30          0           30         2
ARC 7226 Theory of Urban Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 7227 History of Urban Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 7228 Urban Sociology and Community Development 30          0           30         2
ARC 7229 Urban Economics 30          0           30         2
Total Credit Units = 15
SEMESTER III & IV 

One Core
 

ARC 8100

 

Research by Dissertation

 

–           300      150      10

ARC 8101 Research Seminar 30          –           30        2
Total Credit Units = 12

 

PLAN B

SEMESTER I
Course Code Course Name LH       PH       CH      CU
 

Five Core Courses

ARC 7101 Advanced Applied Design studio 0          150      75        5
ARC 7102 Theory of Design 30        0          30        2
ARC 7103 Research Methodology and Scientific Writing 30        0          30        2
ARC 7104 Human Settlements 30        0          30        2
ARC 7105 Applications CAD 30        0          30        2
ARC 7106 Project Management & Professional Practice 30        0          30        2
Total Credit Units = 15
SEMESTER II 

Core Courses
ARC 7201 Advanced Studio in Architectural design 0          150         75         5
ARC 7202 Building Types 30          0           30         2
ARC 7203 Community Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 7204 Design for Conservation 30          0           30         2
ARC 7205 History of Architecture & Regional Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 7206 Real Estate Studies 30          0           30         2
SEMESTER III 

Elective Specialisation Course 

(Select 1 block of the two Design specialisations given below)

Specialisation 1: Housing Design
ARC 8102 Advanced Studio in Low-cost Housing Design 0          150         75         5 
ARC 8103 Building Types and Needs 30          0           30         2
ARC 8104 Development Projects 30          0           30         2
ARC 8105 Appropriate Technology and Materials 30          0           30         2
ARC 8106 Construction Costs and Affordability 30          0           30         2
ARC 8107 History and Theory of Human Settlements 30          0           30         2
Specialisation 2: Urban Design
ARC 8108 Advanced Studio in Urban Design 0           150          0         5
ARC 8109 Urban Planning 30          0           30         2
ARC 8110 Theory of Urban Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 8111 History of Urban Design 30          0           30         2
ARC 8112 Urban Sociology and Community Development 30          0           30         2
ARC 8113 Urban Economics 30          0           30         2
Total Credit Units = 15
SEMESTER  IV 

One Core
 

ARC 8203

 

Research by Design Project

 

0          150          75        5 

ARC 8202 Seminar 30          0           30         2
Total Credit Units = 7