MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE (MArch)
(See also General Regulations, pp. 1 to 16)
Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BA[ArchStud])
Bachelor of Science in Surveying (BSc[Surv])
Master of Architecture (MArch)
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
Master of Science in Urban Planning (MSc [UrbanPlanning])
Master of Science in Construction Project Management (MSc [ConstProjectMan])
Master of Science in Real Estate (MSc[RealEst])
Master of Urban
Design
(MUrbanDesign)
Master Degree Programmes in Construction Project Management, Real Estate and Urban Design
Any publication based on work approved for a higher degree should contain a reference to the effect that the work was submitted to the University of Hong Kong for the award of the degree.
Ar 67 To be eligible for admission to the degree of Master of Architecture a candidate shall
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comply with the General Regulations; |
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be a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies of this University; or possess a degree, diploma or other qualification of equivalent standard and content from another university or comparable institution; and |
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complete the curriculum and satisfy the examiners in the First and Final Examinations in accordance with the regulations set out below. |
Ar 68 The curriculum shall extend over two academic years of full-time study and shall include the First Examination and the Final Examination.
Ar 69 To complete the curriculum a candidate shall
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follow instruction in the courses prescribed and complete satisfactorily all coursework set either as tests or as parts of any examination; and practical work1 to be undertaken as an integral part of the MArch course; and |
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satisfy the examiners at the First and Final Examinations in the manner specified below. |
Ar 70
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The First Examination shall comprise an
examination of the candidate's completed projects
and coursework in Architecture and urban
design and may include an oral examination;
and one paper in Professional practice I
and three papers chosen from the following three
specializations: 2,3
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The Final Examination shall comprise an examination of the candidate's completed projects and coursework in Architecture and urban design and shall include an oral examination; and one paper in Professional practice and three papers chosen from any of the two specializations3,4 in Regulation Ar 70 (a) above. |
- Students are required to undertake practical work for a minimum of 10 weeks normally during the Summer vacation in the MArch course under the guidance of the Department on completion of the First Year of their studies. Reports for assessment on their practical work have to be submitted to the Department before the commencement of the First Semester in September.
- For a major in a specialization in the First Year, 4 units are required from I, II or III. In addition, a total of 2 units can be chosen from any of the remaining specializations.
- Candidates shall continue in their chosen major in a specialization in the Second Year with 4 units. In addition, 2 units can be chosen from any of the remaining specializations.
- It should be noted that not all of the courses in the Specializations I, II and III will be offered every year.
Ar 71
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A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in not more than one paper in the First Examination may be permitted to present himself for re-examination in that paper in the following September. If he again fails to satisfy the examiners he may be permitted to proceed to the final year of the curriculum and to present himself for re-examination in the paper only once more in May/June of the following academic year at a third attempt. | |
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A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in not more than two papers in the First Examination at a first attempt may be permitted to present himself for re-examination in the following September. If he is not so permitted or if he has failed to satisfy the examiners at a second attempt he shall be required to repeat all or part of the first year of the curriculum and to present himself for re-examination in May/June of the following academic year in the subjects repeated. | |
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A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in more than two papers in the First Examination at a first attempt may be permitted to repeat the courses of failure and to present himself for re-examination in the papers in May/June of the following year. If he fails again to satisfy the examiners he may be permitted to be re-examined in the papers of failure in the following September at a third attempt. He shall not be permitted to proceed to the final year of the curriculum until he has satisfied the examiners in all papers in the First Examination. | |
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(i) | A candidate, who is permitted to repeat all or part of the First Year's curriculum may also be permitted to register for relevant courses of the Final Year and to present himself for examination at the same time in May/June of the following academic year. |
| ¡@ | (ii) | A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in Architecture and urban design in the First Examination shall be required to repeat all or part of the first year of the curriculum and to present himself for re-examination in May/June of the following academic year in the subjects repeated. |
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No candidate shall be permitted more than three attempts at any paper or two attempts at Architecture and urban design in the First Examination except in exceptional circumstances with the specific permission of the Senate. | |
Ar 72
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A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in not more than two papers in the Final Examination held in February/March or May/June may be permitted to present himself for re-examination in the paper or papers in the following September. |
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If the candidate fails again to satisfy the examiners at the re-examination in September, he shall be permitted to present himself for re-examination only once more in the following February/March or May/June at a third attempt. |
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A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in Architecture and urban design in the Final Examination may be permitted to present himself for re-examination in the following September. If he again fails to satisfy the examiners he may present himself only once more in the following May/June. If he is not so permitted, he shall be required to repeat all or part of the final year of the curriculum and to present himself for re-examination in May/June of the following academic year, and if he fails to satisfy the examiners only once more in the following September. |
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A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in any paper or papers or in Architecture and urban design in the Final Examination at his third attempt shall be recommended for discontinuation of studies under the provisions of General Regulation G 12. |
Ar 73 The degree of Master of Architecture may be awarded with distinction, except that a candidate who presents himself more than once for Final Examination in any of the core courses shall not be eligible for distinction unless the Senate directs that he shall be so eligible because of exceptional circumstances.
SYLLABUSES FOR THE DEGREE
OF
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE
Note: For the purpose of these syllabuses, one unit = 24 hours of teaching time.
FIRST YEAR: CORE COURSES
65714. Architecture and urban design I (10 units)
The year aims to use the case-method to give students
experience in problem-solving and decision-making.
Projects will call for design integration of the many
factors which shape our environment including
legal-financial determinants and social conditions.
Emphasis will be on complex buildings, and group work in
urban design in Hong Kong and in the region.
Sketch designs are required with emphasis on imagination,
ideas and graphic communication.
Field trips will be required for the course.
65715. Professional practice I (2 units)
The course covers the area of building, planning and
contract law.
Land ownership; lease conditions; landlord and tenant
covenants; easements; rights of way; torts; Hong Kong
town planning ordinances and procedures.
Building ordinance, regulations and other related laws;
codes of practice; submission of plans to various
authorities. Buildings Ordinance Office's practice notes
for Authorized Persons.
Formation and discharge of contracts; enforcement; breach
and remedies, arbitration; types of contract; standard
private and public building contract forms; subcontracts;
nominated subcontractors and suppliers; relevant statute
and case law and other professional practice issues of
HKIA and ARB.
SECOND YEAR: CORE COURSES
65800. Architecture and urban design II (10 units)
The final year concludes the course by means of a
design thesis where a report and a special study are also
required. Candidates choosing to do a design thesis are
required to demonstrate a mature understanding of their
chosen topics during an oral examination.
The requirements for dissertation are those normally
required in a Master's programme; an oral examination is
also required.
The course is supplemented by sketch designs the purpose
of which is the same as those in the previous year.
Field trips will be required for the course.
65801. Professional practice II (2 units)
Code of ethics and professional conduct; architect
registration ordinance;
architect/client/consultant/contractor relationship;
project management; tendering procedures; bills of
quantities (specifications); scheduling techniques;
measurement conventions; organization and management and
other professional practice issues of HKLA and ARB.
Analysis of relevant cases in architectural practice with
special reference to Hong Kong and Asia.
FIRST AND SECOND YEAR: SPECIALIZATION COURSES
There are three specializations within each of which there are a number of courses available for selection by students in the Master's programme. These courses may be taken in either the First or Second Year.
- I : Architectural History and Theory
- II : Architectural Management
- III : Architectural Technology/CAAD
| 1. | Candidates may select their major from one of the three specializations subject to the approval of the Head of Department. |
| 2. | Candidates shall be guided in selecting these courses. It should be noted that not all courses in I, II and III will be offered every year. |
| 3. | For the major in a specialization in the First Year, 4 units are required from I, II or III. In addition, 2 units can be chosen from any of the remaining specializations. |
| 4. | Candidates shall continue in their chosen major in the Second Year with 4 units. In addition, 2 units can be chosen from any of the remaining specializations. |
| 5. | The Examination of the papers may take the form of a written, practical or oral test, or by continuous assessment or by any combination of these. If a candidate is required to repeat a course because of failure but that particular course is not offered in the following year, his choice of an alternative course must have the approval of the Head of Department and the relevant course teachers. |
| 6. | For the purpose of examination, two units shall constitute a paper. |
Specialization I: Architectural History and Theory
65716. Public housing in urban development (2 units)
The course investigates the production of housing
within the social, political and spatial conditions in
urban development.
Topics include social and economic determinants of
housing location, standards and quality of design; impact
on urban development; analysis of housing production
including site and infrastructure, provisions;
constraints and innovations in the housing industry; case
studies.
65717. Chinese landscapes (2 units)
Poetics, symbolism and other landscape values in Chinese culture, with special reference to Chinese gardens, their spatial layout, natural and man-made elements.
65718. Vernacular architecture of Asia (2 units)
Vernacular built-form is the most obvious and direct means of expression of a people and its culture. Through the examination of different indigenous building types in different parts of Asia, viz.: China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, students are able to develop a broader sense of understanding of the relationship between architecture, climate and culture.
65719. The modern movement and beyond (2 units)
The course is concerned with theoretical aspects of design activities in architecture. It attempts to trace the evolution of spatial concepts significant to the modern movement and beyond. The course consists of two parts: analytical and synthetic. The analytical part is to develop the students' skill for deeper understanding of the complexity of the built form. The synthetic part attempts to follow the vicissitudes of architectural design through the examination of the works of certain architects.
65720. The design of Chinese cities (2 units)
The course looks into the basic physical organization
and development of traditional Chinese cities. It aims to
introduce the comparative method in understanding how
built forms, particularly public built forms, express
certain aspirations of a culture, and how culture itself
conditions their usage.
Field trips form an integral part of the course.
65721. Comparative building appraisal and case studies (2 units)
The course aims at equipping students with the ability to appraise buildings in a methodical manner and to carry out case studies in architecture analytically so that a useful resource of reference material can be built up towards their design work.
65722. Critical readings in Western architecture (2 units)
A history and theory course in architecture which examines the literary tradition in architectural writings from the Renaissance to the present. Emphasis on the elucidation of the primary struggles for definition, meaning and form in architecture and the cultural context out of which these have arisen.
65723. Architecture of the Tang and Song Period (2 units)
This course examines the architectural treaties, in particular, Ying Zao Fa Shi (Àç ³y ªk ¦¡) in depth and explores the principles of building and spatial concepts of the formal architecture of this period, its effects and development on the later eras.
65739. Art in architecture (2 units)
The course attempts to build a bridge between students' professional architectural training and a broader education in the relevant liberal arts areas: in the psychology and philosophies of art and the history of art as it relates to architecture. Topics include an overview of aesthetic theories, on how ideas gain physical shape: the historical background, recent systematic theories, interpretation, criticism and the issue of art and linguistics versus architecture: from Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Tolstoy, to Dewey, Langer, Goodman, Hirsch, Foucault, Arnheim, Moore, Lynch. The course will also address the issues of the social and environmental responsibilities of architecture, as well as the sentiments towards architectural conservation as societies seek to preserve their artistic and cultural identities.
65740. Tall buildings (2 units)
The course takes an inter-disciplinary approach towards the study of the design of tall buildings and will consist of two parts. The first is a study of the history and theory of tall buildings from the Gothic period to the present. It will investigate the structural and technical development, together with the contemporary financial marketing techniques of highrise office space in the past decades. In short, it deals with all the forces that shape a highrise tower. The second part will be in-depth case studies by individual students on exemplary buildings of the genre.
65741. Changes in architectural depiction (2 units)
This course will study past, present and future ways of representing architectural space. Artifacts such as maps, drawings and paintings will be studied to understand how modes of description affect perception. The geometric basis of drawing systems such as orthogonal, oblique, axonometric and perspective projections, will be examined. Examples by Lorenzetti, Durer, Alberti, Canaletto, Sant'Elia, Meier, and naive artists will be analysed to reveal how these constructions can be used expressively. Computer tools will be used to reconstruct the geometry of historical precedents and generate alternate images.
The establishment of perspective drawing and photographic conventions will be examined in order to understand the development of norms in currently emerging media such as digital video, animation, hypermedia and virtual reality. Specifications for new visualization tools will be discussed.
Specialization II: Architectural Management
65724. Building economics and management (2 units)
The course deals with economic and cost factors relevant to the architectural design and construction processes. The course will also provide instruction in the theory and practice of appropriate techniques to achieve economy and efficiency. Topics include: feasibility analyses for projects, economic analysis for design, project cost analysis, financial monitoring and evaluation, case studies. A term paper on a relevant topic will be required.
65725. Aspects of property development (2 units)
The course deals in an integrated manner with the principles and practice relevant to the property sector in the areas of pre-design planning, including land use, infrastructure and service provisions, transport links, design economics; and also deals with advanced topics related to organization, financing, management and marketing of development projects. A term paper on a relevant topic will be required.
65726. Business management in architectural practice (2 units)
The course covers fundamental principles for architects for their role as effective business managers in the building environment. Four areas will be examined; these include business management principles, accounting practice and financial management, personnel management and the marketing of professional services. Case studies and course work will form an integral part of the course.
65737. Computer-aided architectural design system management (2 units)
An in-depth study of managerial and technical issues of CAD system management in architectural practices. It includes CAD system customization, factors affecting productivity, measurement of system performance, staff training, ergonomics and other human factors.
65742. Aspects of contract management (2 units)
Detail analysis and studies of standard contracts and sub-contracts for public and private works in Hong Kong. Typical problems in contract administration and project management, the role of the architect, project manager and the contractor will be examined. Claims, counter-claims, mediation and arbitration will be considered.
65743. Case studies in China project (2 units)
The study of practice and management for projects in China. Cases will be used to illustrate relevant joint venture business and architectural practices. Local conditions and laws that are relevant for real estate and building development will be analysed for problems and solutions.
65744. Integrated project management for architects (2 units)
Management theory and technique; the role of project manager in co-ordinating all aspects of design and construction, organizing and planning the development process; working with developers, contractors, design team, bankers, building authority and the users; optimal land planning and development phasing, site selection, lease modification, approvals, marketing and sales; time and budget control; project case studies.
65745. Case studies in building development (2 units)
The study of various types of building development in Hong Kong will be examined in a case study approach. Projects of vast scale and complexity will be used to illustrate the process of development and the co-ordination of the development team with the architect. Seminars will be conducted for students to analyse different cases and to learn the techniques in problem solving in building development.
Specialization III: Architectural Technology/CAAD
65731. Building structures ?case studies (2 units)
The course is designed to close the gap between
structural theory and design. The subject is divided into
two parts. The first part highlights the more important
aspects of the structural planning process from the
architects' point of view. The second, analytical part,
develops the students' skills through case studies of
actual projects leading to a deeper understanding of the
complexities of the structural problem.
Topics such as building failures, structural alteration
and additions, building regulations, geotechnics,
foundations on difficult grounds and computer-aided
structural design/analysis will be discussed.
Field trips to construction sites and design offices form
an integral part of the course.
65732. Building systems I (2 units)
The course provides an understanding of the realities of designing and manufacturing components of buildings within aesthetic, economic and time frameworks.
Design construction communication is studied through production and technical drawings, manufacturer's shop drawings with special emphasis on the use of materials and manufacturing technology.
Direct studies of manufacturing techniques both traditional and new are undertaken by field trips to factories and construction sites. Construction systems including the systems approach, standardized buildings, contractual strategies and their impact on the evolution of building production are investigated.
65733. Architectural acoustics (2 units)
The course provides an in-depth study of (i)
prevailing noise problems in a densely built environment
and (ii) current approaches to auditorium design; case
studies will be incorporated into this course.
Field trips form an integral part of the course.
65734. The computer in architecture (2 units)
An introduction to computer-related tools and techniques useful to architects in professional practice. It includes the use of computers for office automation and management as well as various design and analysis applications in architecture and related fields.
65735. Computer-aided architectural design methods (CAAD Methods) (2 units)
A study of current computer techniques and technologies which can be used by architects to develop design methods that fully exploit contemporary computers as design aids.
65736. Computer graphics for architects (2 units)
An in-depth study of computer graphics as an architectural design and presentation medium. Overview of computer graphic hardware, software and algorithm. Computer graphics standards. Internal structures of modellers and renderers.
65738. Building systems II (2 units)
Advanced studies in innovative technologies are
undertaken. Energy efficient and intelligent buildings
are analysed and advances in parallel industries such as
aerospace, shipbuilding and the transportation industries
are studied for applicability in the building industry.
Computer modelling is used extensively in this option.
Total energy systems are investigated as are low
environmental impact techniques.
Prerequisite: Building systems I.
65746. Architectural fire safety study (2 units)
The course provides an in-depth understanding of the rationale and the trend of architectural fire safety legislation, and the engineering alternatives for fire safety design for building complexes; case studies will be incorporated into this course.
65747. Seminars in building technology (2 units)
This option will cover a variety of topics related to the design, fabrication and construction of building elements and their subsequent integration into the building structure. Visits to factories and site production facilities will form an integral part of the course.
