Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

Program Introduction

  • Duration of Study

    The normal duration of this program is 3 years,and the maximum duration is 6 years.

  • Teaching Approach

    Face-to-face Teaching

  • Teaching Language

    Chinese/English

  • Academic Field

    Architecture

  • Course Introduction
    Remark: According to the relevant laws and regulations of the Macau SAR Government, in order to obtain professional titles such as architects, engineers or urban planners, relevant applicants must meet the academic requirements stated in relevant laws, and be registered with the CAEU (Conselho de Arquitectura, Engenharia e Urbanismo) for qualication recognition and pass related examinations.

Study Plan

This program includes two core courses, one major courses, one elective courses, academic activities, professional internship, graduation design project and doctoral dissertation.

 

Table 1: Core courses (6 credits)

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

Remark

DATZ01

Advanced Design Research Methodology

3

Complete during the first and second semesters

DATZ02

Special Topics in Architecture

3

 

 

Table 2: Major courses (3 credits)

Major: Urban Design and Regeneration

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

Remark

DATZ03

History of Urban and Architectural Development

3

Complete within Semester 1

Major: Sustainable Architecture Design

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

DATZ04

Special Topics in Sustainable Architecture Design

3

The University has the ultimate right to decide which course or whether the course will be opened for all elective subjects

 

 

Table 3: Elective courses (3 credits)

Select one elective course from the following three courses

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

Remark

DATE01

Research on Modern Green Architectural Design and Methodology

3

Complete within Semester 2

DATE02

Research on Architectural and Cultural Heritage Conservation

3

DATE03

Research on Planning and Design for Industry Development

3

 

 

Table 4: Others (7 credit)

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

Remark

DATZ05

Academic Activities (ten times of attendance)

1

Complete during the first to four semesters

DATZ06

Professional Internship

6

Complete during the second and third semesters

 

 

Table 5: Graduation Design Project and Thesis (18 credits)

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

DATZ07

Graduation Design Project

6

DATZ10

Thesis

12

 


Course Description

Advanced Design Research Methodology (3 credits

Teaching advanced qualitative research methods: the western classical theory, main research orientation, specific research methods, textual construction and application of textual analysis. To understand the trend of qualitative research methods, advanced methodology; To be familiar with the research process of qualitative research methods; To learn the specific investigation, analysis and text construction of advanced qualitative research, especially the qualitative research characteristics of architecture.

Special Topics on Architecture (3 credits

The course includes the functions and structures of urban and rural planning; Research topics on habitable cities; The globalization of Asian cities; theory, methods and criticisms on Community construction; Urban renewal and regeneration; Urban issues on leisure and tourism; the systems and regulations of the spacial planning systems and laws.

History of Urban and Architectural Development (3 credits) 

The course focuses on the systematical learning on the origins and developments of architecture and city from the perspective of architectural history and humanities,  including: prehistoric buildings and cities, city protype of Mesopotamia, the ancient Egyptian buildings and cities, the cities of ancient Greek and Rome, architecture and commercial cities of medieval Christianity and Baroque times, architecture and cities of modern and contemporary times. Study the history of architecture and urban development comprehensively from the aspects of politics, economy, culture, religion, society and urban planning, and put forward strategic suggestions for the future urban development.

Special Topics on Sustainable Architecture Design (3 credits

Be familiar with the core values of the sustainable environment; To Introduce the present design of sustainable buildings; To think deeply about the fundamental relationship between the reproduction of human life and the environment.

Research on Modern Green Architectural Design and Methodology (3 credits

This course is mainly based on the concepts of green building, green building materials, sustainable design, and supplemented by the fundamental theory constructions of general design, barrier-free space design, ergonomics and valuation. By the introduction of theoretical instruction, case study, classroom discussions, the course is to guide the students to have deep understanding and interests of the macroscopic environments, microscopic environmental changes and sustainable constructions of urban environments. Based on the concepts of green and sustainable, new concepts is to be constructed, such as reuse of building materials, restoration of the essence of architectural creation.

Research on Architectural and Cultural Heritage Conservation (3 credits) 

The purpose of preserving historic buildings is to reveal the life history of the ancestors and their achievements in art, culture and technology, so as to learn from the past and inspire the present day. However, influenced and destroyed by natural and human factors, the life cycles of historic buildings is often shorter than expected. In order to achieve the goal of long-term preservation of historic buildings, it is necessary to rely on the wisdom of people to turn the crisis into a turning point by scientific and minimal intervention methods,which may be continuously destroying or even could  disappear. The restoration of historic buildings is the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation to enable sustainable operation of historic buildings, so as to adapt to the different physical conditions and diverse activities. Furthermore, it is to synchronize with modern life and co-exist with modern environment. Through the introduction of cases of restoration, this course enables students to discuss the existence of problems and solutions from a practical perspective. Cooperated with cases and comparisons at home and abroad, a complete concept of preservation and maintenance of historic sites will be established in a short time.

Research on Planning and Design for Industry Development (3 credits) 

This course is not positioned to discuss how to plan and operate the culture and creative industry, but focus on the following issues: (1) how to understand and analyze the emergence of cultural creativity industry and positioning by mastering a broader social contexts (cultural economy, governance, social and cultural transformation. In short, the rise of cultural strategy under the capital accumulation of the global competition and economic crisis); (2) how the cultural and creative industry is constituted and operated (cultural labor or work characteristics, core elements, organizational characteristics, etc.); And (3) the relationship between the cultural and creative industries and the urban and local developments.

Academic Activities (1 credits

Students are required to participate in no less than ten academic activities approved by the faculty, such as lectures, seminars, visits, etc organized by the university. After each activity, students are required to submit a one-page (A4) activity report which will be reviewed by the designated tutor. The subject aims to cultivate students' comprehensive quality, broaden their academic horizon and cultivate their innovative thinking.

Professional Internship (6 credits)

The internship course aims to improve the teaching quality, cultivate students' practical ability and innovative spirit, enabling students to enter the field of social practice in advance. To enhance their understanding of the knowledge and professional knowledge, cultivate and improve students' practical skills of self-discovery, analysis and problem solving.

Graduation Design Project (6 credits)

The course is a practice course with the theoretical guidance, which enables students to comprehensively apply the theoretical knowledge learned in the university. Based on the  theoretical level, the project is to be designed and completed. It is a systematic and comprehensive training of design project.

Thesis (12 credits

The candidates must submit a doctoral dissertation (no less than 40,000 words, excluding footnotes, chapter notes and references) and attend an oral defence. The candidates must obey the university's requirements of the format to write the doctoral dissertation.

Degree Requirements

1.Student is required to complete two core coursesfrom Table 1, one major course from Table 2 and one elective course from Table 3 during the first 2 semesters to gain 12 credits. 2.Student is required to complete Academic Activities (ten times of attendance), Professional Internship from Table 4 and Graduation Design Project from Table 5 during the duration of study to gain 13 credits. 3.Student can only submit his/her thesis title for confirmation upon the completion of the aforementioned 12 credits under Table 1 to 3. The minimum word count for the thesis is 40,000. The overall process should follow the thesis composition flow established by the faculty. 4.After finishing each course, the student will be assessed based on regulations established by the instructor and the Faculty. 5.Student who completes all the required courses, student can start writing the thesis proposal. Student can continue their dissertation research and writing upon completion of thesis proposal defense, besides the thesis, they are also required to start the design work. 6.Student is required to publish at least one first-level academic work or architectural design work, or at least two second-level academic works or architectural design work. The works will be evaluated and approved by the Faculty of Humanities and Art at Macau University of Science and Technology. Please refer to A Guidance for Publication Assessment for the Doctoral Students of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts for details.

Learning Time

The duration for taking all courses is 12 months. No less than 12 months of thesis composition and graduation design project , up to 24 months. Classes will generally be scheduled from Monday to Sunday, daytime or at nights.

Qualifications of Graduation

Upon approval from the Senate of the University, a Doctoral Degree will be conferred on a student when he or she has: completed and met the requirements prescribed in the study plan of his or her program within the specific study period, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above (excluding dissertation); and abided by the regulations of the University; and cleared all fees and charges and returned all University’sproperty and equipment borrowed. Note: All curriculums and study plans are based on the newest announcement of the Boletim Oficial da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau. ※In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.