Unit Outline

Professional Studies introduces key principles of professional practice in architecture. A curated program of guest speakers by eminent practitioners locally, nationally and internationally, exposes you to a diversity of organisations and practices within architecture and the building industry. You will gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various professionals in the design and development of architectural projects, and the impact of different procurement processes, including tendering, contracts and relationships between client, architect and members of the project team. Through research and critical interrogation of relevant literature and case studies, you will also explore alternative, contemporary and emerging forms of architectural practice in a global context and speculate on future implications for the field of architecture and the relevance to your own career trajectory. Through the course of the unit, you will gain a critical understanding of the architect's ethical responsibility to their clients, to their profession and to society. You will also develop knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements relating to architects and architectural practice and practice management and registration as an architect.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain the impact of different procurement processes on architectural projects.
2.	Appraise models of architectural practice by engaging with current professional practice paradigms.
3.	Discuss the ethical, legal and regulatory obligations of architectural practice.
4.	Speculate on the future of local and global architectural practice through critical interrogation of relevant literature and case studies.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Professional Competencies Assessment	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Practice contexts: Report	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Future practice: Essay	Week 14	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Professional Competencies Assessment

Task Description:

Online test, facilitated through MyLO, used to assess professional competencies.

To pass this AT students must achieve 100% to satisfy the hurdle requirements of the NSCA2021 competencies which are associated to this task.

Students are allowed a maximum of three attempts.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify the purpose, processes and elements of contracts for architectural services and building procurement.	LO1
2	Explain the process of evaluating tenders and selecting qualified contractors and administering building contracts.	LO1
3	Outline procurement processes and evaluation strategies for facilitating architectural projects	LO1, LO2
4	Explain the importance of clear and consistent communication, coordination and integration of information with clients and contracts through the project.	LO1, LO2
5	Outline ethical professional services including practice management obligations, regulatory requirements, professional indemnity and project costs.	LO2
6	Identify ethical, legal and moral considerations for project planning that addresses Country, communities and environmental sustainability.	LO2, LO3
7	Select the correct answers in relation to NSCA2021 competencies.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Practice contexts: Report

Task Description:

Explain your knowledge of the National Standard Competencies for Architects (NSCA) relating to DESIGN BRIEFING, PRE-DESIGN, COST/FEASIBILITY, PROCUREMENT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT as outlined on detailed AT1 handout.

Refer to MyLO for additional information.

Task Length:

2,500 word essay.

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Compare and contrast procurement processes for a given project type	LO1
2	Explain the scope of an agreement between client and Architect	LO1
3	Explain the tender process for engaging contractors in an architectural project	LO1
4	Explain the roles of specialists and consultants within the procurement process.	LO1
5	Review management practices that ensure efficient, effective and ethical professional service	LO2
6	Explain professional services of architects, consultants and other key stakeholders	LO2
7	Explain the legal obligations related to the 4 key principles intellectual and physical property, contracts, torts.	LO3
8	Explain the architectural registration process	LO3
9	Communicate using professional standards.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Future practice: Essay

Task Description:

Identify particular issues for architectural practice – culture, procurement, collaboration, research + development, equity + diversity, advocacy + agency. Draw on literature, case studies and workshop discussions with architects.

Refer to MyLO for additional information.

Task Length:

2500 word report plus appendices for weekly notes and annotated bibliography of readings

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the roles of specialists and consultants within the procurement process.	LO1
2	Review management practices that ensure efficient, effective and ethical professional service.	LO2
3	Explain professional services of architects, consultants and other key stakeholders.	LO2
4	Explain the ethical and legal implications related to practice paradigms.	LO3
5	Select a distinctive or unique element of professional practice to critically interrogate.	LO4
6	Support predictions with literature and case studies	LO4
7	Communicate using professional standards	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.