TERMINAL PROJECTS:
MASTER’S PROJECT and DESIGN D

 30 July 2004

Students entering their final year have the option to complete their terminal project as an independent master's project or within a structured studio environment.  The independent sequence  will be evaluated in parallel to the Design D sequence in comparing depth and productivity. 

Master’s Project (Independent Study):

The Master’s Project option will be twofold and span two semesters.  The students will first complete a 3-credit hour Master's Project Planning course in a semester preceding the 6-credit hour Master’s Project.  In this second course, students will be working closely with a “thesis-like” committee, chaired by a member of the faculty.  The Master’s Project option will require a high degree of student initiative and decision-making, starting with the student's freedom to identify a topic of particular personal interest.  Part of the final project requirement is the submission of a research and design document. 

This independent study option provides each student with the opportunity to pursue specialized knowledge in an area of personal interest.  This track serves both as the student’s final opportunity for theoretical exploration within an academic setting, and as a transition to practice. The final Master's Project should represent an effort that displays students’ abilities to conduct independent written and design work and to communicate effectively the results of the study.

Please refer to the School's Portfolio Policy for the specific submission requirements for students who wish to complete an independent Master's Project.

Design D Studio (Structured Study):

The Design D Studio option will involve a faculty-defined studio project.  The students will first complete a 3-credit hour planning course in a semester preceding the 6-credit hour Design D studio.  Both Design D Planning and Studio will be structured by a faculty member with intermediate progress reviews and structured studio assignments.  The abstract submission is not a requirement for those students who wish to follow the Design D Studio

The planning course is a 3 credit hour seminar that will serve as a preparatory research, planning, and design prior to the final project to give a depth of study to the terminal project.  During the initial planning course, the students may, at the discretion of the Design D instructor, examine and analyze the program, related technical and material issues, and/or the site's natural, urban, cultural, and social context.  The Design D planning requirements will include a written, research document related to the assigned studio project.  Preliminary design explorations may also serve as research vehicles.

The Design D Studio will meet as a regular studio 9 hours per week.  The goal of the studio will be to produce comprehensive projects with drawings developed to the quality one expects from the Design Development course.  The studio may be structured according to the standard phases of design from Schematic Design to Construction Documents.