卡迪夫大学

Overview

This course addresses the need for creative professionals who are equipped with the IT skills, digital fabrication skills, simulation software skills, or the ability to design custom-software development tools to solve unique design problems. Our multidisciplinary approach will provide students with the knowledge and skills to discover innovative computational methods for use in the creative and design industries. In particular, we will look at form-finding using parametric and generative methods, preparing digital information for further rigorous analysis, and integrating the logic of digital fabrication into the early stages of design. You will be taught by experts across the subjects of architecture, computer science and engineering, which will give you a distinctly interdisciplinary approach to looking at design. The ethos of the course is based on the concept of rigorous creativity where algorithmic thinking, systematic parametric design, analytic methods, creative intuition and tectonic sensibilities are integrated into a more innovative design outcome than traditional methods currently allow. During the course, you will be able to develop and specialise in areas of interest to you through a range of optional modules and your choice of dissertation topic. Topics you may specialise in include algorithmic thinking in parametric design and form-finding, performance-based design and analysis, or design for digital fabrication.

Course structure

This full-time programme is taught over one year, during which you will develop a project-based dissertation, supported by regular tutorials. Some module content will be delivered through intensive workshops during block weeks while other module content will be delivered weekly. The course will include core modules that present fundamental concepts and a series of more optional and advanced modules allowing you to specialise in one or more topics. We use a combination of individual and group work to assess your progress. The course will culminate in a student-led dissertation accompanied by a 5000-word reflective essay.

Learning and assessment

We aim to provide an exceptional environment for computational methods in architecture education and reflect our current research strengths and interests. This programme has been carefully designed to enable you to realise your maximum potential. We aim to deliver expert teaching, and comprehensive pastoral care. The modules are normally assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Coursework assessments may take the form of written practical reports, structured reports, class tests, structured answer tests, group work, poster and oral presentations and computing problem-solving exercises. Assessments may be summative and count towards the final module mark, or formative, helping you to learn and practice key skills and knowledge through feedback. Final examinations at the end of each module may comprise a structured answer section (assessing breadth of knowledge) and/or a written answer section (assessing depth of knowledge in specific topics). Your dissertation project is assessed by a supervisor’s evaluation and a written report.