AAMPS: Professional Skills

Module code: AAMPS

Module provider: School of Architecture, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Mrs Louise Humphreys, email: louise.humphreys@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have an ARB Part-1 qualification. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AAMAD3 AND TAKE AAMRM (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to apply and further develop integrated design and professional skills gained during the first year of the postgraduate course with a particular focus on applied research in an architectural practice or industry related environment. 

Drawing upon all other modules in the programme, this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore diverse modes of architectural research in a practical application, and to enhance employability through acquisition of relevant professional skills and experience.  

Alongside developing professional skills, students will understand professional practice in relation to their chosen specialism/research topic. Engaging in a range of forms of architectural practice, including academic research and teaching, will allow students to develop a broader understanding of the context of the architect and the construction industry as well as workplace requirements. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of professionalism and the duties and responsibilities of architects to clients, building users, constructors, co-professionals and the wider society; GC6.1 
2. Demonstrate problem solving skills, professional judgment, and the ability to take the initiative and make appropriate decisions in complex and unpredictable circumstances; GA2.6 
3. Demonstract the ability to identify individual learning GA2.7 
4. Undertake effective communication and presentation, organisation, self-management, reflection and autonomous working; GA2.7 
5. Demonstrate professionalism and competence, behaving with integrity, in the ethical and professional manner appropriate to the role of architect; GA2.6 
6. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of practice management and entrepreneurship to equip them for a career in Architecture; GC11.3 
7. Understand the constructional and structural systems, the environmental strategies and the regulatory requirements that apply to the design and construction of a comprehensive design project; GC1.2 
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the architect within the design team and construction industry, recognising the importance of current methods and trends in the construction of the built environment; GC6.2 
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the need to appraise and prepare building briefs of diverse scales and types, to define client and user requirements and their appropriateness to site and context; GC7.2 
10. Demonstrate an understanding of the contributions of architects and co-professionals to the formulation of the brief, and the methods of investigation used in its preparation; GC7.3 
11. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental legal, professional and statutory responsibilities of the architect, and the organisations, regulations and procedures involved in the negotiation and approval of architectural designs, including land law, development control, building regulations and health and safety legislation; GC11.1 

Module content

This module includes a three-month period of self-initiated practical training, integrating research, design methods, and professional skills in the workplace. Students will demonstrate personal responsibility in the application of subject knowledge to live projects or problems. Students will record their experience and progress in a Diary/Logbook similar to the RIBA's Professional Experience and Development Record (PEDR). 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This is a worked-based learning module which develops and tests practically, skills and knowledge acquired in the first year of the Masters’ course. Contact with the University will be maintained throughout the work experience to assess progress. 

Study hours

At least 6 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

This module includes formative assessments from both lecturer(s) and peers participating in a seminar (Recall Day), tutorials, and group discussions. 

Recall Day provides an opportunity for students to present draft presentation to peers and staff, to ask questions and receive feedback.  

A draft of the Professional Report can be submitted for written feedback

Reassessment

Additional costs