Master of Architecture

The Master of Architecture is a graduate program at the Islamic Azad University (IAU)-UAE Branch that focuses on studying the architectural profession and practising researches. This program extends Bachelor of Architecture Engineering. The program will equip the graduate students with fundamental disciplinary knowledge and skills on architectural design, environmental design, socio-cultural approaches, construction, and practising research in architecture in the Iranian context and the global society.

This degree program aims to develop comprehensive knowledge and skills of architectural design and construction and apply conceptualisation, analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to ideate and change society. Graduates will achieve advanced adaption skills to the local and international context.

Program Aims

This course prepares the graduates with the skills they require to

• Understand the body of architectural knowledge and skills in the local and international context

• Develop their design skills and knowledge

• Develop their construction management abilities

• Practice research projects in architectural and socio-cultural context

Program Learning Objectives (PLO)

By the end of the program, graduates are expected to be empowered of:

Design Theories, Methods and Skills

• PLO1: Discussing the main theories and methods in architectural design disciplines.
• PLO2: Developing the architectural design practice and skills.

Theory and Knowledge

• PLO3: Discussing original texts, essays and documents in architectural theory and history.
• PLO4: Developing socio-cultural and historical-contextual studies in architecture.

Professional Practice

• PLO5: Developing professional knowledge and skills in design and construction.
• PLO6: Exploring professional possibilities for applying the expertise in productive employment.

Research Practice

• PLO7: Identifying the research problems conducted by other scholars in a particular area of Architecture.
• PLO8: Realising the quantitative and qualitative research methods employed in the systematic spatial study of the built environment.
• PLO9: Conducting a testing-out research project (small or medium size) in the field and/or subfield of architecture.

Program Career outcomes:

Posterior to graduating with Masters of Architecture, architects will have the opportunity to work worldwide on different projects. Graduates will benefit from the opportunity to work in private sectors and public sectors at projects such as, but not limited to, housing projects, firm designs, municipalities. More jobs students can land are consultants, building surveyors, building film sets, landscape architects, structural engineering, urban planning/design, and teaching in universities.

Core courses

1. Research Methodology in Architecture

The course “Research Methodology in Architecture” advances a framework, process, and compositional approach for designing a qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research proposal. The ascendency of qualitative research, the emergence of mixed methods approaches, and the continuing use of the traditional forms of quantitative designs among the graduate degree students have created a need for this course’s unique comparison of the three approaches to inquiry. This comparison begins with a preliminary consideration of the research paradigm, a literature review, and an assessment of the use of theory in research approaches. The course then addresses the elements of the research process: writing an introduction, stating a purpose for the study, identifying research questions and hypotheses, and advancing methods and procedures for data collection and analysis.

2. Architectural Programming and Design Methods

The course “Architectural Programming and Design Methods” includes two parts, i.e. architectural programming and design theories, processes and methods. This course develops theoretical studies and procedural skills in pre-design, design and production.

3. Architectural Design I

The “Architectural Design I” course extends the courses “Architectural Design I, II, III, IV and V” at the Bachelor of Architectural Engineering program. This course includes briefing, programming and planning, design methods and form development process, and the analytical-synthetically approaches in design.

4. Iranian Architecture Philosophy (and Wisdom)

The course “Iranian Architecture Philosophy (and Wisdom)” discusses the philosophy and wisdom in Iranian architecture to clarify and develop philosophies and thinking processes in shaping architectural objects while shaping different spatial perception types.

5. Architectural Design II

The course “Architectural Design II” discusses the theoretical bases in the architectural design process, design creativity and architectural aesthetics.

Architectural Design II extends the course “Architectural Design I” at the Master of Architecture program.

6. Human Beings and Environment

The course “Human Beings and Environment” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the relationship between Mans and natural and artificial environments theoretically and practically. This course emphasises the adaptive built environment and global changes to the ecosystem.

7. Architectural Rights and Regulations

The course “Architectural Rights and Regulations” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the laws, rules, and regulations related to architectural practice and professions and different types of national building codes, regulations, and rules interdisciplinary and beyond.

8. Architectural Design III

The course “Architectural Design III” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the functional and technical design elements and integrated design using structural, mechanical and electrical components. It extends the course “Architectural Design II” at the Master of Architecture program.

9. Construction Procedure

The course “Construction Procedure” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course discusses the technical, technological construction factors, themes and procedures in architecture. This course develops students’ construction management skills and abilities.

10. Final Design Project and Dissertation

The course “Final Design Project and Dissertation” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course sums up all knowledge, design skills, research skills and construction abilities by a mid or large scale design project and a research dissertation.

General Elective Courses

Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins

The course “Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins” is designed for the Master of Architecture students at the IAU-UAE branch. This course includes theoretical studies in contemporary architecture and research on their origins and roots. Moreover, this course develops a theoretical framework for design projects. Contemporary Architectural Theory Origins extends the course “Architectural Theory (Basics)” at the Bachelor of Architectural Engineering program.