300136 v.5 Bachelor of Arts (Design) (Honours)

BA(Hons)(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 042805D
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1 Year

Introduction

This honours program, by virtue of lecturer and student collaboration, celebrates the individual and their ideas by imbuing a strong sense of passion and rigor for quality, design and research that is meaningful, insightful, innovative and socio-contextually relevant. It is offered by invitation to those students with a record of outstanding achievement in their degree. This achievement includes being highly creative, skilful, intrigued and inspired by the phenomena of design. The course extends individual interests and skills through engagement in professional design issues and by undertaking an advanced level of design research, leading to the production of the student's individual research project. It includes a combination of academically directed and individually inspired work, group activities and discussion, and also encourages professional and personal development through investigative learning that is relevant and transferable to the circumstances of real organisations.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

A Bachelor of Arts from Curtin or other equivalent tertiary institution with a background in design and have achieved a weighted average of not less than 65 per cent in at least the previous two semesters of equivalent full-time study.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are encouraged from applicants and are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

This course is one year full-time or equivalent part-time study.

Course Organisation

This course extends individual interests and skills through engagement in professional design discourse and the undertaking of an advanced level of design research leading to the design and creative production outcome of the student's individual researchproject. Examples might be a live or virtual exhibition, design schemas and models supported by a report, as well as a more conventional written dissertation. The course includes a combination of academically directed and individually inspired work, group activities and discussion through the following units: Design Research Methods, Design Investigation and Design Issues Seminar. These are designed to support the student in achieving their Honours Research Project. The course encourages professional andpersonal development through investigative learning that is relevant and transferable to the circumstances of real organisations.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership in the Australian Graphic Design Association, Perth Art Directors Club, Design Management Institute and Design Institute of Australia.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of design generally find employment within all avenues of design including design studios, advertising agencies, public relations, marketing organisations, government institutions and universities. In addition, the honours course provides the opportunity for further career opportunities including identifying niche specialisation leading to self-employment, design research, scholarship and the Doctor of Philosophy.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.

Special Note

For details on the honours classes refer to the Curtin Policies website http://www.policies.curtin.edu.au/documents/honours_degrees_and_degrees_with_honours.doc

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

Course Structure			Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
301539	v.3	Design Research Methods 495	3.0	25.0
307836	v.2	Honours Design Project Development 491	1.0	25.0
307839	v.1	Design Investigations 491	5.0	25.0
308121	v.1	Design Issues Seminar 491	3.0	25.0
				100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
307842	v.1	Honours Design Project 492	1.0	50.0
307844	v.1	Honours Design Project Report 492	1.0	50.0
				100.0

Availability

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2009	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y
2009	Bentley Campus	Semester 2	Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.