Online Courses Handbook 2003

195103 v.2 Master of Arts (Design)

MA(Curtin)

Introduction
This course provides an opportunity for designers, educationalists and professionals in other related areas to develop research skills and knowledge and to carry out design research. Knowledge in the design field is advanced through independent investigation or the examination of hypothesis and the development and presentation of a thesis or creative design project. Design is a multidisciplinary activity which requires highly developed critical and analytical thinking and conceptual and communication skills. This course focuses on those critical faculties and the creative synthesis of independent work or experimentation in producing a contribution to knowledge that is well grounded in findings from a research activity.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
An honours degree or postgraduate diploma in design or related fields. In recognition of the comparatively recent opportunities for design practitioners to gain a bachelors degree with honours, applicants who have significant practical experience (normally a minimum of three years following the award of a bachelors degree, and a minimum of five years following a three year diploma) will be considered for admission. Candidates without formal research experience may be required to undertake units on research methodologies.

Duration and Availability
The course is by research and normally requires one to two years of full-time study. The course is also available in part-time mode. Study modes are flexible and negotiable with opportunities provided for candidates to complete the program on or off campus through the electronic communications protocols established by the School of Design and the Distance Education unit and/or to attend intensive short courses.

Course Organisation
This course is studied as a research degree. The content of the degree should be determined in consultation with the Postgraduate Coordinator, School of Design. Students without prior studies in research methods and statistical data analysis will be required to undertake relevant preparatory units. This will increase the stated course duration.

Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study. Students may incur a costfor personal Internet access. Students who wish to study this program in external mode will require computing and on-line facilities.

Special Note
It is a requirement that two-thirds of this course is undertaken by research and only one-third by coursework. Students should not enrol in this research course to receive the Postgraduate Diploma in Design but rather have undertaken it as a requisite for admission.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit

Majors, Streams or Other Core Components

12814 v.2 Design Issues Seminar 691 3.0 25.0

99023 v.2 Masters Thesis - Design

25.0

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