A close exchange between the doctoral programme, research, and undergraduate studies is an important condition for the research-integrated architectural pedagogy that is the profile of Chalmers Architecture in an international context. The doctoral programme is seen here as an important link between research, undergraduate education and society.
The subject of the doctoral programme is named Architecture. The subject may also be more precisely defined according to the following alternative designations:
- Architectural History and Architectural Theory
- Design
- Sustainable Development and Urban Development
- Management and Building Processes
- Building Technique and Materials
- Housing
- Built Environment and Renovation
2. Objectives of the doctoral program
Objectives
The national objectives for third cycle degrees (licentiate and doctoral degree) and local requirements are stated in the Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
Objectives specific for the graduate school
The objective of the doctoral programme in Architecture aims at educating architectural researchers as well as architects and other professional within the field of architecture to become qualified in research. It aims to give highly qualified architectural research competence, including developing theories, methods and analyses, formulating research problems, and to compile, analyze, systematize, critically examine and produce knowledge supporting architectural professionals and actors within architecture and planning in a long-term sustainable development. Founded on design-based research, the doctoral programme also aims to develop innovation of ideas, design strategies and artifacts within the field of architecture.
3. Entry requirements
General entry requirements
To be qualified for admission in Architecture the student must have earned a degree at the second-cycle level. The orientation of the student’s degree shall also have a sufficiently close connection to the subject of the doctoral programme. Equivalent requirements apply to individuals who have taken their first degree in a country other than Sweden. The examiner, in consultation with the principal supervisor, shall assess whether the applicant has the requisite capacity to successfully complete the doctoral programme. Other requirements for general entry are regulated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Specific entry requirements
To be accepted for the doctoral programme at the Department of Architecture, the applicant shall have a professional degree in Architecture according to requirements of the EU Directive (85/384/EEG). Applicants with other Master degrees must prove to have qualifications and degrees with a close connection to the research subject of the doctoral studies. In these cases, the research subject shall be given an appropriate designation (see 1.).
Admission
Regulations regarding admission are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
4. Curriculum
The study programme towards a doctoral degree encompasses 240 higher education credits. The study programme towards a licentiate degree encompasses at least 120 higher education credits. One year of full-time studies equals 60 credits.
For the licentiate degree programme the credits are distributed between courses and thesis work as follows: courses at least 30 credits and thesis at least 60 credits.
For the doctoral degree programme the credits are distributed between course work and thesis work as follows: courses at least 60 credits and thesis at least 180 credits.
Courses
Courses within the graduate school include general courses that cover all doctoral programmes at Chalmers as well as courses specific for the graduate school.
General courses in Chalmers’s doctoral programmes
The general course requirements for doctoral programmes at Chalmers are regulated in Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
Courses specific for the Graduate school
The doctoral programme is constituted by department-based courses, faculty courses, individual courses and research work with supervision, resulting in a text for licentiate examination and a doctoral thesis with a dissertation. The programme also requires that the doctoral student actively participates in seminars at the department and attends guest lectures etc. relevant for the subject.
Doctoral students may also to a limited extent take part in the undergraduate education or other work relevant for the personal pedagogical and research development. A suitable combination of courses is decided together with the examiner and main supervisor.
Minor pedagogical and corresponding work will be considered as courses and can be given a maximum of 7,5 credits in the research education.
Courses from ResArc: Swedish Research School in Architecture (that Chalmers is a member of), are recommended when available
http://resarc.se.
Licentiate thesis
A licentiate thesis shall be written in English. In exceptional cases it can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a summary in English.
The purpose of the licentiate thesis is to account for the relevant scientific results that have been attained during the thesis work and describe these in a way that is accessible outside of the scientific inner circle of researchers. A licentiate thesis can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a monograph. If the licentiate thesis is a compilation thesis it should begin with an introduction, a summarizing text, followed by the included scientific articles. The purpose of the summarizing text is to put the studies in context, and to present relevant results that for various reasons are not described within the articles.
The subject of the licentiate thesis can be of theoretical and/or experimental character with a basis in architectural design methodology. The licentiate thesis is preferably to be included as part of the doctoral thesis.
Other regulations concerning the licentiate thesis are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Doctoral thesis
A doctoral thesis shall be written in English. In exceptional cases it can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a summary in English.
The purpose of the doctoral thesis is to account for the relevant scientific results that have been attained during the thesis work and describe these in a way that is accessible outside of the scientific inner circle of researchers. A doctoral thesis can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a monograph. If the doctoral thesis is a compilation thesis it should begin with an introduction, a summarizing text, followed by the included scientific articles. The purpose of the summarizing text is to put the studies in context, and to present relevant results that for various reasons are not described within the articles.
The subject of the dissertation can be of theoretical and/or experimental character with a basis in architectural design methodology. The licentiate thesis is preferably to be included as part of the doctoral thesis.
Other regulations concerning the doctoral thesis are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Supervision
The Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes states that for each doctoral student at least two supervisors shall be appointed. One of them shall be appointed principal supervisor. The doctoral student has the right to supervision during the studies unless the Head of Department decides otherwise.
Other regulations concerning supervision are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
5. Examination
After completion of a doctoral programme a doctoral degree is awarded. A licentiate degree can be an intermediate stage in a doctoral degree. If a licentiate degree is not a part of the individual study plan, an midway seminar shall be held to denote that licentiate level has been reached.
Examination, licentiate degree
For a licentiate degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must have received a grade of pass for the licentiate thesis and its presentation and must also have received a grade of pass for the other elements that are included in the programme.
Examination, doctoral degree
For a doctoral degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must have had a doctoral thesis and its defence approved and must also have passed the other elements that are included in the programme.
Other regulations regarding examination are stated in:
- Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes
- Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications
6. Title of degree
The title of qualification is Teknologie doktorsexamen i Arkitektur or Filosofie doktorsexamen i Arkitektur. The English translation of the title of the qualification is Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture.
For a licentiate degree the title of the qualification is Teknologie licentiatexamen i Arkitektur or Filosofie licentiatexamen i Arkitektur. The English translation of the title of qualification is Degree of Licentiate of Engineering in Architecture or Degree of Licentiate of Philosophy in Architecture.
In addition and if applicable, the chosen specialization should be stated in the title of the degree.
The degree is given a title corresponding to the name of the faculty within which the undergraduate degree was earned. The title is determined by the Head of Department in connection with admission.
Any decision regarding exemption from use of the defined title is made by the Head of Department. In some individual cases, it is possible to use a title that does not correspond to the name of the faculty within which the undergraduate degree was earned.