Design Fundamentals and Techniques

The module introduces the students to the fundamental elements, principles and processes of design in general and for the built environment. This module intends to develop the students’ cognitive and affective capacities and introduces students to fundamentals, basic techniques and skills in design and the creative process. Ideation will be taught through a series of short projects that will help the students to understand and explore various design processes and methods. This module aims to help students un-learn the pre-conceptions that they may have accumulated, encouraging questioning of conventions and standard practices through creative and critical thinking. The module culminates in an integrated design studio project where the student would be able to apply knowledge acquired from the other modules in the course.

Technology and Sustainability Fundamentals

This module is aimed at equipping students to take on an investigative approach to study the fundamental elements of building science as well as sustainability considerations and its application in built environment projects. Students are encouraged to integrate the various building science and sustainability elements into their integrated design studio project to bring about new design possibilities as well as gaining a broader understanding of their applications in the realm of the built environment.

Design Representation

This module introduces students to the foundational level of computer aided software as well as graphic-based software to produce construction drawings and presentation drawings. Students will also be taught basic manual drawing techniques as well as fundamental model-making skills to enable students to create visual narratives for their studio project presentations.

Landscape Architecture Foundation

This module aims at equipping students to take on an explorative design approach to study softscape and hardscape materials and its foundational application in the built environment. Students will learn to integrate the various landscape elements into their integrated design studio projects to bring about new design possibilities as well as gain a broader understanding of their applications in the realm of landscape architecture.

Thinking Critically about the UN SDGs (TCU)

This module aims to equip students with skills in critical and analytical thinking through the exploration of contemporary local and global issues, through the lens of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using information literacy skills, students will select a local issue connected to the SDGs, and look for relevant information on the issue. They will use a critical thinking framework to evaluate a diverse range of sources for their validity and reliability, and consider different perspectives on the issue before presenting their assigned stand, substantiated by reasons and evidence. This module also aims to enhance students’ knowledge and appreciation of local and global issues related to the 2030 global agenda, represented by the SDGs. Students will learn about the core principles of the SDGs and find out how the goals apply to their own lives, as well as to Singapore.

Collaboration in the Digital Age (CDA)

This module helps students to understand how to be an effective team player, according to the CATME model of team member effectiveness. Students will practise writing a team charter to set the team up for success. They will also be exposed to various digital collaboration tools and best practices, practise holding effective team meetings online and offline, and work on their interpersonal communication skills.

Effective Writing for the Workplace (EWW)

The module aims to equip students with effective written communication skills necessary for the workplace. At the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate effective writing skills. They should be able to apply the principles of PAC (Purpose, Audience & Context) and 5 Cs of Communication (Complete, Clear, Concise, Courteous and Correct) to plan and craft effective business messages. In addition, students should be able to use effective visuals, employ appropriate language, follow standard format and conventions, and cite using the Harvard Style in their writing.

Data Fluency (DF)

In this module, students will be equipped with the baseline skills in using data to gain insights into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These skills are related to the data-handling processes such as formulating data-based questions, pre-processing data and analyzing data using numerical and graphical summaries. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency in using data to examine one aspect of an SDG and/or generate some insights to support one theoretical solution to an SDG.

AI and Its Impact (AII)

This module aims to equip students with a very broad overview of Artificial Intelligence, and its societal and ethical impacts in modern society. Students will build a simple AI model with online tools and discuss how to promote good ethics in AI. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency of using AI to address their chosen Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

Problem Solving with Creative & Computational Thinking (PSCCT)

In this module, students will be equipped with baseline creative and computational thinking skills for problem solving. Students will learn about the value of focused & diffuse thinking, problem identification and analysis, creative thinking, and the four pillars of computational thinking in the problem-solving process. Students will apply these techniques to tackle wicked problems related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Education and Career Guidance

This module aims to help students discover their strengths, values and interests. It also supports students in making informed educational and career choices to achieve their career aspirations.

Design Studio I (Landscape Architecture)

Design for skyrise greenery that consists of design considerations and statutory requirements will be introduced. User behaviour will be studied to enable strategic planning to create green spaces in buildings that provides niches for respite or gathering places for interaction at different times of the day. An integrated project enables students to apply all core skills towards designing aesthetically-pleasing and environmentally-friendly design proposals.

Technical Studies I (Landscape Architecture)

Skyrise greenery applications requires students to know the importance of integrating green spaces in buildings. Learning technology for skyrise considerations needs an understanding of suitable plants and appropriate hardscape construction details. When bringing nature closer to users in buildings, more sustainable buildings are created to alleviate urban heat island effect that contributes to minimize the impact of climate change in the long run.

Design Representation I (Landscape Architecture)

Students will be taught software applications to enhance digitalisation at intermediate level. Documentation of landscape architecture construction details will be enhanced. Three-dimensional graphical skills will strengthen communications of design proposals in presentations.

Digital Communication for Impact (DCI)

This module aims to equip students with key skills to leverage digital communication to engage, inspire and impact stakeholders digitally. They will build an understanding of various digital communication platforms/tools and their benefits and limitations. They will also learn what it means to be a responsible Digital Citizen. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency to design and apply key principles when crafting impactful digital communication about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or a relevant context.

Personal Branding and Career Agility (PBCA)

In this module, students will be equipped with the requisite skill sets, knowledge and tools that will give them an early start on the process of kick-starting their career. Through the Self-Directed Learning Approach, student-centric engagement, curated resources (e.g., CareersFinder, LinkedIn Learning, and more) and curriculum co-developed by industry partners, students will begin their journey into the world of work.

Sustainable Innovation Project (SIP)

This module, tapping on what students have learnt in the Common Core Curriculum, aims to equip students with a Design Thinking mindset to create an innovative solution to tackle local societal issues mapped to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students collaborate in multi-disciplinary groups to apply design thinking method and tools backed by research and qualitative data, to create sustainable and innovative prototype solutions for real-life issues faced by a local user in need. In the process, they develop a better understanding of themselves, and empathy for a local user in need. They will also be able to apply their teamwork skills in the course of their sustainable innovation project, and communication skills in the presentation of the project.

Elective 1

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Internship Programme

Provides opportunity to gain professional working experience through attachments to local or overseas companies or organisations. Students are required to prepare a report and proper documentation on the internship programme.

Technical Studies II (Landscape Architecture)

Site planning applications need students to understand complex systems and relationships. Land form, site inventory and its impact on site planning of the urban context will be introduced. When carving green spaces that will sustain in the urban setting, students will develop knowledge of plant selection for large public spaces and consider urban biodiversity and management to enhance the built environment in a large scale.

Design Representation II (Landscape Architecture)

Students will be taught software applications to enhance digitalisation at advance level. Documentation of landscape architecture construction in a planning scale and site context will be introduced. Three-dimensional graphical skills will strengthen communications of design proposals in presentations for a more complex setting in a larger scale.

Technical Studies Research (Landscape Architecture)

Ability to be choose a specialisation towards a technical inclination in the landscape architecture profession to express individual uniqueness as a designer. To show understanding in the professional practice’s work flow and articulate individual contributing factor to a team that will transform the built environment. To showcase relevant skills towards digitalisation, design and documentation to contribute to a profession that creates spaces for people to be close to nature with sustainability in mind. To be able to apply to a diverse range of work opportunities or further education prospects in store after completion of course.

Domain Specific Module I (Landscape Architecture)

Introduces and develops in-depth knowledge and skillsets pertaining to specific areas according to raising trends in the landscape architecture domain. Students will develop and apply these specialisations in the design process and technical enhancement when working on Final Year Project.

Domain Specific Module II (Landscape Architecture)

Introduces and develops in-depth knowledge and skillsets pertaining to specific areas according to raising trends in the landscape architecture domain. Students will develop and apply these specialisations in the design process and technical enhancement when working on Final Year Project.

Design Studio II (Landscape Architecture)

Design for urban planning encompasses learning of design processes to build frameworks as strategies with reference to large scale site context. Design considerations need to adhere to statutory requirements and design guidelines. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are taught to strategize planning decisions to create engaging spaces for communities and carve out green spaces in the built environment. An integrated project in a large scale will enable students to apply all core skills towards designing user-friendly and sustainable design proposals.

Persuasive Communication with Data Storytelling (PCDS)

This module aims to equip students with the baseline skills to craft compelling narratives using effective data storytelling techniques. Students will generate data visualisations, and apply narrative elements and persuasive delivery techniques to influence others or shape their perspectives. Upon completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency in using persuasive communication to convince stakeholders intellectually and affectively to call them into action in tackling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Elective 2

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Elective 3

Please refer to Elective Module link below.