Duration
900h AUTR
Number of credits
| Master in architecture, professional focus in architecture and urban planning | 30 crédits |
Lecturer
Georges Mabille, David Peleman, Mathurin Smoos, Sophie Trachte
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
All year long
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
General description
The master thesis (TFE) is a personal and original work carried out during the Master's years and presented at the end of the cycle. It constitutes an introduction to research in the broadest sense of the term (fundamental, exploratory, applied, etc.).
Ideally, it produces knowledge and contributes to the deepening of knowledge in the field of architecture. At least, it requires the student to show that he is able to mobilize concepts, theories and know-how taught during the course to grasp an architectural issue, as an exercise or case study. In both cases, he participates in disciplinary development.
The TFE is based on the work carried out by the student in the course Initiation à la Recherche en Architecture 1 : Principes de Base (ARCH0562-1) et Initiation à la Recherche en Architecture 2 : Principes avancés (ARCH0563-1).
You must choose a topic from a set of proposals from the teachers of the thematic workshops of the Master or the research laboratories of the faculty. As part of the Initiation à la Recherche en Architecture 2 : Principes avancés (ARCH0563-1), you will have chosen and developed a TFE's topic and theme, in consultation with your promoter and the seminar teacher.
Specificities of the Master thesis "Project"
The Project Master's Thesis (TFE Projet) is a substantial scientific research project, carried out either within a Master's project studio, a research laboratory of the Faculty of Architecture, or the Faculty of Architecture's "Internship" Unit, in collaboration with a professional holding the title of architect. It represents an investment of approximately 900 hours and is primarily developed during Quarters 3 and 4 (Q3 and Q4), building upon and further developing the work carried out as part of the Introduction to Research in Architecture - Advanced Principles seminar (ARCH0563-1).
It is conducted under the supervision of two supervisors, who are permanent academic or scientific members of the Faculty of Architecture and of the University of Liège.
The master's thesis is carried out and supervised:
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Either within a Master's studio of the Faculty of Architecture, in which case the TFE research question, related to one of the themes developed and/or to be developed by the studio concerned, is proposed by one or more teachers from the studio or defined in consultation with them, possibly in dialogue with a teacher from outside the studio.
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Or within a research laboratory of the Faculty of Architecture, in which case the research question, related to one of the themes developed and/or to be developed within the laboratory, is defined on the basis of a proposal put forward by the supervisors, thereby constituting an opportunity for the laboratory.
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Or on an alternating basis within the Faculty of Architecture's "Internship" Unit and within a host organisation, under the supervision of a professional holding the title of architect. In this case, the TFE research question, related to one of the themes developed and/or to be developed, is proposed by the supervisors or defined in consultation with them, in dialogue with the professional supervising the internship (referred to as the "internship supervisor"). The collaboration must be formally established and regulated through an internship agreement co-signed by the student, the internship supervisor, and the Faculty's "Internship" Unit.
Content ans structure of the master thesis
The master thesis must strictly comply with the scientific requirements of a university level. It is built on and around a strictly circumscribed research problem, a state of the art built in depth, providing a precise insight; and a structured methodological approach consistent with the research objectives pursued. These three key elements are the subject of the work carried out in the course Initiation à la Recherche en Architecture 2 : Principes avancés (ARCH0563-1).
The thesis "Project" must take the form of a manuscript and a set of deliverables dedicated to the "project" part, with traces being compiled into an associated folder. Both parties must report on the research approach taken to achieve the objectives pursued.
The content and structure of the Project Master's Thesis (TFE Projet) depend on its supervision framework: Studio, Research Laboratory, or Internship.
For further information, please refer to the regulations, available on the eCampus page of the TMEM563 course.
Form of the master thesis
The thesis is to be delivered in the form of a typed and bound manuscript comprising between 100,000 and 250,000 characters, including spaces, excluding footnotes, preface, bibliography, annexes, indexes and tables. The manuscript includes all the graphic documents necessary for proper communication and understanding of the research.
Bibliography, notes, citations and captions must be written in accordance with current scientific standards.
For more information, please refer to the TFE Rules published on eCampus
Ethical Considerations
All Master's theses (TFE) must comply with the ethical principles governing all scientific activities, particularly with regard to the collection, processing, and publication of results. This is especially important when the research involves personal data (interviews, questionnaires, observations, analysis of private documents, etc.) and/or data relating to a company or organisation.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is permitted, provided that it complies with the definition of the TFE as an individual piece of work. Students are therefore responsible for their work and must be able to explain and justify all of the content presented and developed therein.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Through this work, the student demonstrates his/her ability to carry out a personal, methodical and rigorous approach to a research question in architecture: to construct a relevant thought process, to seek, evaluate and cross-reference information, to identify, understand and deconstruct the obvious, opinions and commonplaces by adopting a critical stance, etc.
He also demonstrates the ability to organize and structure their thinking, to maintain an informed, critical and reflective position, to problematize architectural practice and to communicate the results of his or her research process in a well-argued manner.
For the thesis "Project" supervised by a design studio, we invite you to also read carefully the "learning outcomes" section of the studio that welcomes you.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The development of your EFT can be based on:
- The set of skills and knowledge acquired during your entire course, and more specifically in the field covered by your EFT;
- The know-how and tools specific to the architectural project;
- Skills and knowledge related to scientific research, acquired in the courses of Initiation to Research in Architecture 1 - Basic Principles and Initiation to Research in Architecture 2 - Advanced Principles.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The TFE is developed over two years, covering the entire Master's course:
- The Initiation to Research in Architecture 1: Basic Principles (ARCH0562-1) (Q1, 5 ECTS) course allows students to acquire the fundamentals of research and scientific writing.
- The Initiation to Research in Architecture 2: Advanced Principles (ARCH0563-1) (Q2, 5 ECTS) course that will allow you to structure and write a scientific notice explaining the research problem to be developed in your TFE.
- The development of TFE itself (Q3 and Q4, 30 ECTS)
Both supervisors are academic or scientific members of the University of Liège:
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Project Master's Thesis - Studio: one supervisor has the profile of "Studio Instructor", while the other has the profile of "Scientific Expert in the Field." The "Studio Instructor" must be a permanent academic or scientific member of the Faculty of Architecture and must be actively involved in the studio concerned.
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Project Master's Thesis - Research Laboratory: one supervisor has the profile of "Laboratory Researcher", while the other has the profile of "Scientific Expert in the Field." The "Laboratory Researcher" must be a permanent academic or scientific member of the Faculty of Architecture.
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Project Master's Thesis - Internship: one supervisor is a permanent academic or scientific member of the Faculty of Architecture and a member of the Internship Unit, while the other has the profile of "Scientific Expert in the Field." The Internship Supervisor is also partially involved in supervising the TFE, according to the expectations predefined and agreed upon with the supervisors.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
During Master's Year 2 (Q3 and Q4), students will benefit from the educational activities offered by the studio / research laboratory / host organisation, as well as from a workspace within the respective structure. Students are expected to work there an average of two days per week, according to a schedule and working arrangements defined by the supervisors (and by the Internship Supervisor in the case of a Project Master's Thesis - Internship).
Students are required to participate in the various studio activities / research activities of the laboratory / activities identified by the host organisation.
The supervisors undertake, towards the Faculty and the student under their supervision, to provide support and encouragement by meeting with the student regularly, answering their questions, and providing constructive feedback. At the beginning of the supervision period, they define and clearly communicate the arrangements for interaction and communication with the student (except during official holiday periods), and inform the student in the event of a prolonged absence.
For Project Master's Theses submitted during the second examination session (August), supervisors are not required to be available during the holiday period specified in the academic calendar. Any meetings or supervision sessions during this period are at the supervisors' discretion and must be agreed upon before the start of the holiday period
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- Microsoft Teams
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam AND oral exam
Written work / report
Further information:
Composition of the TFE jury
The TFE jury must be composed of:
- The two supervisors;
- A minimum of two and a maximum of four readers, including at least one internal reader from the Faculty of Architecture and at least one external reader;
- In the case of a Project Master's Thesis - Studio, the studio's supervisory team is automatically part of the jury;
- In the case of a Project Master's Thesis - Internship, the Internship Supervisor serves as the first external reader.
The student is solely responsible for deciding to submit his or her work. However, it is strongly advised to make this decision in consultation with the supervisors.
The TFE must be submitted in accordance with the schedule and procedures. These procedures are communicated by the Faculty on eCampus. They are set up in three stages, all sessions combined:
Submission of supervisor's selection/choice:
The choice and agreement of the promoter must be submitted at the time of the deposit of the scientific notice, at the end of the course Initiation to Research in Architecture 2: Advanced principles (ARCH0563-1) (Q2 - eCampus)
If the promoter fails, the management agreement is not automatically renewed. The student must then apply for a new application for the following year.
Submission of the composition of the jury and title of the TFE:
The composition of the jury and the final title of the TFE must be submitted on eCampus, at the date proposed by the Faculty (Q3 - eCampus).
The composition of the jury is reviewed by the Chair of the Master's Jury and the TFE coordinator and then approved by the Faculty Council.
Submission of the final manuscript:
The manuscript of the TFE must be deposited on the portal for access to the final study work of the Master's degree of the University of Liège, MatheO.
All sessions combined, students who do not comply with the procedures and deadlines for filing are automatically postponed
Evaluation procedure
Within the framework of the TFE Project, at least one evaluation is organized during the academic year. The schedule and expectations are set between the coaching team and the student. The weight of this intermediate test will represent 20% of the overall course score
The TFE is assessed by the jury members in an oral defence. The student is informed by the faculty of the schedule (date and time) a few days after the deposit on Matheo.
Oral defence is open to the public.
After the jury's defence and deliberation, it assigns a collegial grade to the work which is then announced to the student.
Evaluation criteria
The evaluation grid and criteria details are available on the eCampus area of the course.
For the TFE project developed in a Design Studio, we also invite you to read carefully the evaluation criteria of the studio concerned.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The student is invited to read carefully the TFE regulations posted on eCampus. It will answer the vast majority of his questions.
Contacts
Master thesis coordinator: Sophie TRACHTE: sophie.trachte@uliege.be
Administration: tfe.archi@uliege.be