Program Overview

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Master of Science in Urban Design

The Master of Science in Urban Design program is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in urban design, enabling them to evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of real-world design proposals for buildings and urban environments.

Program Overview

The mission of the program is to provide the community with qualified architects who can deal with the complex issues of the urban environment and cities. The program objectives are to:

• Enable graduates to evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of real-world design proposals for buildings and urban environments.
• Provide students with advanced skills and knowledge to manage and supervise the development and implementation of design and intervention proposals related to the urban environment.
• Provide in-depth knowledge of the main subject areas of the urban environment regarding the relationships between built form, space, culture, developmental processes, and sustainability in its wide-ranging facets.
• Offer the ability to carry out independent study and research.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, applicants must have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Urban Land use, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
• Students with a CGPA between 2.5 and 2.99 on a scale of 4 or equivalent may be admitted conditionally.
• Evidence of proficiency in English: English EmSAT with a minimum score of 1400, or 6.0 IELTS academic, or TOEFL ITP score of 550 or its equivalent.
• Conditional admission may also be awarded to graduates of related programs such as civil engineering, interior design, or geography according to the department's discretion.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc program can work as:

• Designers and construction managers
• Decision-makers for city planning, community agencies, or governmental authorities
• Graduates can also pursue their studies to gain a PhD degree and join academic institutions.

Graduation Requirements

To be qualified for graduation, the student must:

• Complete the core and elective courses with a minimum AGPA of 3.0.
• Pass the thesis examination with a minimum of 80 percent (B grade).

Collaboration with University of Florida

The College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD) at Ajman University has established a collaborative program with the University of Florida (UFL) College of Design, Construction, and Planning. The program entails earning an MSc in Urban Design from AU and a Master's of Science in Architectural Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Design from UFL.

Program Structure and Credit Hours

The Master degree in Architecture in Urban Design requires the completion of 30 Credit Hours, classified as follows:

• Core courses: 15 credit hours
• Electives: 6 credit hours
• Thesis: 9 credit hours The study plan for full-time students extends over a two-year period (two semesters for the coursework and one semester for the thesis).

Major Courses

The major courses include:

• MUD605 Urban Design Studio
• MUD610 History And Theory of Urbanism
• MUD611 Sustainability and Energy Saving
• MUD620 Social & Economic Factors in Urban Development
• MUD621 Research Methods
• MUD641 Thesis I
• MUD642 Thesis II

Electives

The elective courses include:

• MUD650 Urban Landscape Design
• MUD651 Management of Urban Projects
• MUD622 Real Estate Development
• MUD612 Architecture and Urban Environment in the Gulf

Course Descriptions

• MUD610 History and Theory of Urbanism: This course attempts to explore the history of urbanism, providing the basic foundation and understanding of the history and theory of urbanism from ancient times to contemporary trends.
• MUD611 Sustainability and Energy Saving: The course will examine the role of technology and how it may contribute most effectively to sustainable development.
• MUD620 Social and Economic Factors in Urban Development: This course aims to introduce students to the history and development of urban form, the social and economic factors that contribute to shaping urban form, and sustainability and energy issues associated with urban form.
• MUD621 Research Methods: The course introduces the student to the research methods used in urban affairs, including the basics of data gathering and analysis with special emphasis on site-related issues.
• MUD605 Urban Design Studio: The course is intended to provide postgraduates with an appreciation of the visual, social, cultural, economic, and environmental impact of the uses and architecture of individual buildings within the fabric of the city.
• MUD641 Thesis I: The thesis should reflect the cumulative effort the student has made during their studies, offering a relevant view of the contemporary world of urban design, urban development, and architecture.
• MUD642 Thesis II: The thesis should reflect the cumulative effort the student has made during their studies, offering a relevant view of the contemporary world of urban design, urban development, and architecture.
• MUD622 Real Estate Development: This course explores strategies of Real Estate Development (RED) in Gulf Regions with special emphasis on UAE.
• MUD612 Architecture and Urban Environment in the Gulf Region: This course explores the cultural, economic, environmental, and technological issues affecting the spatial disposition, form, and character of urban buildings in the region.
• MUD650 Urban Landscape Design: This course aims to introduce students to specialize in landscape visualization, environmental perception, public land management processes, and sustainable landscapes.
• MUD651 Management of Urban Projects: This course introduces the student to project management of urban projects, including roles and environments, the project life cycle, and various techniques of work planning, control, and evaluation to achieve project objectives.

Program Learning Outcomes

The program outcomes are to produce professionals who:

• Are familiar with the main subject areas regarding relationships between built form, space, culture, and the developmental processes.
• Are familiar with sustainability in design proposals for buildings and urban environments.
• Are knowledgeable in advanced topics related to studies and analysis of the urban environment.
• Can implement advanced methods and techniques to critically evaluate, measure the success, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of design proposals for buildings and urban environments.
• Can apply advanced skills and knowledge to manage and supervise the development of design and intervention proposals related to the urban environment.
• Can apply advanced skills to implement design proposals related to the urban environment.
• Can apply advanced skills and knowledge in sustainability to the urban environment.
• Can instigate and carry out independent study and research.
• Can use modern techniques and methods such as computers and software.
• Can communicate in a clear and effective manner to enhance job performance.

Competencies

At completion of the Master's in Urban Design program, the graduate will be able to:

• Identify, formulate, and solve urban environment issues.
• Do detailed analysis and studies in urban environment matters.
• Team with multidisciplinary professions engaged in the urban design process.
• Analyze an urban area in terms of its sustainability.
• Recognize the need for life-long learning in the field of urban design.
• Professionally compete in the market and play an active role in the community.
• Demonstrate professionalism and regard for fellow professionals.
• Show good working ethics.