Masters Research Offerings

We are pleased to share with you our MArch Research offerings.

Each offering has been listed below. Please click on the topic to find out more. These are subject to change.

Semester 1 2026

ARCH7074 | ARCH7084 | ADPS7060

Semester 2 2026

ARCH7075 | ARCH7094 | ADPS7061

Course Descriptions

ADPS7060 | ADPS7061 Architectural Research: Thesis

Course Coordinator

Silvia Micheli | Liz Brogden

ADPS7060/7061 – Year-long, 4 unit thesis

ADPS7060 and 7061 is a guided independent research project conducted through a series of advisory meetings and self-directed study. It is a year-long, 4-unit course. Thesis offers students the opportunity to undertake a focussed research project in a specific area of research interest. The course expects students to achieve an advanced level of academic argument and the mastery of instruments for constructing and expressing that argument.

The research project culminates in a body of work that communicates the process, outcomes and value of the research. This may include, as agreed with the thesis advisor, a written dissertation, fieldwork reports, artefacts from material experiments, and research reports.
Students will meet with their advisor for one hour per week, or a blocked equivalent. The thesis student cohort, coordinator and advisors will meet together during the semester to provide all with an overview and comparison of the research being undertaken and the expectations for thesis.
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Thesis is available to students who:

have completed 16-units of the MArch program,
have, or expect to have a GPA of 5.5 or above,
and have the support of a potential advisor on a topic outlined on the application.

Students who do not meet the criteria above will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students who are considering enrolling in a Higher Degree by Research degree (Master or Doctor of Philosophy) are strongly encouraged to undertake the Thesis option.

Application process

Identify a potential advisor who is a member ofthe full-time academic staff within the School. Please be aware that staff members are generally taking on Thesis students on top of their allocated teaching load, so you need to be working on a project of interest to them and where they have expertise. You can find descriptions of staff research interests at UQ Researchers. We are unable to take on topics where no suitable staff are available to advise.
Discuss your ideas for thesis with the proposed advisor. You are welcome (and encouraged) to propose topics of your own interest.
If you are applying for ADPS7063 please show the research findings you have made in a previous course can be the basis of a thesis completed with 2-units of work.
Complete the applicationform available here: https://survey.app.uq.edu.au/ThesisApplication
The Course Coordinator will decide on applications in consultation with the proposed advisor, and on the basis of academic record. Following this, the School of Architecture, Design and Planning will advise you of the next steps.

ARCH7074 Research Lab: Environmental Performance

Course Coordinator

James Gall

Environmental Performance Research Lab

The Environmental Performance Research Lab will focus on making quantitative assessments of the environmental impact on common building types in South East Queensland. The Research Lab will introduce the frameworks, methods and assumptions that underpin the specific environmental aspects of embodied energy and thermal comfort. It will also introduce the use of the computational and software tools used for carbon calculations and the assessment of thermal comfort in current and future climates within Australia.

Lectures will address these specific aspects but will also place them in the broader environmental context and introduce students to the ongoing research projects at the School of Architecture that quantify environmental performance. Students are encouraged to research case study projects that will be outlined in the first week of class. If you are working in a local practice then it is possible research an active design or construction project, but permissions will need to be obtained both from the course coordinator and the practices for this to occur.

ARCH7075: Research Lab: Computation & Digitisation

ARCH7084 Research Lab: History and Heritage

Course Coordinator

Dr Kelly Greenop + John Macarthur

Research Lab

This Research Lab introduces architectural history and heritage approaches, theories and methods, and asks students to undertake a recording and/or analysis of an historic or heritage place to produce a research report, essay, or digital documentation utilising those theories and frameworks.

In Semester 1 2026, students will have the opportunity to undertake field work as part of the course, with the aim being to travel to the historic city of Maryborough during the mid-semester break to record heritage information and learn how to use that data in a variety of ways. Those who do not want to travel to Maryborough will have other options for their research focus that do not require travel.

ARCH7094 Research Lab: Culture and Place

Course Coordinator

Caroll Go-Sam

Research Lab

Master of Architecture courses from 20 architectural schools across Australia are invited be part of the Venice Architecture Biennale: HOME by creating objects of 'Living Belonging'. Led by the Venice Biennale Australian Pavilion Creative Directors, students will create an object that expresses what home means to them. Selected objects will be exhibited in the Venice Architecture Biennale: HOME.

Hosted by the University of Sydney, this is a cross-university, four-week intensive course. Students will join with other students from across Australia for a series of lectures, yarns and reviews to support your work.

When: TBA
Where: Online and on campus at UQ - this is a 'Living Belonging' making experience only and does not include travel as part of the course
Requirements: Current enrolment in MArch and completion of at least one design studio course.