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Master of Heritage Conservation
Admission Requirements | Core Units of Study | Option Units & Electives | Professional Development Courses
What is this course about?
The Heritage Conservation Program’s primary aim is to develop skills in the care and conservation of traditional and modern buildings, the latter a growing concern of contemporary conservation practice. The program allows students/participants to develop specific skills in assessment, interpretation, management, formulation of policy, and documentation of culturally significant places, including buildings, sites and cultural landscapes. New changes and innovations to the course structure will focus on the design of excellent new architectural additions, alterations and adaptations to old buildings of recognised value and the conservation of modern materials. Secondary aims include the promotion of social relevance and cultural continuity as cornerstones of conservation.
The program emphasises the importance of management issues and a practical understanding of the mechanisms of statutory authorities, both local and international, which affect conservation and development. It is broad based, to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of conservation practice.
A graduate internship provides a link between the academic core of the program and the discipline and methods of practice.
Who should take this course?
Anyone interested in the conservation of the built environment will find this course suitable to developing specialist conservation skills, whether from an architectural, town planning, archaeological, historical, engineering, or other related backgrounds.
Program Coordinator: Trevor Howells
Admission Requirements
Masters applicants should hold a bachelors degree with a credit average. Graduate Diploma applicants should hold a bachelors degree. Graduate Certificate applicants should hold a bachelors degree or possess experience which is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake the course.
Core Units of Study
Total credit points required
Graduate Certificate 24
Core 18, Options 6, Electives 0
Graduate Diploma 48
Core 30, Options 6, Electives 12
Master 72
Core 48, Options 12, Electives 12
History and Theory of Conservation
ARCH 9074, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: weekly
The purpose of this unit is to help student is the intent to develop an appropriate level of knowledge in the development of the ideas and practices of conservation over an historical perspective from Classical times to the present in the Western and Non-Western context.
Conservation Methods & Practices
ARCH 9028, 12 credit points, semester 1, classes: weekly
The unit focuses on culturally significant structures and cultural landscapes and includes: methods of survey and documentation (locating, describing and recording components with possible heritage value; identifying and reading historic fabric; historic and archival research methods; thematic history methods; pattern recognition; natural systems; settlements; cultural mapping; aesthetic analysis; material and stylistic analysis); evaluation methodology (assigning heritage significance); assessment methodology (establishing conservation priorities); and appropriate conservation actions (conservation and management plans, policies and strategies).
New Design in Old Settings
ARCH 9075, 6 credit points, semester 2, classes: weekly
This unit will cover one of the most fundamental aspects of heritage conservation. Designing infill and new additions to historic buildings and precincts are the common practice of architecture over all time in all cultures. It is critical that all heritage conservation practitioners, irrespective of their disciplinary background and expertise develop skills of assessment of the impact of new on the heritage significance of existing contexts, visual and spatial literacy in the design of new fabric in old settings.
Graduate Internship
DESC 9153, 6 credit points, semester 1 & 2
The aims of the internship are to provide a direct link between the academic core of the course and the disciplines and methods of practice, to enable students to experience aspects of practice and provide the opportunity for them to work in areas of the field outside their specific expertise. The student must complete 120 hours of work and submit a log book and a 2000 word report.
Planning Procedures
PLAN 9061, 6 credit points, semester 1 & 2, classes: intensive
This unit familiarises you with the legal and policy context for urban and regional planning in Australia, and develops core skills in preparing, interpreting and implementing planning instruments. You will learn about social, economic and environmental considerations in planning practice and development control, with a focus on the NSW planning system. Guest speakers include industry professionals from the public and private sector. Assessments are based on contemporary case studies and contribute to a portfolio of professional work.
Research Report
ARCH 9031, 12 credit points, semester 1 & 2 (for Masters students only)
The Report aims to provide opportunities for you to pursue and demonstrate research skills in appropriate conservation themes relevant to your cultural interests and professional background.
Option Units & Electives
Modern Architectural Theory
MARC 4201, 6 credit points, semester 1 weekly
Conservation Design Studio
ARCH 9084, 6 credit points, semester 2 weekly
Conservation of Traditional Materials
ARCH 9082, 6 credit points, semester 2 weekly
Conservation of Modern Materials
ARCH 9084, 6 credit points, semester 2 weekly (available 2011)
Electives
Students are encouraged to choose electives from any graduate program. Students must refer to the web for timetables.