Master of Design Science (Illumination Design)

Admission Requirements | Core Units of Study | Option Units | Professional Development Courses | Career Profile | Student Work

This is a professional program for architects, interior designers, engineers, ergonomists and related professionals. The aim is to improve the quality of lighting design and the quality of the luminous environment.

This program is one of only a few in the world. Its emphasis is on producing good lighting designers by introducing you to the multidisciplinary background of lighting knowledge before integrating this knowledge into the general process of lighting design.

This program runs on a 2 year cycle, the next cycle starts in 2009. There is no admission for International Students in 2008. The next admission for International Students is 2009.

Program Coordinator: Associate Professor Warren Julian

Professional membership
Successful completion of the masters coursework program will qualify you for full membership of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand, subject to the required practical experience.

Admission Requirements

Masters and 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.

Commencing in July Semester

This course runs on a two year cycle. Starting in March 2009 provides a much more satisfying course of study. For more information about the course cycle, please contact Sue Lalor on 02 9351 2686 or

International Students

Master of Design Science (Illumination) (CC048 single stream - 72 credit points course) is only offered to International Students in March semester in an odd year (ie. 2009, 2011)

Master of Design Science (Illumination)(CC148 secondary stream) (double stream– 96 credit points course) is only offered to International Student in March semester in an odd or even year.

There is no entry for July semester for international students.

Graduate Certificate in Design Science (Illumination) and Graduate Diploma in Design Science (Illumination) (CG048) are not offered to international students.

News from China:
http://tech.enorth.com.cn/system/2003/10/14/000649874.shtml

Core Units of Study

Total credit points required

Graduate Certificate 24
Core 24, Options 0, Electives 0
Graduate Diploma 48
Core 36, Options 6, Electives 6
Master 72
Core 36, Options 18, Electives 18


Photometric and Colorimetric Concepts and Mensuration
DESC 9166, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive
This course introduces the rational system of measurement of lighting qualities and provides the bases for photometric and colorimetric calculations. Topics include: the development of the system of measurement of luminous flux; luminous intensity; illuminance; luminance; reflectance; luminance factor; transmittance; mention of refraction, diffraction and reflection laws; relationships between luminous qualities; basic calculations involved with diffuse surfaces; inverse square law; cosine law; interreflections; Munsell Colour System; CIE Colour System; graphical representation of photometric data; measuring instruments; accuracy; repeatability; colorimetric calculations (chromaticity coordinates Yxy, L*A*B*, Luv, correlated colour temperature, colour rendering indices); the integrating sphere; goniophotometry; distribution photometry. Various measurement and calculation techniques are applied in the laboratory exercises which support the course.


Vision and Visual Perception
DESC 9167, 6 credit points, semester 1, classes: intensive
An introduction to the science and art of illumination, examining how individuals maintain contact with and gather information about their environment via their sensory systems, and how this information is dealt with by the brain to create complex perception and awareness of the environment. After a brief general overview of human sensory systems the physiological and psychological processes in seeing are discussed. Topics covered are: the dual nature of light; the physiology of the eye and its musculature; light detection; the visual anomalies; contrast sensitivity; colour vision; adaptation; brightness and lightness. The processes involved in image detection and recognition are discussed including: edge detection; lightness determination; the association of the characteristics of patterns; camouflage; stereopsis; the importance of the visual attributes of tasks, such as alphabets; expectation. Some of the characteristics of seeing are explored in the laboratory, particularly the size-contrast-luminance relationship.

Light Sources and Luminaires
DESC 9164, 6 credit points, semester 2, classes: intensive
Prerequisites: DESC 9166 or 9072
The various methods employed in the production of light and the performance criteria applied to the sources are discussed. Topics covered include: a historical outline of the development of sources; the practical requirements of light sources; black-body radiation; the sun; the sky; gaseous discharges; electroluminescence; chemiluminescence; incandescent lamps; the halogen cycle; fluorescence; tubular fluorescent lamps; various high pressure and low pressure discharge lamps. Practical lamps are discussed in terms of luminous efficacy, spectral output, colour rendering, life, supply requirements, control gear, cost, etc.

The Visual Field and Human Factors
DESC 9168, 6 credit points, semester 2, classes: intensive
Prerequisites: DESC 9085 or 9167
Development of material dealt with in the course Vision and Visual Perception to examine full-field vision and the human factors involved in lighting the visual field. Topics covered include: the definition of the visual field with regard to size, luminance, contrast and time; the extension of threshold studies to practical task situations; the evaluation of visual tasks with regard to difficulty and complexity; the development of measures of discomfort and disability glare; the illuminance and glare scales used in practical standards; methods for the assessment of tasks and environments; experimental techniques of evaluation, such as multi-dimensional scaling. Laboratory exercises on the assessment of environments in physical and psychophysical terms are used to support the lectures and demonstrations.

Daylight in Buildings
DESC 9169, 6 credit points, semester 1 (Available 2010), classes: intensive
This unit provides an overview of research in daylight measurement and knowledge about the possibilities for daylight design for building. Topics include: The atmosphere and daylight; sky luminance distributions; daylight measurement; innovative daylight technologies including 'light shelves'; 'beam' lighting and photochromic glasses.

Lighting Design
DESC 9165, 12 credit points, semester 1 (Available 2010), classes: intensive
This unit brings together the material of four basic lighting units to develop the concepts and methodologies of interior and exterior lighting design. Topics covered include: the perception of colour, form, pattern and space, and issues relating to the perception and comprehension of the large-scale environment: aesthetics, perception and emotion. More advanced methods of interior lighting design topics follow including: design appearance techniques; lighting systems; colour and atmosphere-creating. The requirements for various exterior lighting applications are discussed such as: floodlighting equipment, calculations methods, road lighting. Various computer-aided design methods are discussed and demonstrated.

Option Units

Lighting and Photography
DESA 9160, 6 credit points, semester 1 intensive

Theatre and Performance Lighting
DESC 9152, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Lighting Internship
DESC 9153, 6 credit points, semester 1 & 2
Available with permission

Services Control Systems
DESC 9170, 6 credit points, semester 2 intensive

Electrical Services
See Building Services

Financial & Managerial Accounting
See Building Services

Project & Contract Management
See Building Services

Introduction to Building Services
See Building Services

Energy Management in Buildings
See Facilities Management

Lighting Design Masterclass
Available 2010

Lighting Design Software
Available 2010

Electives
Students are encouraged to choose electives from any graduate program. Students must refer to the web for timetables.

Just want to study one unit of study as professional development?

• For Professional Development courses click here

Career Profile

Peter Koulos

How did you find out about the Illumination Design course? The company I work for has been promoting and encouraging both graduate and more senior engineers to carry out the Masters of Design Science course as part of their professional development. With a keen interest in lighting design, I identified there were a number of relevant subjects under the Illumination stream that would benefit me and increase my knowledge in this subject. I actually applied for and was awarded the Klaus Englehardt Memorial scholarship which covered my attendance to the graduate certificate component of the Illumination Design course. The way the course was structured allowed me to develop and expand my understanding of lighting design and how lighting is much more than pointing or positioning luminaires in a space. The elements of surfaces, texture, contrast, visual perception and quality of lighting are emphasised within the course together with teaching the technical details of luminaire and lighting design.

Professor Warren Julian with prominent professionals at our booth in New Dehli at the Light India International Exhibition:

Bo Stieber's Work
Restaurant : Kushin-Bo Japanese Restaurant in Suntec City, Singapore, Lighting by Bo Steiber, Bo Steiber Lighting Design, Singapore

Bar Counter: Ole' Sports Bar, Mumbai, India, Lighting by Bo Steiber, Bo Steiber Lighting Design, Singapore

Student Work

This is student Raquel Mari Yoshizawa's redesign for a refurbishment of the USYD Union Holme Building. Illumination design is explored through creative modelling and simulation of aesthetic lighting for interiors and exteriors of buildings using funky forms.