Bilkent University Quality Management in Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design (2017)

Foundation

1995

Qualification Awarded

Doctor of Philosophy in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design

Level of Qualification

Third Cycle Degree

Mode of Study

Full Time

Admission & Registration Requirements

Applicants are required to have a Master's degree in a relevant field. In addition to the general requirements set forth by the university, admittance is through an interview given before the beginning of each academic year. The date and place of the interview is announced each year by the university. All students are expected to be fluent in written and oral English in order to be admitted to the program.

Assessment of Student Performance

Apart from work conducted throughout the semester, students are usually asked to take a final examination and at least one midterm examination for a course. If a staff member considers it appropriate, practical laboratory work or other such assignments may be assessed as midterm examinations or as a final examination.

Grades are finalized when they are announced via the internet on the date specified in the Academic Calendar. Semester grades for practical studies and other non-lecture courses are determined by an evaluation of the student's overall work and performance throughout the semester.

The University grading system uses letter grades with pluses and minuses. Letter grades and their grade point equivalents are: A+ to D; F, FX is failing. The quality-point equivalents of the grades are:

  A+   4.00   B+   3.30   C+   2.30   D+   1.30   F   0.00
  A   4.00   B   3.00   C   2.00   D   1.00   FX   0.00
  A-   3.70   B-   2.70   C-   1.70           FZ   0.00

Other grades used are S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), I (Incomplete), P (In Progress), T (Transfer), and W (Withdraw). These grades do not have grade point equivalents.

S : accorded to students who are successful in non-credit courses.
     
U : accorded to students who are unsuccessful in non-credit courses.
     
I : accorded to students who, although otherwise successful, have failed to complete the required assignments for a course due to illness or some other valid reason. Proof of illness or other reason for non-completion must be submitted within two days of the date of the final exam. A student receiving an incomplete grade for any course must make up for the deficiencies within 14 days after the final exam in order to obtain a grade. Otherwise, the grade I automatically becomes FX. At the discretion of the department chair, the period specified above may be extended until the beginning of the following semester. P : progress, used for multi-semester courses.
     
P : progress, used for multi-semester courses.
     
T : reflects approved transferred courses from other universities or from an exchange program. A student with a grade of T is exempted from an equivalent number of credits on the condition that the courses are accepted by the department on the recommendation of the department chair and with the approval of the board of the faculty/school. This grade may provide an exemption for a particular course at the program.
     
W : student has withdrawn from the course before the withdrawal deadline of the respective semester.

A student with extraordinary performance in a course may be granted an A+ grade. However, the number of A+ grades in a given course is limited based on class size: If the class size is less than 25 students, no A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 25 and 74 students, only one A+ grade may be given; if the class size is between 75 and 124 students, two A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 125 and 174 students, three A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 175 and 225 students, four A+ grades may be given; if the class size is more than 225 students, five A+ grades may be given. (The letter grade A+ was instituted beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year.)

Students who have not met the minimum performance and/or attendance requirements to qualify to take the final exam receive an FZ grade before the final exams begin. Failing students who have not shown up at the final exam receive an FX grade instead of an F.

In graduate programs, in addition to grade S, a grade of C or higher is a passing grade in masters programs and a grade of B or higher is a passing grade in Ph.D. programs. Letter grades lower than C and grade U are failing grades in masters programs and grades lower than B and grade U are failing grades in Ph.D. programs.

A student's academic performance is determined at the end of each semester by computing an average of the letter grades he/she has received during that semester. For each course, the grade point equivalent of the letter grade received by the student is multiplied by the credit units for that course; the sum of these products is then divided by the total credit units taken in that semester to yield the Grade Point Average (GPA) for that semester. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by multiplying the grade point equivalent of the letter grade by the credit units for each course and then dividing the total sum by the total credit units taken in the program.

National Degree Qualifications

Architecture and Construction Basic Field Qualifications (Academic - Weighted) - 8th Level - Doctor of Philosophy
NQF-HETR
LEVEL
KNOWLEDGE
- Theoretical
- Conceptual
SKILLS
- Cognitive
- Practical
COMPETENCES
Competence to Work
Independently and
Take Responsibility
Learning Competence Communication and Social
Competence
Field Specific Competence
8th Level Doctorate

EQF-LLL:
8th Level

QF-EHEA:
3rd Cycle
Qualifications that signify completion of the sixth cycle are awarded to students who
K1. Have systematic knowledge and understanding covering the latest developments in the field of research on the basis of competences gained in the master's degree in order to make a remarkable and unique contribution to the knowledge in the field.
K2. Have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the ethical principles underlying the norms and standards of good practice in research and publication.
K3. Have the necessary knowledge and understanding about teaching / learning and evaluation strategies and their theoretical foundations.
K4. Have the knowledge and understanding of the latest developments in the interfaces between the research field and other related fields.
K5. Have the knowledge and understanding of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary research strategies, tactics and techniques used in the interfaces between the research field and other fields.
S1. Possess the most advanced skills and techniques required to identify problems in the field of research and / or innovation, solve important problems and expand and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice, including synthesis and evaluation.
S2. Mastery in using relevant research strategies, tactics and techniques.
S3. Have the ability to conduct a pioneering academic research dialectically and have the ability to engage in a pioneering academic dialogue for dialectical results.
S4. In his / her professional doctoral study, shows that he / she is in the theoretical search for improving the effectiveness of professional practice community and understanding of professional design.
W1. Demonstrate the highest level of competence in academic or professional contexts, including research contexts, a remarkable authority in the development of new ideas or processes, innovation, independence, academic and professional integrity and determination.
W2. Decide and act by associating knowledge and insight into a broader social, cultural, economic and historical context.
W3. Contribute to the knowledge in the field by developing a qualified study based on original research, some of which are worth to be published in national and international refereed journals.
W4. Exhibit leadership and innovation in working and learning conditions that require the solution of new, complex and unpredictable problems involving multiple interrelated factors.
L1. Contribute to technological, social and cultural progress in an information-based society in academic and professional contexts.
L2. Demonstrate his / her capacity to develop new ideas; have a high level of understanding of learning processes.
C1. Analyze, evaluate and synthesize new and complex ideas that correspond to the most advanced level in the field of research with a critical and dialectical approach.
C2. Communicate effectively with peers, a wider research community and the community in general in the field of expertise.
C3. Establish and discuss at the advanced level written, oral and visual communication by using European Language Portfolio C1 General Level.
F1. Contribute to the knowledge in the field by developing a qualified study based on original research, some of which are worth to be published in national and international refereed journals.
F2. Demonstrate experience of operational interaction with decision-making capacity in the face of complex problems in the field.
F3. Analyze, evaluate and synthesize critically new and complex ideas that correspond to the most advanced level in the field of research.
F4. Make a critical, dialectical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
F5. Establish, design, implement and adapt a research process related to the field in academic integrity.
F6. Support the development of social, scientific, cultural and ethical values related to the field, contribute to the solution of problems, becomes effective in decision-making processes.

Program Outcomes

  1. a. Develop, apply, and expand knowledge of principles, strategies, and methodologies of design research and the design process.
  2. b. Integrate and critically assess research information, significant concepts and theories within the field of design theories and methods, environmental psychology, and building science studies.
  3. c. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of different quantitative and qualitative research methods for innovative problem solving in design research, processes and professional practice.
  4. d. Produce and present new design guidelines for design research, processes and professional practice.
  5. e. Design a research process by conducting a literature review, carrying out empirical research, analyzing and interpreting data, and writing a research report.
  6. f. Convey, discuss, and critically evaluate written, oral, and visual communication through research reports, group discussions, oral presentations, and scholarly publications.
  7. g. Demonstrate decision-making, leadership, and pioneering academic research skills appropriate to complex design processes in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments.
  8. h. Present and publish original research in national and international contexts.
  9. i. Have the knowledge of ethical principles of research conduct and demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility.
  10. j. Initiate, undertake and complete independently comprehensive acedemic research projects in national, international and multidsicplinary contexts.
  11. k. Conceive, develop and apply knowledge in learning, teaching and assessment strategies.

Program Outcomes/Degree Qualification Matrix

 Program Outcomes
Qualification(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)(k)
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
S1
S2
S3
S4
W1
W2
W3
W4
L1
L2
C1
C2
C3
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

Program Curriculum

Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
GE 500 Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics 0 0 0 1
GE 690 Academic Practices 0 0 0 24
IAED 501 Graduate Studio I 2 2 3 5
IAED 502 Graduate Studio II 0 3 3 5 IAED 501
IAED 511 Research Methods I 3 0 3 5
IAED 690 Seminar in Advanced Research Topics 0 0 0 1
IAED 699 Ph.D. Dissertation 0 0 0 179
Elective 12


Elective Courses in the Curriculum

Elective Count Program Outcomes Options
Elective 4