Courses

Third-cycle studies in architecture that are to be concluded with a doctoral degree consist of a course component of 70-90 credits. The course part consists of a fixed set of mandatory courses common for all doctoral students at UMA and a variable number of courses individually determined according to the doctoral student’s needs.

Mandatory courses developing specific competence in architecture and its research methodologies are: 

• Theory of Science and Research Methodologies in Architecture (7.5 ECTS credits) — Dec. 2024 to June 2025 
• Concepts, theories and sustainability perspectives of architecture (7.5 ECTS credits) — TBA 

ResArc courses

As part the Swedish research school ResArc, a collaboration between the schools of architecture at KTH, Chalmers, LTH, and Umeå University, UMA contributes to the development of a thematic series of courses, seminars, and workshops for doctoral students. 

ResArc’s thematic doctoral courses offer 7,5 ECTS credits and are regularly scheduled, with 1-2 courses offered per academic year, so that enrolled students can plan their participation throughout their education. The courses assure a subject-specific range of contents related to architectural theory, history, materiality, socio-spatiality, design, and practice. They typically include a theoretical introduction (phase 1), an exercise where approaches and methods are tried (phase 2), and a public outcome, such as an article, intervention, or exhibition (phase 3). At least one phase may involve a situation-specific investigation. 

ResArc thematic courses developing specific competence in architecture and its research methodologies are: 

• Approaches: Theory of Science and Research Methodologies in Architecture (7.5 ECTS credits) — Dec. 2024 to June 2025 
• Philosophies: Philosophies in Architectural and Urban Research (7.5 ECTS credits) — TBA 
• Communications: Knowledge Communication in Architectural Research (7.5 ECTS credits) — TBA 
• Tendencies: Tendencies in Architectural and Urban Research (7.5 ECTS credits) — TBA 

Courses at the Faculty of Science and Technology 

Each term, the Faculty of Science and Technology offers several of the mandatory courses listed below, which are announced online. For upcoming course dates, detailed information, and application instructions, click here.

Mandatory courses developing general competence at the Faculty of Sciency and Technology are: 

• Introduction to Doctoral Studies at the Faculty of Science and Technology (1 ECTS credit) — Autumn 2024 (lecture October 31th) 
• Philosophy of Science (2 ECTS credits) — Spring 2025 
• Introduction to Research Ethics (2 ECTS credits) — Spring 2025 
• Oral Presentation (1 ECTS credit) — Spring 2025 
• Writing Science (5 ECTS credits) — Spring 2025 
• Basic statistics and research methodology (5 ECTS credits) — TBA 

Elective courses developing general competence at the Faculty of Sciency and Technology are:  

• Writing Research Proposals that Get Funded (3ECTS credits) — TBA 
• Communicating Scientific Research (3ECTS credits) — Spring 2025 
• Innovation and Utilization of Ideas, Knowledge, and Research Results (2ECTS credits) — TBA