THE DISSERTATION

In the final semester of your second year, you may opt to do a dissertation. The dissertation is a major piece of research work that culminates in a report of about 8000-10,000 words. It takes the place of two electives (8 Units).

Although you only enrol in the Dissertation course in Year 2 Sem 2, you should start thinking about your overall research topic and potential supervisor towards the end of Year 1 Sem 2 or, latest, by Year 2 Sem 1. There is a lot of preparation involved to doing a dissertation: from formulating the research question and scope, to reviewing the literature, to identifying an appropriate methodology to answer the question, to reflecting on the significance of the question and writing the report. You should already be working these out by the time you start the dissertation in Year 2 Sem 2. However, the long timeline and the invested effort may be rewarding, as this course enables you to explore in detail a research topic you might be particularly interested in. It may help you advance particular skills and achieve individual learning goals, and some dissertations in the past resulted in conference and journal papers. This course may be especially useful to students who contemplate on a research career, giving them an opportunity to dip their toes into academic research, and potentially resulting in a publication that may strengthen their applications to PhD programmes.

Assistant Professor Dr Filip Biljecki oversees the Dissertation course. If you are interested in doing a dissertation, you should speak with him early so that he can point you to the right direction. As the overall coordinator, Prof Biljecki’s role is not to supervise and read your dissertation (though he may serve also as a supervisor if the overall topic you have in mind aligns with his research interests and expertise). Confirmed list of supervisors in AY2023/24 include: Assist. Prof Dr Filip Biljecki, Assist. Prof Dr Zdravko Trivic, Assoc. Prof Dr Cho Im Sik, and Assoc. Prof Dr Fu Yuming (TBC). However, the list is subject to change, and you may also, with the help of Prof Biljecki, identify and speak with another professor (not in the list) to be the supervisor for your dissertation. The supervisor will work with you directly on defining the research topic further and mentoring you throughout the research process.

All dissertations will be assessed by two readers – your supervisor and a second faculty member who will be appointed by the Department.

Examples of past dissertation research:

 Dovolis, Christina. 2020. "The New Public Space is Virtual: Analyzing Decreases in Physical Urban Space & Rises in Virtual Interactions During COVID-19". Supervisor: Mr Jeffrey Ho.

 See, Boon Ping. 2020. "Overlapping Boundaries: Assessing the impact of inconsistent subnational boundaries on urban planning and identity in Singapore". Supervisor: Prof Johannes Widodo.

 Li, J., & Biljecki, F. 2019. The implementation of big data analysis in regulating online shortterm rental business: A case of Airbnb in Beijing. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, IV-4/W9, 7986. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-IV-4-W9-79-2019

STUDIO AT SDE 4, Level 6

A key part of your learning experience in the MUP Programme will be forged in a studio environment. Depending on your background, this may or may not be familiar to you. In many ways, the studio simulates how physical planning is conducted in actual professional practice –collaborative, multi- disciplinary and deadline- driven. It can be intense and exciting, but it can also be bewildering and stressful. The purpose of the 6- week Planning Foundation and Software Skills Workshop is to acclimatise you to this mode of learning. Over the course of your two years with us, we also hope that the studio evolves to become a space where you can socialize, relax, and plan your future.

In general, keep to the space that is allocated to the MUP programme. Keep your space clean and maintain it in a manner that is productive and comfortable. If there is a need to expand into the space occupied by another graduate programme for an event, inform the programme director in advance and always return the space back immediately after use.

1. Security and Card access

The STUDIO is a secured building. All students and staff need to obtain a security card in order to access the premises. You will be informed on the procedures to obtain the security card.

2. TV screens

TV screens in studio space are shared between two MUP cohorts.

3. HVAC

The HVAC system at the STUDIO is centrally controlled. Air -conditioning switches off automatically at 6pm.

4. Location of STUDIO

Address: DOA Studio@Level 6, Architecture Building, SDE 4-06-01

5. Studio Space Layout: SDE4, Level 6

Further details on specific studio layout and groupings will be provided closer to the first studio session.

Computer Lab And Software

1. The school has procured ArcGIS licenses for all MUP students. In the Planning Foundation and Software Skills workshop, you will be trained to use the more generic QGIS software. However, if you wish to pick up ArcGIS on your own, or if you intend to use it for studio or another course, you can download the license for your use.

2. In addition, the Department has three Computer Labs that are well-stocked with all kinds of software for architectural design, spatial data analytics, graphic design, and office management:

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Acrobat

Autodesk AutoCAD

Autodesk Revit

Autodesk CFD Ultimate

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Desktop

ArcGIS CityEngine

Rhino

Sketchup Pro

Google Chrome

MS Edge

MS Office

Google Earth Pro

Openstudio

QGIS

Climate Studio

Vray for Rhino

The Computer Labs are located at Digital Design Lab 1 (SDE 3-03-13), Digital Design Lab 2 (SDE 3-03-14) and Digital Design Lab 3 (SDE 3-03-15). You can use the labs at any time, though sometimes classes are conducted there and they would be partially or fully occupied.