Ph.D. in Architecture
To be eligible for admission to the PhD program, candidates are required to have successfully completed a Masters degree in Architecture (MArch) from METU or an equivalent institution, and comply with the admission requirements and criteria given below. The PhD program in Architecture lasts a minimum of eight semesters. Degree requirements consist of formal coursework of a total minimum of 27 credits (2 required courses and 5 elective courses approved by the Department/Program of Architecture), a proficiency exam, a substantial PhD dissertation and its defense.
The PhD program in Architecture aims at enhancing research and scholarship in the fields of theory, design, knowledge and representation. It endows the doctoral student with the knowledges and skills and the development of appropriate ways of thinking and production required to cope with the growing complexity of contemporary research projects. Original and significant scholar contribution to the field is expected, as well as versatility in dealing with research projects of an interdisciplinary and/or technocentric nature. The formal coursework presents and investigates different epistemological, methodological or representational frameworks and scientific approaches used in the discipline and in other human or physical sciences and deals with the problems of integration, representation and communication of knowledge. Elective courses develop awarenessof current issues and topics in architectural debates and of the complex socio-cultural, economic and technological issues shaping contemporary architectural discourse and practice. A critical understanding and reinterpretation of the most recent theoretical debates and paradigms in architecture and in related fields and disciplines, as well as an effective consciousness of the social, historical and epistemological contexts of research is considered as a substantial part of doctoral research.The program endows the doctoral candidate with an awareness of the moral and ethical issues in scientific inquiry, competence in the synthesis and integration of knowledge in real world situations and the development of an ethos to this end.
The PhD program in Architecture is designed as an open, resourceful and adaptive infrastructure that fosters the building of innovative communities of research engaged in creative thinking. The intellectual and creative capital of candidates is promoted through productive communications between doctoral researchers and the academic staff. Candidates are counselled and advised on academic and organisational practices and clusters in their own field, allowing them access multiple academic, professional and social connections and networks to develop and disseminate their work.
Considering that the majority of doctoral candidates are interested in future academic careers, career planning is also on the agenda. The program provides for training both in research and teaching, attracting future academics nationwide to experience the research culture and scholarship developed there.
Existing and Evolving Research Tracks:
ARCHITECTURE, THEORY AND DESIGN
- ARCHITECTURE, SOCIETY AND CULTURE
- ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN RESEARCH AND RESEARCH BY DESIGN, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STRATEGIES
URBAN ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
- SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE: GREEN DESIGN, COMMUNITY DESIGN AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN ARCHITECTURE
- LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
- LANDSCAPE RESEARCH
COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN
Qualifications and competences of the graduates
The doctoral candidate is expected to work with a high degree of autonomy, displaying high standards of scholarship and effective and creative self-curation abilities. Candidates should display outstanding skills in the definition, planning and development of their research projects, which in turn should prove relevant and significant contributions to the field of knowledge within current architectural debates. Competence in the understanding and organization of interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary knowledge and its use and interpretation within the disciplinary field of design and architecture, as well as skills in complexity management are expected. Candidates assume professional and ethical responsibilities in research and its applications, and develop their work within the academic codes of conduct.
Dr. Zeynep Mennan
Associate Professor of Architecture
Program Director
