CENG-CC-02

Approved: May 2018

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING

ARCT 531/ Ethics and Professional Practice– L51

SPRING 2023

Instructor Information

Name : Madhavi Indraganti

Academic Title : Associate Professor
Office : C07-0224
Phone : 4403 4355
E-mail : madhavi@qu.edu.qa
Office Hours : Monday & Wednesday (11:30 am – 12:30 pm)

TA Information

Name : NA
Office :
Phone :
E-mail :
Office Hours :

Class/Laboratory Schedule
Day & Time : Sunday and Tuesday: 12:00 Noon – 1:20 pm Lecture

Location : C07-0252

Coordinator Information

Name/ Email/ Office/ Phone number : N/A

Course Information

Catalog Description:
Different aspects of professional practice; People and organizations involved in building industry;
Professional services during different phases of building projects are introduced and clarified; Different
practical problems of economic decisions. Different types of professional fees during the project
implementation are highlighted. Specifying professional ethics; clarifying the different professional
relationships between involved parties in the profession. Ethics of professional practice are
emphasized, and students learn ethical and legal responsibilities for public health, safety and welfare,
property rights, accessibility and other factors affecting design, as well as construction and architectural
practice.

Credits : 3 Credit hours (3, 3, 3)

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Contact Hours : 3 Contact hours

Prerequisites : ARCT 422 (Research Methods in Architecture)

Textbook(s):
§ The American Institute of Architects (AIA), (2014) The Architect’s Handbook of Professional
Practice 15th Edition, Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1-118-30882-0.

References:
§ Barry Wasserman, Patrick J. Sullivan and Gregory Palermo (2000), Ethics and the Practice of
Architecture. Wiley & Sons. ISBN-13: 978-0471298229.
§ Paul Segal (2006) Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, Norton
& Co. ISBN 13: 978-0393731804
§ AIA, Defining the Architect’s Basic Services, AIA Best Practices, July 2007.
https://www.aia.org/best-practices?query=

Course Objectives (COs):

The course aims to achieve the following objectives:
1. To enable students to understand ethics related to the architectural professional practice;
2. To enable students to understand different aspects of professional practice; and make
them aware of diverse professionals and organizations involved in the building industry;
3. To provide students with clear understanding on different professional relationships
between various parties related to the profession;
4. To impart students the knowledge on their ethical and legal responsibilities towards
public health, safety and welfare, property rights, accessibility and other factors
influencing design, construction and architectural practice.
5. To introduce and clarify various professional services provided during the different
phases of building projects;
6. To solve different practical problems of economic decisions related to the project, and to
acquire knowledge on the types of professional fees charged during the project
implementation.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

§ Collaboration: Ability to communicate with engineers of different professions to provide Service-
integrated-system execution drawings.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

NAAB Student Performance Criteria (SPCs):
§ D.1 Stakeholder Roles in Architecture: Understanding of the relationships among key
stakeholders in the design process—client, contractor, architect, user groups, local
community—and the architect’s role to reconcile stakeholder needs.
§ D.2 Project Management: Understanding of the methods for selecting consultants and
assembling teams; identifying work plans, project schedules, and time requirements; and
recommending project delivery methods.
§ D.3 Business Practices: Understanding of the basic principles of a firm’s business
practices, including financial management and business planning, marketing, organization,
and entrepreneurship.
§ D.4 Legal Responsibilities: Understanding of the architect’s responsibility to the public and
the client as determined by local regulations and legal considerations involving the practice
of architecture and professional service contracts.
§ D.5 Professional Conduct: Understanding of the ethical issues involved in the exercise of

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professional judgment in architectural design and practice and understanding the role of
local rules of conduct and ethical practice.

Relationship of Program Learning Outcomes to NAAB Student Performance Criteria:

Student Program Learning Outcomes
NAAB Performance
No. People & Communication Critical Collaboration
Criteria Design Technology Research
Equity & CAD Thinking
Stakeholder Role
D.1. xx
in Architecture
Project
D.2 xx
Management
Business
D.3 xx
Practices
Legal
D.4 xx
Responsibilities
Professional
D.5 xx
Conduct

Topics Covered:
Topics are covered across the semester in a sequential manner as shown in the following brief
and detailed schedules:
Topics Chapters SPCs COs Week/days
Lecture 1A: Introduction to ARCT 531 January 29, 2023
- Course Syllabus
- Lab assignments brief 1 D1, D4, D5 1,2 01
- SPC
Project 1 begins January 31, 2023
Lecture 2: The Profession of Architecture February 5, 2023
& AIA 1 D1, D4, D5 1,2 02
Lecture 2 continues February 7, 2023
Lecture 3: Professional Ethics & Conduct February 12, 2023
1 D1, D4, D5 2-5 03
National Sports Day Holiday February 14, 2023
Lecture 4: Case studies in Ethics 1 2-5 04 February 19, 2023
Discussion -1: Collaboration in
D3 D4, D5
Architecture
Special/ Guest Lecture* -1/ review February 21, 2023
Lecture 5: Design Liability Ar's Role February 26, 2023
2 D3 D4, D5 2-6 05
Lecture 5 Continued and in class review February 28, 2023
Lecture 6. Setting up an Ar’s office March 5, 2023
2 D3 D4, D5 2-6 06
Submission 1A (15% grade) March 7, 2023
Mid-Spring Vacation - - - March 12-16, 2023
Lecture 7: Practice organization & March 19, 2023
management Functions of management 4 All 2-6 07
Project work discussion March 21, 2023
Lecture 8: Project compensation and - 2-6 08 March 26, 2023
Design fees Risk management D3, D4, D5
Activity and Discussion Session 2 March 28, 2023
Sub -1B Exam (15%) (April 2 exam) April 2, 2023 Exam
Submisson -2 Progress Review (15%) April 4, 2023
3 All 2-6 09
(4th April in class review b4 the class
12:00 noon)
Lecture 9: Contracts, Specifications April 9, 2023
10
Interim review of Project (non-graded) April 11, 2023
Submission - 2 (15%) Final jury April 16, 2023
D3, D4, D5 11
Lecture 10: Bidding, Regulations and April 18, 2023

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documents
Eid-Al Fitr Vacation April 19-27, 2023
Lecture 11: Project Management Process April 30, 2023
4 D3, D4, D5 2-6 12
Submission 3 Class Review – (10%) May 2, 2023
Lecture 12: AIA Contract documents and May 7, 2023
AIA Bid documents 4 D3, D4, D5 2-6 13
Project review May 9, 2023
Project review May 14, 2023
4 D3, D4, D5 2-6 14
Exit exam Prep May 16, 2023
QU CENG Exit Exam (10%) May 21, 2023
All All 2-6 15
Final Project submission -3 (15%) May 23, 2023
Last Day of Classes Thursday 25 May 2023 [Week 15]; [Total = 15 Weeks]
Exam Period (Final jury/ submission ) TBA

Method of Instruction

1. Lectures, Project Briefs and handouts [Teaching material as per table above] in
accordance to the content of the course modules;
2. Power-Point Presentations, discussion/ review sessions;
3. Exercises and hands-on activities that require in class assignments/lab work,
homework;
4. In studio, students work individually and in groups on their assignments as instructed,
which is reviewed by the instructor to ensure that students will develop the project
showing evidence of the required SPCs.

Assessment Methods and Grading Policy

Studio Grading:
Assignment Grade Week Descritption of Submission Evidenced Submission
Deadline Date SPCs Type
Submission -1 15 4 Analysis and application of D1, D4, Individual
19th Feb 2023 AIA Canons, RIBA Code D5 in BB (A3
and NCARB Rules on 3 portfolio)
5
ethical cases from my
15 26th Feb, 2023
(Exam)
practice
In-class exam (contents tbd)
Submission - 2 15 9 Organizational design, D1, D2, Blackboard
(review) April 2, 20239 development, and D3 online (A3
marketing, business plan portfolio
15 11 appended
and process planning of an
(jury) April 18, 2023 to Sub- 1)
architectural design firm Group work

Submission - 3 10 12 Complete Project management D2, D4, Blackboard

[Digital Copy_A3 (review) May 2, 2023 and preparation of all PM D5 online (A3
Landscape], 1, A0 documents for a simple portfolio
portrait poster 15 15 commercial porjct of an earlier appended
(jury) May 23, 2023 design studio project to Sub- 1,
2)
Group
work/
individual
submission
QU exit exam 10 15 All B.Arch. Courses taken so far. Online –
May 21, 2023 On campus

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Participation 5 Throughout Active participation in all

29th Jan – 25th activities, collaboration and
May 2023 collegiality
TOTAL 100

NOTES:
§ At the end of the semester, an A3 Portfolio [PDF Format Files] only must be uploaded to BlackBoard
by the deadline by all students individually which combines all the three submissions
§ All students must submit A3 Bound-Portfolio to the instructor/TAs by the deadline.
§ Only PDF Format Files submitted online/on BB by the deadline will be graded. Other formats [i.e. Jpeg,
Power Point, Office, etc. will NOT be graded].
§ Files must be submitted only in the link specified for the respective submission. Files submitted elsewhere or
sent through emails/file transfer/ USB stick (before or after the deadline will not be evaluated) and will receive
a zero grade.
§ The overall submissions include 2 progress reviews/exam + 3 project/submissions/exam.
§ Participating/submitting the progress review is mandatory. There will not be any make-up reviews/
juries/exams. Students missing the review/jury would forego 10% grade.

Computer/Software Usage

CAD Software [as per students’ choice]

Laboratory Projects

N/A

Course Ground Rules

Attendance Policy:
• Being on time to class/studio is mandatory. Attendance will be rigorously marked.
Students will be monitored regularly throughout the class and studio hours. Students who
are not present in class when attendance is marked will be considered absent. Students
who leave after giving attendance will also be marked absent.
Qatar University Attendance Policy from the Student Handbook mentions “A student should
not miss more than 25% of the classes during a semester. Those exceeding this limit will
receive a failing grade, regardless of their performance. In exceptional cases, students with
their instructor’s prior permission can be exempted from attending a class, provided that the
number of such occasions does not exceed the limit allowed by the University. The instructor
will determine the validity of an excuse for being absent. A student who misses more than
25% of classes and has a valid excuse for being absent will be allowed to withdraw from the
course. This student will be exempted from fines associated with withdrawal.” For further
details on QU attendance policy, please refer to to the undergraduate catalogue 2022- 23
(https://bit.ly/3XNr86v) for all the ground rules.
• Students whose attendance is less than 75% will not be allowed to sit for final exam/jury
and will be reported to the administration.
• Students who are absent due to a medical condition should upload evidence of the same
by next class in the link provided in BB. Late information and certificates without authentic
QR codes will not be accepted.
• Any absence without a valid (medical/similar emergency) excuse shall not be accepted
even if the percentage of such absence is within 25%, and such absenting student
receives a fail grade as per the QU policy.
• Students who are absent due to medical reasons for an studio review should inform
immediately and present an attested medical certificate from a recognized Medical
Center.

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Punctuality:
We start on time.
Participation:
Effective participation is expected in all lecture/activity/discussion sessions. All students are
expected to complete the tasks as instructed within the specified time. Students without any
progress work participation/ specified material for progress review for any reason will be marked
absent and will be sent out.
Courtesy:
Please switch off mobile phones during class/lecture time. Do not surf the net or attend to calls
or SMS or play on mobile phones during the class. These actions will affect your classroom
conduct and participation grades negatively. Doing work from other courses in this studio is not
allowed. Such students woule be marked absent and sent out.
Assignments policy and Submission format:
• Deadlines dates will be strictly followed throughout the course [as per syllabus’ dates].
• Submissions should include the original writing/ 2D-3D drawings/ spcicifcations/
schedules as specified in the project brief.
• At each stage, the work will be graded depending on the extent of evidence of the SPC.
• All submissions are to be submitted through Blackboard only.
• Physical portfolio (A3 landscape) has to be submitted to the instructor/TA.
• Students should strictly follow the requirements of submissions mentioned. For each
submission students should submit a PDF file [PDF Format] on Blackboard only at the
suggested link. Submissions made elsewhere in BB/file transfer/ USB stick would be
summarily rejected and would be graded zero.
• All assignments should be turned in by the due date. There will be a penalty of 10% for
each late day as per records maintained on BB. Submissions made 3 days after the
deadline will not be counted.
• Grades obtained in reviews/submissions will be uploaded on BB. Students are expected
to note their grades and meet the instructor within a week of the publishing the results for
reviewing their submissions. Students will not be entertained after this period.
Cheating & Plagiarism:
• University rules will be enforced in case of cheating or plagiarism. Discussing
assignments with other students is okay but copying is not.
• Plagiarism, collusion and fabrication of data, copying in exams/ details are strictly
forbidden and any misconduct will lead its author receiving a zero grade that affects her
course performance negatively.
• All project work should be original contribution of the student and copy pasting changing
a few lines/details here and there from published sources/ Architect’s websites and
submitting as original work is strictly prohibited. Refer to the details given in class on
plagiarism.
Communication Blackboard & E-mail policy:
• The virtual learning platform, Blackboard (BB), will be used for all student coomuncation
outside the class.
• Many announcements and notifications are communicated automatically by BB through
email. Students are expected to regularly check their Email account.
• Students should use Blackboard for all email communication with the faculty. Personal
mails sent without personal and course identifiers in the subject line shall not be
answered and will be trashed automatically.
• Students are responsible for all assignments/submissions to be submitted on time.
• To arrange for appointments with the instructor/TA email is the most convenient.

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University Code of Conduct

QU expects its students to adopt and abide by the highest standards of conduct in their
interaction with professors, peers, staff members and the wider university community. Moreover,
QU expects its students to act maturely and responsibly in their relationships with others. Every
student is expected to assume the obligations and responsibilities required from them for being
members of the QU community.

As such, a student is expected not to engage in behaviors that compromise their integrity, as
well as the integrity of QU. Further information regarding the University Code of Conduct may be
found on the web at http://www.qu.edu.qa/students/code-of-conduct

Support for Students with Special Needs

It is Qatar University policy to provide educational opportunities that ensure fair, appropriate and
reasonable accommodation to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to
participate in course activities or meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are
encouraged to contact their Instructor to ensure that their individual needs are met. The
University through its Special Needs Section will exert all efforts to accommodate for individuals’
needs.

Contact Information for Special Needs Section:

Tel-Female: (00974) 4403 3843
Tel-Male: (00974) 4403 3854
Location: Student Activities Building
Email: specialneeds@qu.edu.qa

Academic Support and Learning Resources

The University Student Learning Support Center (SLSC) provides academic support
services to male and female students at QU. The SLSC is a supportive environment where
students can seek assistance with academic coursework, writing assignments, transitioning
to college academic life, and other academic issues. SLSC programs include: Peer
Tutoring, the Writing Lab, Writing Workshops, and Academic Success Workshops. Students
may also seek confidential academic counseling from the professional staff at the Center.

Contact Information for Students Support and Learning Resources:

Tel: (00974) 4403 3876
Fax: (00974) 4403 3871
Location: Female Student Activities Building
E-mail: learningcenter@qu.edu.qa

Student Complaints Policy

Students at Qatar University have the right to pursue complaints related to faculty, staff, and
other students. The nature of the complaints may be either academic or non-academic. For
more information about the policy and processes related to this policy, you may refer to the
student handbook.

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Declaration

This syllabus and contents are subject to changes in the event of extenuating circumstances.
The instructor (with approval of the Head of Department) reserves the right to make changes as
necessary. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the students will be
notified by email communication and posting the notification on the online teaching tool
Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to check on announcements made while they were
absent.

Faculty Name : Madhavi Indraganti

Last Modified : January 23, 2023
Date : January 23, 2023

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