Course Syllabus

IAGR 504 is aiming at developing the ability of graduate students to evaluate alternative design solutions, a vital issue for interior architects during their research studies and their professional life. The course is naturally covering the field of project evaluation. But, a particular stress will be given to traditional and modern methods of decision making, and to the use of these approaches in practical problems.

Method

Lectures on theoretical topics will be reinforced with assignments and practical work to be accomplished by the student. Assignments will be based on a common problem to be carried out by groups. The final term-paper to be prepared will cover the studies achieved during the semester and will be in appropriate report format. The experience obtained from the course is expected to answer the decision-making problems that could be confronted in the master thesis.

Reading for IAGR 504 is from the following publications:

• Elker, C., Notes for the course “Decision Process in Design”, Çankaya University, Ankara, 2009

which partly includes sections from:

• Keeney, R.L., Howard, R., Decisions with Multiple Objectives –Preferences and Value Tradeoffs, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1993
• Janssen, R., Multiobjective Decision Support for Environmental Management, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1992

Students should read the material prior to the date scheduled. There will be a short quiz and discussions associated with the subject at the dates shown on the following table.

Grading

The weights at the final grading will be as follows:

·         four assignments (10% each)            40%

·         six quizzes (5% each)                       30%

·         final term paper                               20%

·         participation                         10%

Program for IAGR 504