The doctoral degree programs offered at the School of Architecture are: Architecture, Architectural History and Theory, and Architectural Technology and Science. They require students to comprehensively acquire and employ knowledge from the following disciplines: architectural theory and architectural history, building technology science, systems science, and engineering methods. By combining the aforementioned knowledge with digital analysis and design techniques, they must study scientific issues in urbanism and architecture, and thereby contribute to the improvement of existing methods in architectural design and engineering. 

Objectives

The doctoral programs aim to produce high-level, talented, and innovative individuals engaged in teaching, research, creative endeavors, and management who can respond to the requirements of national development strategies and major societal needs, while ultimately generating cutting-edge developments within the discipline. They are expected to acquire a global perspective of their chosen research field as well as a drive for international competitiveness, while remaining fully attuned to current domestic needs and issues. In addition, by the end of the program they are to attain a solid, broad understanding of architectural theory and design methods, in-depth professional knowledge, and independent and innovative research capabilities.

General Outline of Doctoral Programs & Objectives

Admissions

The admission of doctoral students takes place through four channels: (1) enrollment decided by a special tutor group; (2) by being admitted to the Ph.D. program directly after finishing the B.Eng. program; (3) by moving in succession from postgraduate to doctoral programs; (4) and through the application-audit system.

Training Program

The doctoral program requires a basic residency of four years: the same length of time applies to students who enrolled in the successive postgraduate and doctoral programs. As for the basic residency period of the Ph.D. program for those who enter directly after finishing the B.Eng., it is five years.

General Outline of Ph.D Programs

Teaching Philosophy and Methods

The mentoring of doctors should respond to national development strategies, focus on cutting-edge developments in the discipline of Architecture, and integrate the three core research directions of the School: (1) Architectural Design & Theory; (2) Sustainable Built Environment; (3) and Conservation & Revitalization of China’s Architectural Heritage. Our aim is to produce high-level, talented, and innovative researchers that are familiar with theoretical and interdisciplinary knowledge in architecture and its related fields. This objective requires the adoption of the tutor system. In this system, the tutor and the doctoral student form a research group centered on scientific research topics, from which the student may benefit from the tutor’s continuous mentoring. Regular seminars provide ways to improve the students’ ability to engage in independent learning and pursue their research-oriented studies. The results of their annual work then need to be further assessed through professor seminars to ensure a steady progress in terms of research phases and objectives.

We encourage doctoral students to participate in various forms of academic initiatives and exchanges, including: publishing international journal articles; participating in overseas joint training; attending domestic and foreign academic conferences as well as academic lectures inside and outside the School; and participating on a number of learning activities that take place during the summer period. 

A number of funding opportunities at the School and University levels are provided to support students’ overseas exchange and learning initiatives, thereby complementing the funding afforded by the China Scholarship Council.

At the same time, doctoral students are required to participate in research grant projects during their residency, which helps them to focus on the main issues of the discipline, contribute to the improvement of their chosen academic research field, and learn how to elaborate a systematic framework for academic research by writing a research plan.