Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning

  • Gain qualifications in an industry with a nation-wide shortage of qualified professionals
  • Field trips and studio workshops provide practical perspectives and experience
  • Graduates work in planning teams in public and private sectors

Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning
Award abbreviation: BRegUrbPlan
QTAC code: 011091
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-16 / Rank-66
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: AR382
CRICOS code: 066284D. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

The Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning responds to an increasing demand for professionals who can manage urban growth effectively by planning for sustainable development, infrastructure and services.

This program leads to a career in planning and urban management. You take courses in ecologically sustainable development, planning theory and ethics, urban design, and dispute resolution. You examine issues relating to property and environmental management and infrastructure development with an emphasis on planning at a regional government level. You complete practical projects each year and a final year work practicum. You may complement your studies with a minor in property, environmental studies, Indigenous studies, sustainability, sociology, communication studies or justice studies.

Career opportunities

Depending on the minor chosen, regional planning and policy development, community development / education, development assessment, land / infrastructure development, environmental impact assessment, planning consultant.

Professional recognition

Graduates may register with the Planning Institute of Australia after two years of professional practice.

Enquiries
  • Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
  • Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice

Program Leader
Associate Professor Johanna Rosier
Tel: +61 7 5459 4877
Email: jrosier@usc.edu.au

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Complete 2 core courses.
  • Complete 5 required introductory (100 level) courses.
  • Complete 16 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
  • Complete 4 courses towards a minor plus 2 elective courses, or complete 3 courses to complete a Geography major plus 3 elective courses.
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including core courses.
  • Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Communication, School of Social Sciences or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
  • (Optional) Use electives to complete a minor to supplement the required major.
  • Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, studios reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.

Program structure

Core courses (2)

2 required courses: 
COR109 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
COR111 Biogeography

Introductory courses (5)

5 required courses: 
ENP101 Coastal Geomorphology
GEO100 Historical Geographies
INT140 Animal Geographies
PED120 Professional Planning Practice
SCS130 Community Planning Studio

Advanced courses (16)

16 required courses:
ENP211 Planning Practicum
ENP236 Planning Project
ENP245 Planning Project
ENP255 Communication and Thought
ENP311 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
ENP336 Planning Principles and Practice
ENP355 Physical Geography and Mapping
ENP365 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
ENP411 Property Economics
ENP455 Introduction to Indigenous Australia(24 units)
ENP460 Planning and Environmental Law(24 units)
ENP470A Rural and Regional Sustainability
ENP470B Landscapes, place and people(24 units)
ENS253 Urbanism and Urban Design
ENS300 Planning Theory
HIS265 Regional Infrastructure Planning
SCS225 Planning Design Studio

Minor courses

Select 4 courses towards you Minor study area:


PLUS select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

OR

Select 3 courses towards a Geography major study area:

2 required courses:
GEO101 Participation and Conflict Resolution
GEO201 Professional Planning Practice
PLUS select 1 course from the following:
GEO210 Community Planning Studio
GEO301 Planning Practicum
GEO302 Planning Project
GEO340 Planning Project
GEO350 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology

PLUS select 3 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

TOTAL UNITS 384

Merit Honours

Merit Honours is to be calculated by averaging an individual student’s grades in ENP211 , ENP236 , ENP245 , ENP255 , ENP311 , ENP336 , ENP355 , ENP365 , ENP411 , ENP455 , ENP460 , ENP470A , ENP470B , ENS253 , ENS300 , HIS265 and SCS225 .

Where the student has achieved a credit or higher from this calculation, the following classes of honours may be awarded:

Class of Honours Required Grade Point Average #
Corresponding Grade
Class 1 6.5–7.0 High Distinction 85% and above
Class 2 (Division 1) 6.0–<> Distinction 75% - 84.99%
Class 2 (Division 2) 5.0–<> Credit 65% - 74.99%

The Grade Point Average (GPA) will be calculated in a manner consistent with the University Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy (Section 5.4).

Students who achieve below the level of Class 2 (Division 2) are awarded Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning.

# Students who have received credit for courses completed in other institutions are eligible to be considered for merit honours where they have completed a minimum of 114 units from the following courses: ENP211 , ENP236 , ENP245 , ENP255 , ENP311 , ENP336 , ENP355 , ENP365 , ENP411 , ENP455 , ENP460 , ENP470A , ENP470B , ENS253 , ENS300 , HIS265 and SCS225 .

They will be subject to the same GPA requirements for eligibility in the award of merit honours calculated on all the required advanced Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning units they have completed at USC.

Study Plan

The Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.

Year 1
Core courses (2)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
COR109 Introduction to Behavioural Health
COR111 Public Health Foundations
Required courses (5)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
GEO100 Quantitative Research Methods
ENP101 Health Research Project B
INT140 Health Research Project A
PED120 Health Promotion Project
SCS130 Mental Health and Neuroscience: Translational Research
Elective courses (1)

Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Year 2
  • Six (6) required advanced level courses
  • Two (2) courses towards your chosen minor study area; or
  • Two (2) courses towards a Geography major study area.
Required courses (6)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
ENP211 Youth Mental Health and Neurobiology
ENP236 Neuroimaging Advances in Mental Health
ENP245 Understanding and Preventing Suicide
ENP255 Communication and Thought
ENS253 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
HIS265 Physical Geography and Mapping
Minor courses (2)

Select 2 courses from your chosen minor study area:

OR

Major courses (2)

Complete the following 2 courses towards a Geography major study area:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
GEO101 Planning Principles and Practice
GEO201 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
Year 3
Required courses (6)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
ENP311 Property Economics
ENP355 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
ENP336 Planning and Environmental Law
ENP365 Rural and Regional Sustainability
ENS300 Landscapes, place and people
SCS225 Urbanism and Urban Design
Minor courses (2)

Select 2 courses from your chosen minor study area

OR

Major course (1)

Select 1 course from the following list of advanced GEO code courses to constitute a major study area in Geography

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
GEO210 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
GEO301 Cultural Heritage
GEO302 Introducing Human Geographies
GEO340 Hydrology and Geomorphology
GEO350 Planning Theory

PLUS select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Year 4
Required courses (4)
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
ENP411 Planning Design Studio
ENP455 Regional Infrastructure Planning
ENP460 Participation and Conflict Resolution
ENP470A Environmental and Resource Economics
ENP470B Social Research
Elective courses (1)

Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

TOTAL UNITS 384

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