Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning

Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning
Award abbreviation: BRegUrbPlan
QTAC code: 011091
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-15 / Rank-69
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 2012: 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, sustainability, sociology, Indigenous studies, 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, 21 required courses, plus either 4 courses towards a minor study area and 2 electives or 3 courses towards a Geography major and 3 electives
• Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses including core courses.
• Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
• Complete Core courses in your first year of study.

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 required courses: 
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Introductory courses 

5 required courses: 
ENP101 Planning Principles and Practice
GEO100 Physical Geography and Mapping
INT140 An Introduction to Australian Politics: The Makings of a Republic?
PED120 Property Economics
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia

Advanced courses

16 required courses:
ENP211 Planning and Environmental Law
ENP236 Rural and Regional Sustainability
ENP245 Landscapes, place and people
ENP255 Urbanism and Urban Design
ENP311 Planning Theory
ENP355 Planning Design Studio
ENP336 Regional Infrastructure Planning
ENP365 Participation and Conflict Resolution
ENP411 Professional Planning Practice
ENP455 Community Planning Studio
ENP460 Planning Practicum
ENP470A Planning Project
ENP470B Planning Project
ENS253 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENS300 Environmental and Resource Economics
HIS265 Cultural Heritage
SCS225 Social Research

Minor courses

Select 4 courses towards you Minor study area:

• Communication Studies
• Environmental Studies
• Indigenous Studies
• Justice Studies
• Property
• Sociology
• Sustainability

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 Introducing Human Geographies
GEO201 Hydrology and Geomorphology
PLUS select 1 course from the following:
GEO210 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
GEO301 Biogeography
GEO302 Coastal Geomorphology
GEO340 Historical Geographies
GEO350 Animal Geographies

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:

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

• Two (2) core courses:
  One core course should be studied in your first semester and one in your second semester
• Five (5) required introductory level courses
• One (1) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Core courses (2)

Required courses (5)

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)

Minor courses (2)

Select 2 courses from your chosen minor study area:

• Communication Studies
• Environmental Studies
• Indigenous Studies
• Justice Studies
• Property
• Sociology
• Sustainability

OR

Major courses (2)

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

Year 3

• Six (6) required advanced level courses
  ENP255 should be studied before commencing ENP355
• Two (2) courses towards your chosen minor study area; or
• One (1) course towards a Geography major study area, plus one (1) elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Required courses (6)

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

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

Year 4

• Four (4) required advanced level courses
• One (1) elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Required courses (4)

Elective courses (1)

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

TOTAL UNITS 384

Why choose USC? 

It’s the best of both worlds. Students choose USC for its industry focused degrees, experienced academics, student support, overseas study opportunities and relaxed campus atmosphere.

Am I eligible for university study?

Find out what qualifications you need to apply for entry into your proposed study program. If you don’t have the required qualifications, there may be alternative pathways you can take to gain entry to USC.

If you have previously undertaken university or TAFE studies, you may be eligible for credit transfer. 

If English is not your first language, you need to meet the minimum English language requirements for your chosen program. This requirement applies to all students intending to study at the University.

How do I submit an application?

• Current Year 12 students—regardless of whether you are OP-eligible or not—apply for university using the Twelve to Tertiary (TTT) application service on the QTAC website
• Non-school leavers use the Apply by Web (ABW) online application service on the QTAC website
• Postgraduate applicants apply directly to USC
• International students apply directly to USC International
• All other applicants

When should I apply?

Check if the program is offered in Semester 1 and / or Semester 2, then follow the deadlines on the application calendar. The academic calendar provides all the key dates you need to know as a student at USC.

What happens next?

Accept your offer with QTAC (if applicable) and USC, enrol in your classes and attend Orientation.

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to apply:

• Online: find answers to commonly asked questions in the Student FAQs
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business

As a USC student, you will need to refer to your study plan to enrol in the appropriate courses each semester or session.

Find out more about how to enrol or follow these steps:

1. Check the open enrolment dates and the academic calendar for key dates
2. Refer to your Study Plan to plan your courses for the study period
3. Find your courses and decide on your classes in the class timetable
4. Log on to USC Central and enrol in courses and classes
5. Register your major or minor with your faculty (if applicable)
6. Apply for credit transfer or cross-institutional study (if applicable)
7. Pay required study fees by the fee due date

Useful links

• Getting Started Guide
• USC Central Guide
• Common enrolment problems
• Class timetables
• Academic Calendar
• Faculty major and minor offerings
• Student-related policies, plans and procedures
• Contact Student Administration

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to enrol:

• Online: Refer to the USC Central Guide
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business