Course summary
The Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning (Honours) equips students with the legal, environmental, social, design and engineering skills required to work as planners throughout Australia. Graduates will be skilled to perform the duties of a planner in a professional and ethical manner, to design, allocate and manage land use in urban and rural environments, as well as implement suitable governance, interpret planning law and implement and administer plans.
The course incorporates cross disciplinary studies to equip graduates with an understanding of the social, environmental, economic and legal background required to practice as a statutory planner and gain admission into the Planning Institute of Australia. The course provides integrated learning experiences in other disciplines including environmental science and management, law, engineering and social science, to prepare graduates for employment in a wide range of urban and regional planning positions in both private firms and government organisations.
In the final year, students undertake a planning research project (thesis), which enables them to explore critical planning issues and gives them the opportunity to contribute to new knowledge in their chosen topic. The practical application of planning skills suitable for the workforce will also come together in the final year of study through the capstone project.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate skills of critical analysis and application of regional and urban planning principles. Make decisions and exercise informed judgements in relation to land use planning. |
| Creativity | Respond creatively to intellectual, professional, economic, environmental and social challenges. Demonstrate imagination, initiative and enterprise in problem-solving. |
| Ethical practice | Evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability. Demonstrate well developed judgement and action on principles of public interest and professional standards. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in strategic and statutory planning. Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of regional and urban planning. Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community settings. |
| Lifelong learning | Critically reflect on outcomes and practice. Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self managed learning. |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate clearly and coherently knowledge and ideas in land use planning. Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholder groups including government, community and professional individuals and multidisciplinary teams. |
| Cultural competence | Demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity. Facilitate shared understanding between diverse groups in relation to land use planning. |
At the end of the third year of study students undertake an 8 week (40 day equivalent) internship (work placement) in the planning field. The internship seeks to introduce students to the requirements of the working environment and to refine and practise workplace skills in a structured setting with the support of the University. Students gain exposure to the practical application of their knowledge and skills in readiness to enter the workforce.
The internship also provides students a structured framework to develop their generic workplace skills such as preparing a CV, addressing selection criteria and resolving conflict.
Southern Cross University is undertaking staged accreditation for the degree from the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and has received interim accreditation until December 2019. Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of PIA. Accreditation also enables the degree to be recognised worldwide.
Course overview
Course code
3507300
Course abbreviation
BRegUrbPlan(Hons)
Credit points
384
Equivalent units
32
Domestic duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
International duration
4 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
| Location | Session | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Domestic fees
International
| Location | Session | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore | 1 | $23,520 ($2,940 per unit) | 085907J |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning (Honours), a candidate shall successfully complete thirty-two (32) units (384 credit points) comprising:
- All units listed in Part A of the Schedule of units attached to these Rules; and
- Four (4) units from Part B of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
Class of Honours
A candidate may on the recommendation of the School Board be awarded Honours in one of the following grades:
- First Class Honours (GPA of 5 overall and GPA of 7 for the following project units - Planning Thesis I, Planning Thesis II and Capstone Project; GPA of 6 for the following capstone units - Development Assessment Studio and Strategic Planning Studio).
- Second Class Honours – Division I (GPA of 5 overall and GPA of 6 for the following project units - Planning Thesis I, Planning Thesis II and Capstone Project; GPA of 5.5 for the following capstone units - Development Assessment Studio and Strategic Planning Studio).
- Second Class Honours – Division II (GPA of 5 overall and GPA of 5 for the following project units - Planning Thesis I, Planning Thesis II and Capstone Project; GPA of 5 for the following capstone units - Development Assessment Studio and Strategic Planning Studio).
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| ENV00207 - Environmental Planning | Intermediate Note 2 | Note 2 | |
| LAW00051 - Legal Research and Writing | Introductory | ||
| SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology | Introductory | ||
| BIO10187 - Global Environmental Issues | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| PLN10001 - Rural and Regional Planning | Introductory | ||
| PLN10002 - Sustainability and Professional Ethics for Planners | Introductory | ||
| ENG10758 - Humanitarian Engineering Project | Introductory | ||
| POL00010 - Local Government | Intermediate | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| PLN20001 - Land and Development Economics | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10157 - Australian Legal System | Introductory | ||
| SUR00201 - Environmental Mapping | Introductory | ||
| 1 unit from: Part B (electives) | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| PLN20002 - Settlements and Urban Design | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00119 - Local Government and Planning Law | Intermediate | ||
| GLY00223 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | Intermediate | ||
| 1 unit from: Part B (electives) | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| PLN20003 - Development Assessment Studio | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00118 - Environmental Law | Intermediate | ||
| SOY00159 - Project Management | Advanced | ||
| 1 unit from: Part B (electives) | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| BIO00244 - Protected Area Management | Advanced | ||
| ENG30011 - Regional and Urban Transport Planning | Introductory | ||
| ENV00224 - Internship Study | Advanced Note 1 | Note 1 | |
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| PLN20004 - Strategic Planning Studio | Intermediate | ||
| PLN83001 - Planning Thesis I | Advanced | ||
| PLN20005 - Community Engagement | Intermediate | ||
| 1 unit from: Part B (electives) | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| PLN83002 - Planning Thesis II | Advanced | ||
| PLN83003 - Capstone Project | Advanced Note 1 | Note 1 | |
| ENV10656 - Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management | Advanced | ||
Notes
| Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |
| Note 2: | External unit has a compulsory residential workshop |
Unit groups
Part B (electives)
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAW00052 - Introduction to Land Law | Introductory | ||
| ECO00202 - Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development | Intermediate | ||
| GLY00201 - Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere | Introductory | ||
| ENS00203 - Earth Systems II: The Hydrosphere | Introductory | ||
| AGR00215 - Water and Catchment Management | Advanced | ||
| ENV10655 - Coastlines - Diversity, Dynamics and Risks | Intermediate | ||
| BIO01230 - Principles of Coastal Resource Management | Advanced | ||
| FOR00100 - Fire Ecology and Management | Intermediate | ||
| ISY01224 - Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis | Intermediate | ||
| ENG30010 - Traffic and Road Safety Engineering | Introductory | ||
| HUM00272 - Space, Place and Travel | Intermediate | ||
| SOC00107 - Planning and Delivering Human Services | Intermediate | ||
| CUL00211 - Perspectives on Australia | Introductory | ||
| POL30001 - Environmental Politics | Advanced | ||
| SOY00419 - Caring for Kuntri: Indigenous Environmental Management | Advanced | ||
| CUL00401 - Indigenous World-Views | Introductory | ||
| POL00010 - Local Government | Intermediate | ||
| POL10244 - Australian Politics | Introductory |