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Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning (Honours)

Bachelors Honours Degree (C/w)

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BRegUrbPlan(Hons)

  • Course code

    3507300

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Regional and Urban Planning (Honours) provides graduates with the environmental, engineering, legal, economic, social and urban design skills required to work as planners throughout Australia and internationally.

Students develop the capacity to produce and critique environmental, economic, social, transport and urban design plans, utilise relevant acts and case law, implement planning regulations and policies, analyse data, assess social and environmental impacts, identify and resolve planning problems, communicate in written, oral and graphical form and resolve planning conflicts.

Graduate planners will have the knowledge and skills to design, allocate and manage land use, implement suitable governance, interpret planning law, implement and administer plans and proceed in a professional and ethical manner.

The distinctive features of this course include engineering and law units and a focus on sustainable regional and rural communities.

Graduate AttributeCourse 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 eight-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.

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 professional planner. It provides integrated learning experiences in other disciplines including environmental science and management, engineering, law and social science, to prepare graduates for employment in a wide range of urban and regional planning positions.

In the final year, students undertake a planning research thesis, or an impact assessment project. The thesis enables students to explore critical planning issues and gives them the opportunity to contribute to new knowledge in their chosen topic. The project enables students to hone their social and environment impact knowledge and skills. The practical application of planning skills suitable for the workforce will also come together in the final year of study through the capstone project.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 334110 054801

Career Outcomes

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.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

  1. 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:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. four (4) units from Part B

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)

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

  1. 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:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. four (4) units from Part B

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)

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
ENV00207 -  Environmental Planning Intermediate 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
SOC10296 -  Understanding Community Introductory
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
ECO00202 -  Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development Intermediate
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
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
ENV10656 -  Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Note 2:

External unit has a compulsory residential workshop

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Part A
PLN10001 Rural and Regional Planning Introductory
PLN10002 Sustainability and Professional Ethics for Planners Introductory
ENG10758 Humanitarian Engineering Project Introductory
PLN20001 Land and Development Economics Intermediate
LAW10157 Australian Legal System Introductory
SUR00201 Environmental Mapping Introductory
PLN20002 Settlements and Urban Design Intermediate
LAW00119 Local Government and Planning Law Intermediate
GLY00223 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Intermediate
PLN20003 Development Assessment Studio
LAW00118 Environmental Law Intermediate
ECO00202 Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development Intermediate
BIO00244 Protected Area Management Advanced
ENG30011 Regional and Urban Transport Planning Introductory
ENV00224 Internship Study Advanced Note 1
PLN20004 Strategic Planning Studio
ENV10656 Extension and Professional Practice in Natural Resource Management Advanced
PLN83001 Planning Thesis I
PLN20005 Community Engagement
PLN83002 Planning Thesis II
PLN83003 Capstone Project Note 1
ENV00207 Environmental Planning Intermediate
LAW00051 Legal Research and Writing Introductory
BIO10187 Global Environmental Issues Introductory
SOC00118 Introduction to Sociology Introductory
SOC10296 Understanding Community Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
LAW00052 Introduction to Land Law Introductory
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
ENS00218 Waste Technology Intermediate
POL10244 Australian Politics Introductory
SOC20002 Economy, Ecology, and Social Life: Local and Global Perspectives Intermediate