Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning - Griffith University

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Program overview

Why choose this program?

You will develop the skills and knowledge you will need for a career as a professional regional, urban or environmental planner. Accredited with the Planning Institute of Australia, the program's key strength is that it produces planners who also have specialised skills in environmental science. Taught via the use of innovative studios, project-based teaching methods and off-campus work experience, the degree responds to the current shortage of town planners across Australia, and is highly regarded by industry. It gives you a foundation in planning related issues such as land use and regional growth management, and core environmental issues such as land and water management, ecology and conservation biology, and pollution studies, while enabling you to build the skills to become an innovative and pro-active environmental professional. The program covers areas such as:

• conservation planning
• environmental communication
• environmental impact assessments
• environmental quality and pollution management
• land planning for Indigenous people
• land use and resource development planning
• natural area planning (catchments)
• open space planning
• preparation of environmental management plans
• regional and strategic planning
• rural planning
• tourism and recreational planning
• urban environmental planning.

You will undertake a core set of planning and environmental courses in first year that introduce foundation concepts and theories relevant to the environmental sciences.

In second and third year you have the opportunity to explore the following specialisation fields:

• Ecology
• Planning
• Tourism and Ecotourism

In fourth year you will undertake an off-campus placement, working with a professional planning practitioner and you have the option of doing an honours research project if eligible.

This program has an Honours Stream for eligible students. Please contact the Program Convenor for further information.

Traffic problems present a major issue for planners in Australia's cities.

Attendance

The Bachelor of Environmental Planning is offered full-time on-campus at the Gold Coast campus.

You may choose to study courses at other campuses if or where the program structure allows subject to timetabling constraints and prerequisite requirements. Students choosing this option are advised that the Gold Coast program is being phased in one year at a time from its year of commencement in 2006. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are able to enrol in the courses required to maintain a standard rate of progress. There must be no content overlap with other courses in your program.

As a full-time student you will generally attend 15-18 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the semester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week.

Students may take a reduced study load. You will be classed as a part-time student if you enrol in less than 30 credit points per semester. International students must maintain a full-time study load.

The Bachelor of Environmental Planning includes some optional courses which may be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 9am and 5pm, and it is expected that if you enrol in these courses you will be available to attend.

In the Bachelor of Environmental Planning you are required to undertake unpaid work experience which requires part-time attendance at a planning office.

In Year 3/Semester 2, you are required to participate in a field trip lasting approximately four days at a Western Queensland destination. If you enrol in this program, you will be expected to finance your accommodation and meals.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Career opportunities