Undergraduate Degree

The undergraduate program in urban and regional planning provides students with a basic understanding of environment-, economy- and society-related planning issues using scientific, social scientific or humanistic approaches. Students will learn the history of urbanism, the theory and principles of urban design, and the relevant legal and administrative policies & procedures. Students study the techniques of survey and research used in the analysis of the structure and growth of urban areas. They are involved in written and graphic communication. They recognize the contributions made by other disciplines concerned with the study of urban development, including politics, law, economics, social aspects, pollution control, natural resources and the interactions of human beings and nature. By developing systematic programs for the orderly and unified arrangement of urban physical structures, students focus their accumulated knowledge and skills on specific urban problems. The undergraduate program, which has been accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, is designed to prepare majors to assume the responsibilities encountered in entry level professional planning practice.

Admission
 
Admission is competitive, and enrollment is limited for each entering class. The department accepts and reviews applications during the Spring semester of each year for admission into the UP core courses the following Fall.

All students interested in applying for admission as juniors to the bachelor’s degree program in Urban and Regional Planning must:

1. complete UP 201 with a minimum grade of 2.0;
2. submit an application package that will include:
   1. a resume;
   2. an application form indicating intent to apply to the upper division of the urban and regional planning program for the upcoming academic year; and
   3. an academic/career goals statement, which can be submitted in essay or video format.

Program faculty and academic staff determine admissions based on the applicants’ qualifications and the program’s enrollment capacity. Review committees will consider factors such as applicants’:

1. previous work, service, and research experiences;
2. overall grade-point average and performance in UP 201;
3. motivation and goals relative to the major and potential career; and
4. factors such as ability to overcome adversity, perseverance, teamwork, and work ethic.

Admission decisions are made each year at the end of the Spring semester.

For additional information about admission criteria and procedures, students should contact the Urban and Regional Planning program in the School of Planning, Design and Construction.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban and Regional Planning

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Urban and Regional Planning major is met by completing Urban Planning 365.  That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
   
   The Experiential Learning requirement for the College of Social Science is met by completion of UP 494 referenced in item 3. a. below.
   
   The STEM requirement for the College of Social Science is met by completion of 12 credits from 3. c. below.
2. The College of Social Science requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course (32 credits):
   	UP	201	Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning						4
   	UP	314	Methods for Investigation of Urban Systems						4
   	UP	353	Land Use Planning						4
   	UP	365	Planning Law and Ethics (W)						4
   	UP	424	Geographic Information Systems and Design Tools for Planning						3
   	UP	433	Introduction to Environmental Planning						4
   	UP	454	Local Economic Planning						3
   	UP	494	Planning Practicum						6
   b.	Complete 6 credits of 400-level Urban and Regional Planning elective course work. Courses from 3. a. cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
   c.	Complete 12 credits in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses from the following list of courses. Fulfillment of this requirement also meets the College of Social Science STEM Graduation Requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   	ANP	203	Introduction to Archeology						3
   	ANP	206	Introduction to Physical Anthropology						3
   	CSS	101	Introduction to Crop Science						3
   	CSS	101L	Introduction to Crop Science Laboratory						1
   	CSS	210	Fundamentals of Soil Science						3
   	CSUS	200	Introduction to Sustainability						3
   	ENT	205	Pests, Society and Environment						3
   	EPI	390	Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health						4
   	FW	110	Conservation and Management of Marine Resources						3
   	GEO	203	Introduction to Meteorology						3
   	GEO	206	Physical Geography						3
   	GLG	201	The Dynamic Earth						4
   	PDC	403	Introduction to Domicology: Sustainable Built Environment						3