Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning

This qualification includes the various specialisations. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose

The Master of Science Town and Regional Planning is a research qualification, allowing the qualifying learner to clarify and extend the body of knowledge of planning through focused research on an aspect of this field. The purpose of the qualification is to produce qualified learners who can contribute to the economy of South Africa by their considerable specialised expertise, research and leadership skills. The learner will contribute to the development of a sustainable built environment in response to the needs and values of the community, within an understanding of international frameworks.

Rationale

The qualification does not only lead to additional professional recognition but benefits society by enhancing the knowledge of the discipline of town and regional planning. It provides value to the learner by enhancing career opportunities in an academic environment, leading to the possibility of studying further at a Doctoral level. Other career opportunities are opened up through increased status as an authority or consultant within the built environment professions and recognition of the qualification on the broader community.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learners who fall outside of the regular admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification or experiential- or work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Learners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but need further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary qualifications before admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

The qualification assumes that learners can communicate through written and oral media at an advanced level, using a range of techniques, including computer technology. Also, they are expected to have a grounding in fields of knowledge appropriate to the planning discipline, demonstrating critical, analytical thinking to analyse, research, interpret, refine and modify existing knowledge. Learners should have advanced problem-solving competencies and demonstrate self-directed, independent thought, using a range of learning strategies. The learner is expected to be aware of ethical issues and more comprehensive systems about peers and broader society, and to be able to operate in a variety of social and academic contexts.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Architecture Honours, NQF Level 8.
• Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Honours, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Identify, evaluate and solve problems within the ambit of the research area, and demonstrates a high level of responsibility and ethics both within the immediate context of the problem and about society as a whole. Also, he/she is familiar with relevant theoretical material for his/her area of specialisation.
2. Operate effectively in an academic environment with peers and supervisors. Where appropriate to the research area, interact effectively with communities and other groups and individuals outside the academic arena.
3. Produce material of an internationally acceptable standard has extensive communication skills.
4. Evaluate the application of planning technology about broader local and global environmental concerns by building on his/her existing knowledge of planning technology.
5. Locate his/her decision making and proposals within broader procedural and social, legal, economic, intellectual and environmental contexts.
6. Develop a high level of self-management with a critical awareness of personal values.
7. Interpret and apply extensive skills and knowledge in the area of data collection, analysis and organisation.
8. Expose a range of sophisticated learning strategies, and make informed decisions on their employment. Also, he/she is required to act responsibly and professionally, with full regard to the needs and aspirations of the society within which he/she operates.

Further, has considerable cultural and environmental awareness, and is required to enhance and apply this within the area of specialisation. Expose career opportunities both within an entrepreneurial and an academic context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Evaluate existing research and theory, and perform individual research,
• Communicate results at an internationally accepted academic level,
• Solve problems in a specific range of economic and social contexts,
• Contribute significantly to the development of society through mastery of the research area,
• Distinguish between different styles of communication in the quest for information.

Integrated Assessment

The learner is required to submit a dissertation of international academic standard which reflect all aspects of the qualification.