Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Urban and Regional Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies requires 120 credits, including 40 credits within the major. The program is designed so that students may enter as late as their junior year and provides a solid foundation for professional work or advanced study aimed at addressing some of the most important challenges and issues facing the U.S. and other world regions, such as urban sprawl, economic marginalization, ethnic and racial conflict and environmental degradation. The program covers a wide range of topics related to these issues, including transportation, housing, land use, environmental management, regional and international development, human-environment interaction, globalization and socioeconomic change. Students can focus on the subject matter of their interest by choosing to concentrate in either urban planning and policy or regional analysis and development; alternatively they may opt for a generalized course of study. Nine core courses and a lab (28 credits total) are required for all majors. These courses provide fundamental background knowledge in an array of disciplines that form the foundations of urban and regional studies, such as urban planning and design, human and physical geography, economics, environmental management, urban and public policy, and geographic information systems. Students complete their remaining 12 credits within one of the two concentrations or through a generalized course of study. The program helps develop a theoretical and methodological background as well as analytical skills that can be used to address a wide range of issues and problems. Students acquire marketable skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis, computer usage, problem solving and communication - as well as a broad perspective on environment and society - that are essential for many occupations. The generalized course of study option is designed for those students who have a broad interest in urban and regional studies. They can tailor this course of study to match not only intellectual interests but anticipated career goals. Students complete the core courses and then select the remaining 12 credits from any of the non-core courses listed below. Learning outcomes Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Multidisciplinary understanding of urban and regional dynamics, and other factors Students will develop a multidisciplinary understanding of urban life, including the following aspects: (1) the urbanization process in modern America; (2) urbanization in other cultures and in non-contemporary periods; (3) urban design and the built environment; (4) urban economic geography; (5) urban demographics and urban sociology; (6) the relationship of the natural environment to urbanization and the built environment; (7) urban politics; (8) urban finance; (9) urban problems and planning as a response; (10) links between urban studies-related disciplines. Mastery of general and major-specific skills Students will develop the skills necessary to function as a well-rounded, educated citizen, as well as skills useful in urban analysis, planning and community development careers, specifically: (1) oral communication; (2) written communication; (3) quantitative analysis; (4) library research; (5) cause and effect reasoning; (6) organized presentation of ideas; (7) scientific method; (8) critical and independent thinking; (9) computer proficiency; (10) ability to work in groups; (11) graphic communication; (12) analysis of data in map form; (13) government documents research. Ethics and sense of social and personal responsibility