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Unit of study_
PLAN9010: Planning Dissertation 1
2024 unit information
The planning dissertation is a substantial piece of research, conducted full-time over one semester (by enrolment in PLAN9010 and PLAN9011), or part-time over two semesters (by consecutive enrolment in these units). It takes the form of a document (between 15,000 and 25,000 words) on an approved urban and regional planning subject of your choice. There is also an option for students to prepare a shorter document suitable for publication in a refereed journal. The planning dissertation is an opportunity to advance your knowledge and skills in a particular area. For those intending to undertake further academic study, the dissertation also provides an opportunity for you to develop your research and inquiry skills. The objective of the dissertation is to allow you to develop higher order research and analytic skills by undertaking an in-depth study of your own selection. The expected learning outcomes of the dissertation include the ability to: think critically about a planning problem and develop an appropriate research methodology or analytical approach to address it; identify and access appropriate sources of information, research and literature relevant to urban and regional planning issues; undertake primary and secondary research; present your findings in a way that demonstrates academic and professional competence. A dissertation generally includes: a strong literature review to delineate a problem or gap in knowledge; a statement of research aims or objectives, as well as research questions and/or hypotheses; explanation of research methods; presentation and analysis of data; discussion of conclusions; an abstract. Permission to continue the Planning Dissertation is subject to a satisfactory research proposal which must be approved by your supervisor by week 3 of semester. The dissertation will be marked by two examiners and may include an oral presentation. Dissertations are due at the end of the first week of exams for the semester in which you are enrolled in Planning Dissertation 2. Note that only one submission is required for both Planning Dissertation 1 and 2. It is not possible to complete Dissertation 1 independently of Dissertation 2. Students who intend a shorter project should enrol in PLAN9018 Planning Report.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
| Code | PLAN9010 |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Urban and Regional Planning and Policy |
| Credit points | 12 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
?
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None |
| Prohibitions:
?
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PLAN9018 or ARCH9031 or ARCH9045 or ARCH9046 or ARCH9060 |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
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PLAN9068, PLAN9061, PLAN9063, PLAN9045, PLAN9064, ARCH9100 |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. think critically about a planning or policy problem, and develop and apply an appropriate research methodology or analytical approach to address it
- LO2. identify, access and analyse appropriate sources of information, research and literature relevant to urban and regional planning and policy issues
- LO3. undertake primary and secondary research relevant to urban planning policy or practice
- LO4. communicate research findings verbally and in writing in a way that demonstrates academic and professional competence.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2024
|
Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
|
Semester 2 2024
|
Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
Additional advice
The dissertation is suitable for students with a grade average at Distinction (75%) level or above or who wish to pursue a research career. The dissertation should be undertaken towards the end of the degree. This unit is for Master of Urban and Regional Planning students only. It MUST be undertaken in conjunction with PLAN9011 Planning Dissertation 2, either in the same or following semester.
