Planning and Environment Research MA

Program Overview

The Planning and Environment Research MA program trains students to become successful researchers in environmental or landscape planning. It equips students with advanced research skills, a comprehensive understanding of contemporary planning issues, and the ability to tailor their studies to their individual interests. Graduates are prepared for careers in research-intensive roles within the public, private, and voluntary sectors, as well as for further research, including a PhD.

Program Outline

Planning and Environment Research MA: Comprehensive Course Information

Degree Overview:

The Planning and Environment Research MA trains students to become successful researchers in the field of environmental or landscape planning. This program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to pursue a PhD in the field while also preparing them for careers in research-intensive roles within the public, private, and voluntary sectors.

Key Objectives:

• Develop advanced research skills in data collection and analysis.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of contemporary and specialized issues in environmental planning research.
• Choose from a wide range of optional modules to tailor the program to individual research interests.

Outline:

Structure:

• Full-time: 12 months
• Part-time: 24 months

Course Schedule:

• Semester 1:
• Thinking about Research
• Information Skills
• Dissertation Preparation
• Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Quantitative Analysis
• Semester 2:
• Dissertation
• Optional modules (select 2)
• Summer:
• Dissertation completion

Individual Modules:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Thinking about Research (10 credits)
• Information Skills (10 credits)
• Dissertation Preparation (10 credits)
• Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (20 credits)
• Quantitative Analysis (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Optional Modules:
• Conceptualising Landscape (20 credits)
• Conceptualising Landscape (10 credits)
• Project 1: Spatial Strategies (20 credits)
• Economics of Development (10 credits)
• Conservation and the City (10 credits)
• Planning Frameworks (10 credits)
• Linked Research Project (30 credits)
• Planning and Sustainability (10 credits)
• The Reflexive Practitioner (MSc version) (10 credits)
• Conservation and the City Project (10 credits)
• Globalisation and Social Justice: Project (10 credits)
• Globalisation and Social Justice (10 credits)

Assessment:

• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Essays
• Reports
• Reflective logs
• Research proposals
• Research papers
• Written exercises

Teaching:

• Research-active staff with extensive practical and supervisory experience.
• Focus on developing strong research skills, including data collection and analysis.
• Emphasis on ethical research practices.
• Opportunities to develop expertise in specialized areas of research.
• Flexible program structure allows students to tailor their learning experience to their individual interests.

Careers:

• Graduates are equipped for careers in research-intensive roles within the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
• Graduates are well-prepared for careers in environmental planning, landscape planning, and related fields.

Other:

• The program is delivered by the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape.
• The School has excellent studio teaching facilities and research suites.
The program structure and content may be subject to changes.