City and Regional Planning - Master of Science

The goal of this study programme is to educate students who are equipped with multi-disciplinary competences, with the ability to create and evaluate sustainable, functional, safe, and resilient urban infrastructure and communities. The programme integrates technical subjects with design and social understanding. Placemaking, spatial analysis, conceptual development and design, as well as planning processes are central topics in this programme. The master programme in City and Regional Planning focuses on shaping sustainable and robust urban infrastructure and communities, along with renewable energy solutions. The target group for this study programme is planning-, civil engineering- or architecture students who are interested in combinations of design, technical and social issues. Experience with city/urban/spatial planning subjects as well as traditional and digital graphic design and representation skills are highly recommended. The study programme is a post-graduate programme that runs over four semesters and covers 120 ECTS, resulting in a Master degree in City and Regional Planning.

Learning outcomes

After having completed the master’s programme in City and Regional Planning, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:

Knowledge

K1: Has advanced knowledge within city and regional planning, and specific insight into selected topics. 

K2: Has in-depth knowledge about scientific theory and methods within city and regional planning. 

K3: Can apply knowledge to new topics within city and regional planning. 

K4: Can analyse relevant problems while taking planning history, traditions, methods and social responsibility into account. 

K5: Can understand and evaluate technical and aesthetic aspects of existing urban environment as well as propose new ones.

Skills

S1: Can participate and lead interdisciplinary planning processes on city, region and neighbourhood scales. 

S2: Can analyse a space in terms of topography, history, built environment and traffic. 

S3: Can propose compound master plans and small-scale designs. 

S4: Can shape sustainable, functional, safe and resilient environments. 

S5: Can critically assess consequences associated with proposed land use, building development and transport plans.

General Competences

G1: Can analyse professional, theoretical and research-ethical problems. 

G2: Can apply knowledge and skills to new areas in order to implement advanced tasks and projects. 

G3: Can convey extensive pieces of independent work and master planning terminology –orally, written and graphically. 

G4: Can communicate planning problems, analyses and conclusions, to both experts and the public. 

G5: Can critically assess and reflect on literature and projects on city and regional planning. 

G6: Can contribute to original thinking and innovation.

Syllabus

The programme consists of 20 ECTS method courses (G), 40 ECTS mandatory core study (F), 30 ECTS specialisation/electives or study abroad (U), and 30 ECTS Master`s thesis.

In the 1st semester of the study programme, the focus is on mastering basic planning and analysis tools and methods, and working on local planning tasks, before moving on to regional and international examples in the 2nd semester. Some topics and courses are shared between study programmes for city and regional planning, societal safety and renewable energy.

The 3rd semester gives an opportunity for international exchange. Students can for example spend an exchange semester in San Diego State University, or travel to Aalborg University (Dept. of Architecture, Design, and Media Technology), and choose between two specializations: Urban Architecture and Mobilities or Urban Studies.

As an alternative, students can choose to specialise in sustainable urban development and mobility, safe and robust cities, or renewable energy solutions, through elective courses at UiS.

The master’s thesis (BYGMAS) is usually completed in the 4th semester and addresses topics relevant to the study programme. Many students write their thesis with a company or public institution. Planning of the master’s thesis should start in the third semester.
Most courses have weekly lectures. Some courses include seminars, tutorials and mandatory hand-in projects or group work. The use of data tools is an integral part of most courses.

UiS has emphases on offering all study programmes as planned, but reserves the right to make changes subject to capacity and the number of students. Adjustments of content and structure of study programmes are natural in relation with changes in technology and society over time.

Career prospects

The programme’s combination of courses in technology and design, together with social understanding, give students a wide skillset, and thus a large spectrum of job opportunities. Typical examples include work in physical planning and management, urban design and planning, and urban analysis in both public and private sectors.

A completed Master of Science can qualify for admission to doctoral studies within Risk- and Societal Safety at the University of Stavanger.

Course assessment

Schemes for quality assurance and evaluation of studies are stipulated in Quality system for education