Students
GEOP8090 – Gateway to the Planning Profession
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alison Ziller
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPlan and 80cp at 8000 level
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Planning is a professional practice and this unit is designed to assist students develop skills for a career in the planning profession. The unit requires students to prepare a substantial and well researched report in response to a Brief issued by a hypothetical planning agency. The student will prepare a work plan, apply knowledge of planning systems to a particular issue, and respond to the expressed requirements of the hypothetical client. In undertaking this work the student will apply research skills, identify and confront ethical issues, and practice writing for a non-specialist audience. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Prepare a detailed project outline in response to a planning Brief and document the key steps in its execution
- ULO2: Apply research skills to contemporary planning issues
- ULO3: Exercise problem-solving, critical, analytical and integrative thinking skills in the field of planning
- ULO4: Communicate findings in written forms for diverse audiences
- ULO5: Apply skills in self-management, personal judgement and initiative
General Assessment Information
Submission of each assignment should be via Turn-it-in.
Unless a special consideration request https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Response to Brief | 20% | No | 17/08/2020 |
| Literature/policy review | 30% | No | 14/09/2020 |
| Data collection and analysis | 30% | No | 12/10/2020 |
| Final report | 20% | No | 28/10/2020 |
Response to Brief
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 17/08/2020
Weighting: 20%
500 word response setting out the steps and stages to be undertaken to acquit the Brief
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Prepare a detailed project outline in response to a planning Brief and document the key steps in its execution
Literature/policy review
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 14/09/2020
Weighting: 30%
1500 word literature/policy review (Part 1 of report as required in the project Brief)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply research skills to contemporary planning issues
- Exercise problem-solving, critical, analytical and integrative thinking skills in the field of planning
- Communicate findings in written forms for diverse audiences
Data collection and analysis
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 12/10/2020
Weighting: 30%
2000 word data analysis (Part 2 of report as required in the project Brief)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply research skills to contemporary planning issues
- Exercise problem-solving, critical, analytical and integrative thinking skills in the field of planning
- Communicate findings in written forms for diverse audiences
Final report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: 28/10/2020
Weighting: 20%
4500 word final report combining literature/policy review, data collection/analysis plus overall findngs and recommendations
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Communicate findings in written forms for diverse audiences
- Apply skills in self-management, personal judgement and initiative
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
There are four meetings with the course convenor for this unit. The first meeting is compulsory. The remaining meetings are advisory and will be scheduled to suit student timetables
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.