Students

GEOP8090 – Gateway to the Planning Profession

2024 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Sonia Jacenko
sonia.jacenko@mq.edu.au
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

Where can I find out more about assessment?

Detailed information about each assessment will be available on the iLearn page for this unit and the requirements of each assessment will be discussed in class. 

All assessments must be submitted by 11:55pm via Turn-it-In on the due date. 

Late assessment policy

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Response to Brief 10% No 2024-08-12
Literature/policy review 30% No 2024-09-09
Data collection and analysis 30% No 2024-10-14
Final report 30% No 2024-11-01

Response to Brief

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 2024-08-12
Weighting: 10%

 

800 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: 40 hours
Due: 2024-09-09
Weighting: 30%

 

2500 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: 34 hours
Due: 2024-10-14
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: 30 hours
Due: 2024-11-01
Weighting: 30%

 

5000 word final report combining literature/policy review, data collection/analysis plus overall findings 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

GEOP 8090 Gateway to the Planning Profession is designed to mirror professional research practice, and provides an opportunity to refresh planning knowledge and skills. The scope and delivery of this unit is highly responsive to student needs and the requirements of the Brief to which students are asked to respond.

Class topics address both the requirements of consultancy reports in general and the specific issue the consultancy report is asked to address.

It is expected that students attend scheduled classes to understand the course content; the requirements of the assessments; and to participate in class discussion. The small class size lends itself to robust discussion and some of the classes are run in a workshop style to assist in understanding key concepts relating to the assessments. 

Students are expected to participate in the development of both method and content for assessments, and to cooperate with each other in progressing a discussion of the issues involved.

There is no reading list as one assessment is to develop a short reference list and apply the content to the report being prepared. In addition, students will be required to read and understanding the application of planning policies and strategies relevant to the planning issue captured in the Brief. Students will be guiding on locating these in class.   

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook