Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Sciences
ObjectivesThe BS-URS Program prepares students for entry-level positions as well as provides a well-rounded education for advanced studies. The core curriculum equips students with knowledge and skills to deal effectively with the opportunities and challenges inherent in the development, growth and culture of neighborhoods, cities, regional and the global community. The broad-based multidisciplinary curriculum features theoretical training in the natural, physical, and social sciences. Recognizing that space and society are shaped by human relationships and decisions, the Program emphasizes the social, economic, cultural, and natural forces that govern how planners, community leaders, and citizens can make places safe, healthy, and sustainable.
Course descriptionThe Bachelors of Science in Urban & Regional Sciences (BS-URS) program emphasizes the social, economic, cultural and natural forces that govern how communities and society are shaped. Coursework provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop solutions to community and regional growth and development issues that face our state and nation. Our program fosters a unique multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving in order to affect quality of life in communities and regions in the U.S. and world-wide. Students have an opportunity to specialize in specific aspects of community and regional planning and development issues along with internship and service-learning experiences locally, nationally, and/or internationally.
The degree provides students with two broad career options:
1. Graduates will be able to seek entry-level positions as technical specialists or program analysts in public and private sector organizations (both for-profit and not-for-profit) that focus on how neighborhoods and communities develop and re-invent themselves. Examples include community and economic development specialists, urban planning specialists, geographic information analysts, emergency management specialists, and land and real estate analysts.
2. The degree provides excellent preparation for professional and graduate education in fields such as urban and regional planning (e.g., Master of Urban Planning ), architecture and landscape architecture ( Master of Architecture , Master of Landscape Architecture ), land and real estate development ( Master of Science in Land Development , Master of Real Estate Development), public policy (Master of Public Administration), law (JD or Juris Doctor), and various allied fields in health (Master of Health Care Administration, Master of Health Policy, Master of Public Health).
Specialized Emphasis Areas:
To build leadership, professional, and academic excellence, BS-URS students select 4 to 8 courses in Specialized Emphasis Areas :