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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

128211 v.4 Graduate Certificate in Development Planning

GradCertDevPlan(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 023976J
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 0.5 Years


Course Overview

Graduate certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This course provides an introduction to the planning principles, practices and techniques used by urban and regional planners. Examples and applications draw on Western Australian, interstate and overseas examples. It can be seen as a stand-alone qualification in its own right, or as the first step towards the Master of Urban and Regional Planning, which is a full professional qualification. It can also provide mid-career training for practising planners from developing countries. A distinguishing characteristic of the course is the use of interdisciplinary knowledge and techniques in addressing environmental, social and design issues of concern to the community. It is now widely accepted that successful human settlements must be properly planned and a range of statutory and non-statutory controls exist at all levels of government to protect the public interest in the development process. The involvement of individuals and community groups in the preparation and implementation of plans is now considered vital to successful development outcomes.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students may be required to pay for additional expenses whilst on fieldwork/clinical placements.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning.


Applicants without a bachelor degree or equivalent require vocational skills and knowledge in relevant professional areas where it can be demonstrated, through professional work experience, the capacity to successfully undertake this program


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Graduate certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. identify and apply the principles, theories and concepts of urban and regional planning and draw upon appropriate knowledge of social, economic and environmental factors within a governance framework to practise planning, particularly in the Western Australian context;

2. examine and challenge theories and practices of urban and regional planning, and generate creative solutions to planning issues

3. access, evaluate and synthesise information in the context of urban and regional planning

4. communicate effectively in writing, graphically and orally with various audiences within a university context

5. use appropriate technologies to gather and interpret research and data

6. engage in self education within the Urban and Regional Planning profession to continue self development

7. compare and contrast developmental processes in local and international contexts

8. work ethically as individuals and in teams using skills central to the practice of integrated planning development


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is one semester full-time study. Whilst part-time study is available most units are timetabled during the day, and part-time students will need to make arrangement to attend classes held during the day. Field trips are also likely to be held during the day.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   100.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
12623 v.4   Local Planning 511 3.0 25.0
307755 v.2   Integrated Plan Making 512 3.0 25.0
12625 v.4   Regional Planning 511 3.0 25.0
309669 v.1   Site Planning 512 3.0 25.0
5158 v.9   Planning Law 512 3.0 25.0
5308 v.7   Planning Theory 511 3.0 25.0
307754 v.1   Development Processes 512 3.0 25.0

*    Students may select an elective unit, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, in replacement of one optional unit




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.