Graduate Catalog: 2012-2013 - Alabama A&M University

during the semester is dedicated to teaching Arc GISwhile the other half focuses specifically on theapplication of Arc GIS in the development,preparation and presentation of a databasecontaining tables, maps and graphs typicallyrequired for the preparation of comprehensive plansin planning agencies. (Prerequisite- Instructor’sapproval required)URP 527 Planning Studio II - Three semesterhours. The course focuses on comprehensive planmaking at the municipal and multi-jurisdictional(regional) levels. It is designed to build on the skillsand concepts learned in Planning Studio I. Thecourse provides the students with practicalexperiences in integration and application of variouscomponents of the planning process into a holisticpolicy plan. It emphasizes the use of research,analytical, forecasting and evaluation methods inplan-making. Also both collaborative and individualstudent products are emphasized. (Pre-requisite-Instructor’s approval required)URP 529 Professional Practice - Three semesterhours. The purpose of the course is to assist studentsin understanding the professional responsibility ofthe practicing planner. The objectives are to teachthe concept of professionalism, to train students inthe ethical conduct of a professional planner, and toprepare students for careers as a practitioners withinprivate and public domains, and to meetrequirements of membership in the AmericanInstitute of Certified Planners (AICP). The courseteaches students how to develop, implement andplan projects; how to prepare budgets and how towork in a bureaucratic organization. (Pre-requisite –URP 500, URP 510, URP 520; URP 525 and URP527 OR Instructor’s approval)URP 531 Economic and Population Analysis forPlanners - Three semester hours. The courseexamines the interactive relationships betweendemographic, economic and other social processeswhich impact on the quality of life, and influenceplanning policies and programs. Topics covered inthe course include the vital processes of populationchange, economic processes and activityforecasting, and their cumulative impacts on urbanand regional structures and planning policies.URP 533 Land Use Planning - Three semesterhours. This course focuses on analysis of majordeterminants of land use, growth potentials and landuse alternatives for urban regions. Current policyissues, and approaches and techniques of land useplanning at the national, state and local levels, andtheir impact on community revenues and outlayswill also be explored.URP 534 Community Facilities Planning - Threesemester hours. This course is designed to set forthand explore the methods, techniques, analysis andplanning for the delivery of basic communityfacilities in terms of programs, policies, andphysical facilities. Areas of exploration includecommunity parks, water and sewage, airports, fireprotection, solid waste and related specialcommunity facilities. In addition, communityorganizational structures are also described as theyrelated to the delivery of services and facilitiesoperation.URP 535 Transportation Planning - Threesemester hours. This course is designed to providean overview of the transportation planning processtogether with a detailed understanding of thetechniques used to assess the transportation impactsof land development. Components of the long rangemetropolitan area transportation planning processwill provide an understanding as to how area widetransportation plans are generated tested, evaluated,and implemented. The course will focus on theproject level of land use and transportation systeminteraction.URP 536 Health and Urban Planning - Threesemester hours. This course examines federallegislation and legislative actions which haveinfluenced the broad spectrum of health planningservices, emergency medical services, nursing homestandards, health maintenance organizations andrelevant responsibilities of planners in thebroadening health planning field.URP 538 Transportation Modeling - Threesemester hours. This course is designed to presentan in-depth orientation to contemporarytransportation planning computer model packagesand analytical techniques. Practical applications areprovided to gain experience in transportation datageneration, data management, program executionand interpretation of computer output. (Prerequisite:URP 535)URP 539 Transportation Administration - Threesemester hours. This course will focus on a broadexamination of mass transit issues includinglegislation, funding, technology assessmentplanning, and planning process, implementation,and management of public transportation operations.175