LUP-80812 BSc Thesis Spatial Planning

Course

Credits 12.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or english

Mandatory knowledge:

Before starting with the BSc thesis Spatial Planning students must have completed at least 102 credits of CS and RO courses including all 60 credits of the B1. As part of the 102 credits they should have passed successfully:
- YRM-21306 Research Methodology for Human Environment Interactions
- LUP-30806 Studio Participative Planning.

Assumed knowledge on:

PAP-20806 Public Administration and Environmental Law; LUP-24306 Planning Theory and Ethics; LUP-35806 Mobility and Network Infrastructures; LUP-20306 Planning and Research Methods; LUP-37312 Studio Strategic Planning

Contents:

The Bachelor thesis is the completion of the Bachelor program. The thesis effectively involves research-based learning on the basis of a societal problem. The student has to delineate a (research) project that is relevant for spatial planning. After approval by the supervisor the research can be carried out by means of an empirical study. The research itself should be based on empirical observations, collected and analyzed in a systematic manner, either quantitative or qualitative by nature. The chosen subject should meet with the required complexity for the BSc-level and enable students to demonstrate not only BSc-level competences with regard to their academic knowledge and skills, but also that they can independently conduct the necessary preliminary study and bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. If students successfully pass the Bachelor Thesis they have proven to be ready for the Master Program.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- execute a landscape research under supervision, formulate a research proposal, extract research questions from a relevant societal problem and execute a literature review;
- identify relevant planning theories, approaches and practices;
- demonstrate familiarity with different types of planning processes and can distinguish different planning methods;
- carry out an empirical analysis of the physical and social dimensions of the development of the landscape under the influence of natural and cultural processes;
- value the ethical implications of planning and design interventions in relation to themes as gender, equity, multiculturalism and sustainability;
- give evidence of scientific curiosity and pro-activity;
- present the results of a research process both visually, orally and in text;
- express a critical attitude and reflect on personal thinking and action;
- work according to planning and be reliable, honest and incorruptible.

Activities:

The course consists of three parts:
- formulate a research or project proposal, including personal learning objectives;
- conduct the research and report about the research results
- reflect on the research process, the results, the own disciplinary approach and the personal learning objectives.

Examination:

The programme uses a standard evaluation form for the assessment of the bachelor thesis.
Criteria for the assessment are:
- research competencies (45%);
- report (45%);
- presentation (5%);
- and final discussion (5%).
The thesis work is always graded by two assessors. Both assessors are present during the presentation and the final discussion of the thesis. The examiner is not always personally involved in the thesis supervision and secures the reliability of the assessment.
The final report and the reflection report should be handed in not later than 8 weeks (based upon full-time work on the thesis) after the start of the thesis. If the final work is assessed insufficiently (5 or lower) the student has one opportunity to improve it within 4-6 weeks. If this version is again insufficient the BSc Thesis has to be done again in a new period.

Literature:

Verschuren, P., Doorewaard, H. 2015. Het ontwerpen van een onderzoek (vijfde druk). Boom Lemma uitgevers Amsterdam. Paperback, ISBN 9789462365070. 320 pagina's.
Or Verschuren, P., Doorewaard, H. 2013. Designing a research project (second revised edition). Boom Lemma uitgevers. Paperback, ISBN 9789059315723. 312 pages.
Other usefull information can be found in: Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb , Joseph M. Williams, 2008. The Craft Of Research, Third Edition. ISBN 9780226065663. 336 pages
or in Kumar. R., 2014. Research Methodology. A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage, London. Paperback. Fourth edition. ISBN: 9781446269978. 432 pages