Program Overview

Urban and Regional Development

Overview

The Urban and Regional Development program is designed for students who have visionary ideas for sustainable development, analytical minds, and a passion for innovation. This Bachelor of Science program addresses questions of urban and regional growth, location of economic activity, land development, and real estate. Students learn to analyze data, use cartographic and geographic information systems, and gain hands-on training in the field. Additionally, students learn interactively in remote-sensing laboratories. Upon graduation, they enter the workforce with directly applicable skills such as teamwork and collaboration, analytical research, industry software knowledge, design, strategic thinking, and understanding of planning law and legislation.

Learning Outcomes

• Assess the ecological, economic, and social sustainability of urban areas
• Analyze spatial variation in the social, cultural, and economic features of cities, and illustrate their impacts on the urban experience
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to diverse audiences/publics/stakeholders
• Identify and critically analyze urban and regional development issues/problems using multiple social science frameworks
• Apply knowledge of urban and regional development collaboratively
• Apply qualitative and quantitative empirical techniques to critically analyze an issue or problem in urban and regional development

Program Details

Sample Courses

• GEOG 302: Introduction to Sustainable Development
• GEOG 367: Population Geography
• GEOG 456: The American City

Career Fields

• Real estate
• Architecture
• Engineering
• City planning
• Sustainability

Level of Math

Moderate Knowledge

The M-strand is for students who require mathematical facility at the level of at least MATH 112 (College Algebra Concepts) or 108 (Modeling with Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions). This strand involves reasonable facility with algebra and algebraic functions, graphs, and simple modeling. Students who choose the M-strand are prepared for further mathematical work. This work may include MATH 107 (Exploring and Understanding Data), MATH 113 (Elements of Calculus), MATH 116 (Calculus Concepts for Business), MATH 119A (Mathematics of Biological Systems: A Calculus Based Approach), or a statistics class from outside the Mathematics Department, such as ISTA 116 (Statistical Foundations for the Information Age) or SBS 200 (Statistics for the Social Sciences).

Level of Second Language

2nd Semester Proficiency

Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

No

This Major's College

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Sample Plans

2025, Urban and Regional Development

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

1st Semester

• ENGL 101 First-Year Composition (3 credits)
• MATH (3 credits)
• Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1 credit)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• Second Language (4 credits)

2nd Semester

• ENGL 102 First-Year Composition (3 credits)
• GEOG 222 or SBS 200 (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• Second Language (4 credits)

Second Year

3rd Semester

• UREG Major Core (3 credits)
• UREG Major Core (3 credits)
• ECON 200 (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)

4th Semester

• UREG Major Core (3 credits)
• UREG Major Core (3 credits)
• Elective (0 credits)
• General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1 credit)

Third Year

5th Semester

• UREG Major Methods (3 credits)
• UREG Major Elective (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

6th Semester

• UREG Major Methods (3 credits)
• UREG Major Elective (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

Fourth Year

7th Semester

• UREG Major Internship/Capstone (3 credits)
• UREG Major Elective (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

8th Semester

• UREG Major Elective (3 credits)
• UREG Major Methods (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)