Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• MET UA 613: Urban Design and Development
  The role of urban design in the community development process. Examines human behavior, aesthetic foundations of design methods, citizen/client participation, and public policy issues. Analysis of actual community spaces. Student design exercises.
• MET UA 617: Actionable Sustainability
  Sustainability generally refers to the ability of "systems" to be maintained such that they remain viable over long periods of time. As much as achieving the perfect sustainable equilibrium may be the ideal, it is important to recognize that there will be competing and conflicting interests, especially within complex hierarchical social, economic and ecological systems, particularly in light of ongoing climatic change. This field intensive course draws on the practices and theories of sustainability and climate change to understand what sustainability can mean in different contexts, and, more important, how nuanced, sustainable solutions can be achieved under varying conditions and in different systems. With an emphasis on the urban environment, the course will consist of projects in which students will identify, analyze, and develop practical proposals to real world issues. This course is intended for a wider audience from a range of disciplines.
• MET UA 619: Urban Transportation Policy and Planning
  This course will provide students with a broad introduction to important concepts and policy issues in transportation, principally at an urban and metropolitan level. In addition, the course will explore methods planning practitioners can use to analyze transportation problems and propose solutions. The course will use specific examples of planning initiatives (both operations and capital) from transportation agencies within the Boston Metropolitan region. Guest speakers from local, regional, and state transportation agencies within the Greater Boston Metropolitan area will supplement the instructor's lectures and assigned readings.
• MET UA 642: Geospatial Intelligence
  Prerequisite: MET UA 598 or consent of instructor. Studying Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) for Urban Analysis equips students with the analytical tools and methodologies to understand and solve complex urban challenges. This knowledge is crucial for making informed decisions related to urban planning, infrastructure development, disaster management, and sustainability efforts. Through practical applications and real-world case studies, the course prepares students to contribute effectively to the development of smarter, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable urban environments.
• MET UA 664: Planning and the Development Process
  This course specifically explores the area where the private and public sectors meet so that the student can develop an awareness of the complexity of dealing with these often competing interests. The objective of the course is to give the student an understanding of the motivations of the private sector in the way they go about creating their products and projects and to leave the student with the tools and knowledge to successfully negotiate the Public Interest with the Private Needs.
• MET UA 756: Capstone 1
  Prerequisites: MET UA 515, MET UA 589, and at least two additional planning courses. For MS in City Planning degree candidates only. Gain experience in the technical side of planning, with an awareness of the normative and value-laden aspects of the planning profession in part one of the planning studio capstone. Integral components of this first semester of the Capstone experience include conducting site visits, assessing existing conditions of the study area, conducting initial stakeholder outreach meetings, designing a stakeholder outreach strategy and conducting a SWOT analysis.
• MET UA 757: Capstone 2
  Prerequisites: MET UA 756 or consent of instructor. For MS in City Planning degree candidates only. Gain experience in the technical side of planning, with an awareness of the normative and value- laden aspects of the planning profession in part two of the planning studio capstone. Integral components of the second semester of the Capstone experience include formulating guiding principles for design and intervention, conducting stakeholder engagement efforts, formulating Vision Plan recommendations and projects, and preparing a final vision plan.
• MET UA 801: Graduate Directed Study in Urban Affairs and Planning
  Limited to a maximum of 8 credits toward the degree requirements. Approval by program director required prior to registration. Study of urban and public affairs and planning individually arranged between student and instructor to provide training opportunities not available elsewhere.
• MET UA 802: Graduate Directed Study in Urban Affairs and Planning
  Limited to a maximum of 8 credits toward the degree requirements. Approval by program director required prior to registration. Study of urban and public affairs and planning individually arranged between student and instructor to provide training opportunities not available elsewhere.
• MET UA 804: Supervised Fieldwork
  Limited to a maximum of four credits toward the degree requirements. Approval by program director required prior to registration. Students spend a minimum of 5 hours per week working with public agencies, community groups, or private organizations, during the semester.
• MET UA 808: Supervised Fieldwork 2
  Limited to a maximum of four credits toward the degree requirements. Approval by program director required prior to registration. Students spend a minimum of 5 hours per week working with public agencies, community groups, or private organizations, during the semester.