Community & Environmental Planning Course List |
Course Name |
Code |
Weight |
Summary |
First Semester |
Sustainable Community Planning |
COEP 3000 |
60 hours |
Through an exploration of the meaning and rationale for land-use planning, this course introduces the basic elements and
practices involved in community planning. Investigating land-use planning instruments such as Integrated Community
Sustainability Plans (ICSP's) and Municipal Planning Strategies (MPS) will provide learners with a foundation for
comprehending sustainable development at the community level. Learners will analyze the economic, environmental, and
social dimensions of sustainable development versus conventional development. Learners will research planning
methods used in the preparation of planning studies such as population projections, housing needs analysis, and
transportation studies. Learners will be introduced to the exploration of e-government and the role of web development to
provide and improve services, transactions and interactions with citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders.
|
Introduction to Planning Law |
COEP 3010 |
60 hours |
This course introduces the learner to the legal tools used to regulate the use of land. Topics to be covered include
fundamentals of Canadian Law including constitutional law, real property law and how government works. Learners will
examine issues such as public control over private property and the legislation that regulates land use and development.
Throughout the course, extensive reference will be made to existing planning regimes, especially the Nova Scotia model
under the Municipal Government Act.
|
Site Engineering: Environmental Design |
COEP 3020 |
45 hours |
This course exposes learners to various principles and techniques to assist in solving a number of municipal and
environmental engineering problems related to the location and servicing of land developments. Computer Aided Design
(CAD) software is used as an engineering design tool to assist in the problem solving process. Learners will gain
proficiency in reading and visualizing survey maps, grading plans and investigating a variety of site-based, development
constraints.
|
GIS Applications for Community and Environmental Planning I |
COEP 3030 |
45 hours |
This course is designed to provide learners with hands-on experiences in the use of Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) to assist in a wide variety of applications specific to community and environmental planning. Learners will
investigate how GIS can assist planning efforts using suitability analysis and modeling. Learners are required to work in
small groups in a simulated professional planning practice environment.
|
Project Design for Planning |
COEP 3050 |
30 hours |
This course is designed to prepare the learner to undertake a major project with an external partner relating to land-use
planning. Learners are encouraged to seek out a learning project centered on a topic of personal interest. Learners will
prepare a course proposal for approval by the instructor. Upon approval, the learner will work closely with a client to
develop a realistic time line, report outline, needs analysis and background research paper to build a foundation for their
future project.
|
GeoProcessing and Problem Solving I |
GEOM 3010 |
45 hours |
This course introduces the learner to a scripting language and shows how scripting can be used to access and automate
geoprocessing functionality within a Geographic Information System (GIS). Learners are exposed to scripting syntax,
writing simple scripts to automating geoprocessing operations, and learning how to incorporate scripts as custom tools
within a GIS environment.
|
Graphic Design I |
COEP 3040 |
45 hours |
Graphic Design is the visual communication of an intended message. The learner will examine various aspects of design
such as the basic design process, the principles of design, visual hierarchy, typography and color theory.
|
Second Semester |
Sustainable Development Studio |
COEP 4000 |
60 hours |
This course provides the learner with an external exposure to the process of administering subdivision regulations,
subdivision by-laws and land-use by-laws for municipalities. Learners will explore various processes (and related appeals)
including such things as variances, site plans, and development agreements. By examining development control law
through a practical examination of the subdivision process, learners will utilize concepts and skills from COEP 3000
(Sustainable Community Planning) and COEP 3010 (Introduction to Planning Law). Subdivisions often contain many lots,
which require a full range of municipal services to be installed.
|
Site Planning: Environmental Design |
COEP 4020 |
45 hours |
The course is applied and practical in nature with emphasis on the process of site planning. The learner selects an
environmental design problem and produces a site plan by applying research, data collection and analytical skills learned
in COEP 3020 (Site Engineering: Environmental Design) and graphic skills from COEP 3040 (Graphic Design).
|
GIS Applications for Community and Environmental Planning II |
COEP 4030 |
45 hours |
This course is designed to provide the learner with hands-on experience in the use of Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) to assist in a wide variety of applications specific to community and environmental planning. Participants in this
course will investigate how GIS can assist in planning efforts in a variety of ways using advanced spatial analysis and
visualization. Learners will be required to work in small groups in a simulated professional planning practice environment.
|
Graphic Design II |
COEP 4040 |
45 hours |
The course exposes the learner to a variety of graphic design applications using digital techniques. Learners are provided
with a foundation in graphic design principles, symbology, and typography. Information graphics is also a key focal point
of this course. Industry standard software is utilized in the creation of relevant graphics. Emphasis is placed on applied
graphic design theory in all assignments. Course structure simulates real-life private sector working situations and
requires the learner to work and learn independently.
|
Planning Project |
COEP 4050 |
60 hours |
This course allows learners to customize learning around a topic of interest utilizing independent research and study
related to land use planning while working closely with a faculty advisor. Learners work will culminate in a final project,
essay, presentation or demonstration. While the content of the presentation should be accurate and well documented, the
goal of this course is the self-direction of learning.
|
Elective - Geographic Sciences - Community and Environmental Planning (Semester 2) |
ELTV 1.5 |
90 hours |
In addition to their required courses, learners will also complete one or more of the electives (one of which must
have a COEP course code) from the list below to add to a total of 90 hours:
|
Suggested Electives |
Cadastral Mapping |
COEP 4080 |
45 hours |
Cadastral mapping is used by many provincial and private sector offices in the Maritimes. This course provides the
learner with an overview of the various stakeholders and the practical applications of Nova Scotia Property Records
Database (NSPRD) and supporting databases. GIS skills in this course will be focused on working with the NSPRD,
Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) data including inputting data from legal surveys and updating property
mapping from supporting legal documents.
|
Community Mapping |
COEP 4082 |
45 hours |
This course focuses on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data for supporting regional and
community well-being through mapping projects. This course introduces the learner to Public Participation Geographic
Information Systems (PPGIS) as a mechanism to undertake modern mapping to the local community level in order to
promote knowledge production.
|
Self Directed Studies for Planning |
COEP 4083 |
45 hours |
This course provides the learner with an opportunity to explore emerging issues and technology related to community and
environmental planning. After gaining a base understanding of the domain of community and environmental planning, the
learner will either undertake an in-depth investigation of a planning related issue or study a relevant piece of technology
which has not been explored through other course work. Emphasis is placed on identifying, researching, and presenting
current topics and technologies for class consideration and discussion.
|
Digital Mapping Techniques |
GISY 6053 |
45 hours |
This modular based course is delivered in two portions. The first will cover the production of a nautical chart and the
second will involve ocean mapping techniques.
Nautical charts portray the legal description of navigable waterways. The detail and accuracy of this unique type of
mapping data is of paramount importance to mariners, both professional and recreational. This course provides an
opportunity for the learner to become familiar with Canadian Hydrographic Service data as distributed by Nautical Data
International and use this data to generate a CHS standard chart.
The ocean mapping portion of the course will involve the download and preparation of World Ocean Database
information. This dataset includes point-wise information that includes depth, salinity, temperature and other data relating
to the water column.The learner will utilize the techniques required to process WOD information into a finished map that
portrays temporal change.
|
GeoProcessing and Problem Solving II |
GEOM 4010 |
90 hours |
Building on the skills and knowledge learned in Geoprocessing and Problem Solving I, this course enables the learner to
use intermediate to advanced scripting techniques. Learners begin by refining their scripting skills by manipulating several
key data types and create effective, reusable code. Learners then apply these skills to execute custom geoprocessing
functionality. The course covers incorporating scripts into the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment and
prepares learners to leverage the full capabilities of scripting within the geoprocessing framework.
|
GIS Elective |
GISD 4050 |
45 hours |
This course provides the learner with an opportunity to explore emerging technologies. Emphasis is on identifying,
researching, and presenting current technological topics for class consideration and discussion. This course provides a
technical overview of the current state of geographic information systems, with a focus on new and emerging
technologies and applications.
|
Grid Modelling and Map Algebra |
GEOM 4030 |
45 hours |
Learners are required to use ESRI's Workstation GRID and the ArcMap Desktop Spatial Analyst platforms to complete a
number of analytical tasks involving multi-factored analysis for modelling using Dana Tomlin's "map algebra". Map
Algebra can be used embedded in AML, within the Raster Calculator Syntax Window or embedded in various scripting
languages such as Python.
|
Introduction to Databases for Geographic Sciences |
GEOM 4070 |
45 hours |
This course introduces the learner to the fundamentals of relational databases, which includes an elementary
implementation of the design principles applied to spatial data. Emphasis in the implementation is on using basic
Structured Query Language (SQL) commands to create and manipulate geographic data. Learners will gain a basic
insight into database systems terminology and issues facing database managers and analysts.
|
LiDAR Operations and Applications |
REMS 6082 |
45 hours |
This course covers the end-to-end LiDAR project workflow from technology to operations to applications. The first half of
the course concentrates on technical and operational. During the second part, the focus is on data manipulation
techniques and applications. In other words, the first part targets the Survey industry while the second part focuses on the
Geomatics community end-user.
|
MapInfo Professional/Vertical Mapper |
GISY 6026 |
45 hours |
This software package provides a complete environment for user-friendly thematic mapping, extremely powerful SQL
querying and many typical GIS operations. Learners will also learn how to use Vertical Mapper, a grid-based contouring,
modeling and display system. Vertical Mapper runs from within MapInfo and brings the power of raster GIS into this
package.
|
Mobile GIS Applications |
GEOM 4050 |
45 hours |
This course exposes the learner to the process of developing mobile Geographic Information Systems (GIS) projects.
The course will examine all of the steps involved from the planning phase right through to the project deployment. The
learner will gain practical experience at modifying existing data, maps, and GIS workflows to the mobile environment.
|
Open Source Mapping |
CART 3030 |
45 hours |
This course provides the learner with an opportunity to investigate a range of free, open-source technologies for desktop
and web-based mapping and data analysis. The course will examine open-source mapping technology, interoperability
and open standards as well as explore issues associated with open-source geospatial software solutions.
|
Serving Maps on the Internet |
BUGE 6020 |
45 hours |
The convergence of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with the internet technology is transforming the uses of GIS
and availability of spatial data. Industry standard software packages will be used for a completion of tutorials and learner
projects. Learners will study server-based web mapping software tools. Theories and principles behind internet mapping,
including distributed component technologies, graphic designs and network communications will be explored.
|
Terrain and Statistical Visualization |
CART 4204 |
60 hours |
This course presents the learner with an opportunity to explore a set of advanced GIS 3D visualization tools to build digital
terrain models. The course will cover how to use GIS software to integrate high-resolution remote sensing imagery and
digital aerial photography to create new, highly `visual' products. Learners will investigate how such products can be linked
with interactive map interfaces allowing for a wide range of visualization opportunities.
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