NGO Education Survey

Academic Skills

This subject will provide students with the basic academic and study skills required to undertake tertiary study. It is designed as an intensive subject which must be undertaken in the first semester of a Bond College Diploma Program. It will show students how to manage their time and make a weekly study planner, and introduce them to academic skills such as critical reading, essay writing, referencing protocols, note taking and information literacy and research.

Critical Thinking and Communication

In this subject students will be introduced to critical thinking aqnd clear expression.They will evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, judge patterns of inference, and recognise and apply various methods of reasoning. Students will learn how to clarify and visually represent their thinking to make better decisions, evaluate and use evidence, and communicate more effectively in their writing and speaking. Using these skills, students will structure and write an academic essay and deliver an oral presentation.

Economics of Sustainable Development

This subject considers the economics of sustainability from a broader base of analysis and evaluation than the traditional focus of economics. In this analysis sustainability pays attention to comprehensive outcomes of events and actions insofar as they can be anticipated at present and takes a longer term view of the process and results in the community. It examines the environmental aspect with the ecological footprint, environmental issues and includes social factors embodied in the triple bottom linestandards for urban and community effects.

Economics of Sustainable Development

This subject considers the economics of sustainability from a broader base of analysis and evaluation than the traditional focus of economics. In this analysis sustainability pays attention to comprehensive outcomes of events and actions insofar as they can be anticipated at present and takes a longer term view of the process and results in the community. It examines the environmental aspect with the ecological footprint, environmental issues and includes social factors embodied in the triple bottom linestandards for urban and community effects.

Environmental and Economic Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the lynchpin of development approvals for public and private sector projects in Australia and many developed and developing countries. No large project in Australia proceeds without an EIA, although the form of EIA can differ. Environmental Impact Assessment is a dedicated statutory process where the environmental, economic and social impacts of projects are assessed by government. Demand for professionals with practical knowledge of EIA is very high in both the public and private sector. In this subject you will gain a detailed understanding and practical knowledge of the EIA processes in Queensland and other states and territories, and internationally. You will learn the skills necessary to be in a professional in the field of EIA through a focus on contemporary real world examples including LNG (liquefied natural gas) development, large scale property developments, port projects and bauxite mining. A specific focus on economic impact analysis is also included. There are two specific focii: (i) ecological principles in EIA; (ii) economic principles in EIA.

Environmental Assessment

This subject will enhance understanding of environmental assessment both in Australia and internationally. The types of impact assessment explored will include environmental impact assessment, social impact assessment, cumulative impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment.

Environmental Management and Climate Change

This subject will introduce students to the relationship between climate science and environmental management responses. The significance of international climate change policy will be discussed with reference to implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions by governments, and business and industry. Tools, international standards and reporting methods including climate impact assessment, life cycle assessment and carbon auditing will be examined.

Environmental Science Fieldwork

This subject will be taught as a block of one week and will provide practical environmental field data collection and analysis experience. The environmental issues of a selected region will be studied using environmental assessment methods appropriate to the region.

Ethical Thought and Action

Using an applied case-based approach, this subject helps students gain ethical awareness, develop relevant reasoning skills, and empower themselves to act ethically in personal and professional contexts. This interdisciplinary subject explores critical ethical issues in science, law, business, media, and the environment. Topics remain flexible to reflect the dynamic nature of ethical issues in the 21st century.

Expert Witness and Dispute Resolution

Project participants need to understand the legal context within which they make decisions and perform actions, as frequently disputes can arise that require resolution and/or expert opinion. Project quality and environmental management provide a convenient instance where disputes and the need for expert testimony can arise, and are examined here in the context of project closure, including lessons learnt, standards, continuous improvement and client satisfaction. A general appreciation of international legal principles informed by case law forms an important backdrop to the subject. Practitioners must understand the limitations of their involvement in legal proceedings and be familiar with the conduct of procedures that commonly take place, including alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration and mediation. A moot court environment is used to demonstrate the experience of appearing in a formal hearing, and students are asked to also prepare or critique an expert report related to an example of ‘defective’ work or service that is the subject of a contractual dispute.

Introduction to Global Citizenship

This subject introduces students to the key questions around what it means to be a global citizen. While developing a global literacy, students will explore how their own actions contribute to situations of global significance. This awareness will be developed out to show the role that individuals, institutions, non-government organisations and government can play in improving outcomes for other people, communities, nations and the environment. Building on the capabilities approach to human development outlines by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, the subject encourages students to think critically about the most effective ways to address key problems facing the world today. At the same time, students will reflect on the importance of being attentive to cultural difference. The subject focuses on increasing a sense of individual agency for becoming a responsible citizen of the world.

Leadership and Team Dynamics

This subject is designed to help students develop the intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to function effectively as individual contributors, team players and leaders in diverse social contexts. These skills are essential to all students' personal and professional lives in any current or future profession. Students will gain a greater understanding of their personality, values, emotions, perceptions and related attributes, and develop an appreciation of the diversity of these characteristics in others. This perspective is required to work effectively in diverse multi-disciplinary groups and to develop the followership and leadership behaviours that are highly valued in contemporary organisations. Finally, students will develop a structured, personal, self-directed approach to their ongoing learning and time management.

Planning and Assessment Processes

This subject provides an introduction to planning principles, processes and practices in Australia. It will review strategic and statutory planning processes in Queensland with particular focus on key planning legislation, plan making and development assessment. The subject will examine planning at different scales from global to local area planning. The subject will provide an overview of strategic land use planning and governance mechanisms for integration of land use and infrastructure. Students will learn to navigate a planning scheme to assist them in their chosen profession/s. Through practical exercises, students will also develop skills in putting together planning applications as well as understanding development assessment processes.

Planning Processes

This subject provides an introduction to the rationale, principles, and processes of urban planning in Australia. It reviews strategic and statutory planning processes with particular focus on the key legislation, plan making and development assessment in Queensland and its relevance to other jurisdictions interstate and internationally. Students will gain a basic understanding of planning schemes and development applications to assist them in their chosen profession/s. The subject introduces community engagement, place making and urban governance as important elements of planning process.

Planning Theory and Ethics

It is important for planners to recognise the theoretical underpinning of their profession. Planning theory provides a useful basis for understanding the rationale for planning as well as for comprehending the links to professional practice. Planners need to also have a strong grasp of professional ethics. The aim of this subject is to examine the theoretical basis for planning, approaches to planning, and link them to professional practice and ethics.

Principles of Project Management

Managing complex projects involves an understanding of the processes, techniques and tools used in the discipline of project management. This subject provides an overview of the discipline by exploring these systematically using the internationally recognised Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) as a foundation. Project integration, scope, time, cost, risk, quality, human resource, communication, procurement, stakeholder and, looking forward, environmental management reflect the generic knowledge areas that combine to support successful project implementation and social responsibility. In this subject a ‘flipped classroom’ delivery strategy is employed, combining weekly online content and peer discussions with a three-day on-campus workshop aimed at linking theory to practice and managing project change. Students demonstrate competency in project integration management in particular by preparing a detailed project plan for an authentic case study with the help of a personal 'coach' to provide individual direction and advice.

Project Finance and Procurement

An examination of how the public and private sectors finance investment in infrastructure projects and public private partnerships. The matters examined include the types of capital (including the principles of corporate and project finance), credit risk analysis and pricing, the cost of capital, credit ratings, taxation, capital structure, capital markets and securitisation. Workshops will feature the initial public offering for the Connect East tollway project and the market performance characteristics of infrastructure as an asset class. External speakers from leading investment banks, credit agencies and portfolio fund managers will contribute to case studies and workshops.

Project Portfolio and Program Management

Program management is the coordinated management of multiple related projects designed to implement strategies and deliver specific benefits, while portfolio management is a process for selection and prioritisation of projects and programs within an organisation. In both cases, considerable strategic awareness and judgement is needed. This subject therefore focuses on the monitoring and control of project or program delivery in the context of communications and stakeholder management and their alignment to organisational goals. In addition, students are exposed to the principles and application of program and portfolio management including project administration, project dashboards, earned value management, and the role that a project or program office can play in assisting control processes. A necessarily practical approach is taken to explore this area. The roles and responsibilities of the various professional associations that guide the future development of the global discipline and bear on personal career development are also examined.

Project Resource Planning

The two most commonly identified critical success factors for projects are an appropriately involved and supportive sponsor and an experienced and people-savvy project manager who understands what it takes to create a performance-focused culture. This subject emphasises the people (soft) skills of project management and the qualities of effective project leadership and communication, including emotional intelligence. These comprise leadership maturity, advocacy, strategic awareness, executive presence and project planning skills. Specific topics explore the interaction between project time and human resource management, such as high performance teams, resource planning and productivity, resource allocation and levelling using industry-leading software, ethical behaviour, positive project-corporate politics, stakeholder engagement, influence and persuasion, the art of negotiation and compromise, and conflict management. The application of 'Agile' project management is also introduced and compared to traditional project planning frameworks.

Regional Planning Policy and Practice

This subject is an advanced Urban Design and Planning project, supported by seminars presented by staff, students, and visiting lecturers and distinguished practitioners. The studio uses South East Queensland and North East NSW as the focus of a practical examination and intervention into regional planning and urban design issues of regional significance, in the light of global growth in coastal city regions and various efforts to plan for this growth. Where possible, planning and design problems peculiar to cross-border regions will be the focus of the studio.

Research Methods in Humanities and Social Sciences

This is a postgraduate research methods class designed for masters students pursuing advanced specialisations in the humanities or social sciences. The subject reviews the purposes for social research, competing paradigms, qualitative and quantitative research designs and tools for analysis, and establishes a foundation for valuable lifelong learning skills.

Research Project

Planning students at the advanced level of study should have ability to carry out independent research. The major aim of this subject is to develop the research capacity of students so that they can conduct independent research on a planning topic of their interest.

Risk Management

Making effective decisions in the context of uncertainty is vital to all aspects of a project's life cycle. This subject explores the link between project scope and risk management with particular emphasis on the implementation (executing) phase of delivery. A comprehensive study of the identification, measurement, pricing and management of risks encountered in delivering large and complex projects is fundamental to the level of project performance. Key topics include: mitigation and contingency planning; dealing with uncertainty; disaster planning and recovery; risk identification, management and communication; change management (including scope change and creep); emergent risks; use and development of risk registers; use of risk software; and organisational risk management systems (including human safety). A novel simulation game is employed to test students ability to exercise good judgement in realistic life and death scenarios. The importance of proper scope definition, change and validation to maximise stakeholder satisfaction are reinforced via case studies.

Spatial Information Systems

This subject introduces, explores and applies fundamental concepts of spatial analysis through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The subject provides hands-on experience in how GIS may be used to analyse, visualise and communicate patterns of complex information. GIS problem-solving challenges and illustrations of proposed solutions are presented to students in natural and built environment contexts. Students learn the application and use of contemporary GIS software in a laboratory environment and engage in real world problem-solving via Australian and international examples.

Strategic Land Use Planning

The subject provides an introduction to strategic land use planning processes with a focus on planning principles, land use development and plan making. The students will gain understanding of land use planning including plan making, implementation of plans at different scales. They will develop knowledge in negotiating and managing land use conflicts. They will gain insights on the land use planning policy and tools, governance and legislation as well as links between land use, infrastructure planning and climate change resilience.

Sustainability Science

This subject examines issues relevant to the sustainable development of coupled human-environment systems and their science and policy dimensions. Topics included are world population growth, the limits to growth, food security, water security, poverty (trickle down or "green new deal"), literacy, and education for sustainability.

Sustainable Communities

Planners need to have a sound understanding of community and social planning to create sustainable and inclusive communities. Community and social planning is the process that seeks to understand the needs of communities and develop strategies for meeting those needs. Active engagement in the community is an important part of building sustainable communities. This subject is intended to provide students with a deeper appreciation of theoretical frameworks as well as tools for community and social planning in order to build sustainable communities.

Sustainable Development and Society

This subject introduces students to the principles, theory and practice of sustainable development and its role in our society. It provides an insight into the key underpinning fundamentals of ecology, natural environment and the built environment before illustrating how they can be put into practice in areas such as the environment, cities and urban development, construction, architecture, property and urban planning.

Urban Design and Place Making

Urban Design brings together the contributions of the various built environment professions in shaping the urban form and enhancing the quality of life of cities and towns. This subject provides an overview of theories, principles, processes and practices of urban design and focuses particularly on the ideas and strategies for place making to create liveable urban environments which are environmentally, economically, socially and culturally sustainable. The students are also introduced to historical evolution of urban design ideas since the 19th century to current thinking and practices.

LAWS13-566: Planning and Development Law

This subject will introduce students to interpreting planning instruments, ascertaining development rights and securing and acting on development approvals.