I'm changing my major to Urban Studies at UC. I haven't transferred to DAAP yet, so I don't know anything about the courses or instructors. Next quarter I want to enroll in a couple Planning Courses. Two that I need and are available are

 

Understanding the Urban Environment with Chifos

Planning Economics with Auffrey

 

If anyone has any advice/tips/insight it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm also looking for some direction whether to do Urban Studies or Urban Planning. Ultimately, I want to go to grad school for Urban Planning. I'm in my 5th year of school and not really into being in school 5 more years because of the co-op requirement for Planning. Any advice on this would also be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

As someone who has experienced DAAP, I would advise you to think about transfering to DAAP, and then think about it some more.  To be successful there, you're going to have to become a person you probably wouldn't want to hang out with, much less be.  It's not a department that promotes individuality, no matter what the appearances may be.

 

Whatever you decide to do, though, best of luck to you!

Take Chris Auffrey's class! I worked with him this past summer, and he is a really nice and very, very smart guy and I assume would be a great professor. 

Both of those classes you listed are extremely easy and should come in as A's if you ask me.  Urban Studies basically has the same curriculum as Urban Planning minus the co-ops and studios.  Co-ops are great, but if you're fine without taking advantage of that then don't worry about it.  As for the studios, I found those to be extremely valuable and ultimately what make the UC Planning experience unique compared to other similar programs across the country.

 

If you go to grad school you can schedule in some elective studios which I would highly recommend and have recommended to every grad student that I have talked to in the past.  It will make you much more well-rounded, give you some real-world experience, and bolster your resume/portfolio.

yea, as a masters in planning student in DAAP, I would highly advise you to do urban studies and get it done with and then load up on studios as a masters student.  I have taken 3 studios so far and hopefully will take one more before my time is up.  They have been by far the best experiences of the program.  You have to take 1 as a masters student, but the rest is up to you.  Pick Urban Design as your focus in the Masters program at UC....if you're thinking of going there for grad. school as well.  The Masters thesis is a bitch though, ha. 

Take Chris Auffrey's class! I worked with him this past summer, and he is a really nice and very, very smart guy and I assume would be a great professor. 

 

I remember his Bill Cosby sweaters.

LOL! Every Christmas my dad will open a box with an ugly sweater in it, and my sister (23) without fail goes "ew that looks like something Bill Cosby would wear" lol