The Masters of Science in Tourism Development is a mixed-mode program offered at full time and part-time basis.  To graduate, candidates are expected to gain a total of 44 units, where 22 units are taught courses and workshops.  Candidates are also required to undertake a supervised research focusing on selected tourism issues.

The main objective of this program is to enhance understanding of the tourism sector that comprises industries like transportation, accommodation, services and hospitality and many more.  This program focuses on the planning and development aspects of tourism, at both macro and micro levels.  It targets those with interests in tourism, professionals in the related fields and policy makers.

The program maintains the integrated approach by assembling academics of various fields in the built environment sphere specialized in tourism planning, urban and regional planning, conservation, architecture and project management.

These programmes give insights into the world of tourism, focusing on the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of the sector.   They include courses on tourism policy, planning, development, infrastructure, services and businesses.

 

Candidates should hold a good first degree:

Either     (a)     BSc (Hons) Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Or          (b)    Honours degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia or other approved universities

in related areas such as in:

-   Social Science

-   Management

-   Planning

-   Geography

-   Humanities, etc.

 

Or          (c)      Other academic or professional qualifications accepted by USM.

 

1.2. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN CANDIDATES

English language requirements for foreign candidates are the equavalent of TOEFL 550 or IELTS 6.0  

It is also compulsory for  foreign candidates to take and pass  the Malay Language 1 (Bahasa Malaysia 1) course, LKM 100, during their studies.  The passing grade is C.  

 

The program consists of the following courses:-

Code and Course Title	Unit
A.  Theory Courses   RTK   531   -   Tourism Planning and Development RTK   532   -   Tourism Policy and Organisation RTK   533   -   The Design of Tourism & Recreational Projects RTK   534   -   Sustainable Tourism Development RTK   535   -   Research Methods and Techniques RTK   536   -   Infrastructure and Tourism Services RTK   537   -   The Business and Economy of Tourism   B.   Workshops RTK   538   -   Tourism Workshop   C.       Research RTK   571   -   Research Project in Tourism	3 3 3 3 3 3 2     2     22
Total	44

 

The Master of Science in Tourism Development offers full-time and part-time mixed mode programmes.  The full-time programme covers one academic session (2 semesters) while the part-time programmes covers two academic calendars of 4 semesters.

 

Duration study are as  below:

Mode	Minimum	Duration
Full-time	1 year  (2 semesters)	2 years  (4 semesters)
Part-time	2 years  (4 semesters)	3 years  (6 semesters)

Courses are conducted through lectures, tutorials, discussions, seminars, case studies and assignments. The language of instruction is English for intake with foreign students or otherwise in Bahasa Malaysia.

 

All courses are assessed by assignments and examination at the end of every semester. For research projects, students are expected to submit a  thesis and attend a viva session.

The MSc in Tourism Development degree is conferred to candidates who have accumulated not less than 44 units.

 

5. COURSE  SYNOPSIS

5.1. RTK 531/3 - Tourism Planning and Development

This module introduces basic planning principles and tourism development and emphasizes on theories and fundamentals in tourism system, its history and development globally and in Malaysia, in particular.  The potential of tourism sector and the prospects of tourism graduates in career development will also be covered, in addition to consumer behavior, tourism image and impact, current trends and future direction of tourism development. Discussion also focuses on positioning of tourism product, tourism development process, basic principles of tourism, tourism development strategies at national, regional, state and local levels.  Students will also be exposed to project planning that covers primary components of development such as planning process and evaluation, project monitoring and management, cost-benefit analysis, law, physical, organizational, social, economic and traffic impact studies.

 

5.2. RTK 532/3 - Tourism Policy and Organization

This course focuses its discussion on tourism policy, law, strategy and master plan as well as organizational planning and development, tourism management at federal, state and local levels.  The roles, functions and relationship of public and private sector in tourism are discussed in greater depths, and power conflict between these two sectors is also covered.  Special attention will also be given to monitoring trends and control mechanisms that have been implemented by the government in tourism sector particularly towards tourist’s safety and security, infrastructure maintenance, quality of services and consumer satisfaction.

 

5.3. RTK 533/3  - The Design of Tourism and Recreational Projects

Attention is given on process and analysis of physical design and workforce’s expertise based on local design concept.  Discussion is centered on concept, principle, site-analysis and operational design of tourism and recreational projects including event development.  It is essential for design evaluation and analysis to be sustainable in order to attract tourist interest by taking into consideration several factors such as land area, population density, etc.  Project design of several tourism projects such as recreation in forested areas, jetty, home stay villages will be highlighted as examples.  Students are expected to produce innovative ideas and design of tourism product through critical evaluation and discussion.

 

5.4. RTK 534/3 - Sustainable Tourism Development

Tourism development generates economic benefits, business and employment opportunities to people as well as increases national revenue through taxation and foreign exchange.  A good understanding of the principles, issues and approaches to tourism development based on sustainable concept is required in order to safeguard the interest of tourism sector in future such as ecotourism, heritage tourism and culture tourism, although tourism is often associated with negative side effects – environmental, social, economic and political.  The impacts of tourism at global, national and regional levels will be covered with special emphasis on analysis technique, impact measurement, and carrying capacity as an effective indicator to control tourism impacts.

 

5.5. RTK 535/3 - Research Methods and Techniques

Students will be exposed to scientific research elements and processes that cover data collection and analysis methods and research report preparation.  Research elements include concept, hypothesis and theory.  Measurement level: nominal, ordinal, alternative and ratio.  Data collection: data sources; primary and secondary.  Library  research.  Data collection methods: census and survey.  Sampling: design and procedure.  Field work: planning, interview and difficulty.  Data analysis: descriptive statistical technique.  Inferential statistical technique: parametric and non-parametric.  Computer usage: SAS, SPSS and other software.  This course not only allows students to design and undertake research projects in tourism, but also expands their critical view towards research methods.

5.6. RTK 536/3 - Infrastructure and Tourism Services

This course focuses on planning and design methods and implementation of physical infrastructure that contributes to development of tourism facilities at micro and macro levels.  Effective government involvement and quality of infrastructure maintenance are given special attention. The management of infrastructure offers tourism services that include training and market-oriented jobs. Transportation, drainage system, public facility, utility, recreation, landscape, architecture and environment are among important infrastructure.  Discussion is also centered on development of tourism facility and services particularly accommodation, resort, park and other tourism products.

 

5.7. RTK 537/2 - The Business and Economy of Tourism

Aspects of tourism management are considered such as marketing, influence and delivery techniques, promotion and finance.  An evaluation of the main components of the economy is essential to identify sources of finance, expenditure and contribution of tourism sector to the national revenue.  Approaches to marketing are important in order to effectively market tourism products.

 

5.8. RTK 538/2 - Tourism Workshop

This tourism workshop is studio-based and discusses national contemporary issues in tourism.  Visiting scholars and panel from public and private sector will be invited to give talks.  Based on themes and case studies, students are required to analyse relevant issues and present them in seminars.  These seminars will be attended and evaluated by practitioners from public and private sector.

 

5.9. RTK 571/22 - Research Projects in Tourism

Students are expected to initiate this course by putting forward tourism/recreation related topics, which will be referred to suitable lecturers.  Each student needs to suggest a suitable research topic, methodology, scope and feasibility of study to an advisory panel.  The panel will give its feedbacks, and an advising lecturer will administer student’s research progress.  A committee of lecturers will evaluate the final report at the end of the course, and students are required to defend their thesis during viva session.