The Department of Real Estate

MSRE Major Elective Courses (Description)

Elective Courses

  • ECO 550 Regional and Urban Economics - back to overview   
    The course investigates the spatial character of an economic system. The first part of the course is concerned with theories in regional economics, including business and household location theory, urbanization, and regional development. The latter part of the course deals with urban economics, a specialized area concerned with the economic forces behind many urban problems. Topics include the economics of housing, transportation, poverty, crime and urban public finance. PREREQUISITE: ECO 505 or 555.
  • MKT 529 Precision Marketing - back to overview   
    Geodemographic systems such as Claritas and Spectra combine publicly available demographic data with commercial databases and mapping software. These tools, enable marketers to pinpoint target markets and create effective strategies for a variety of marketing activities. Course topics include identification of a geodemographic target market, and the use of geodemographic data for advertising and promotion, retail site selection, cross-selling opportunities and other strategic decisions. PREREQUISITE: MKT 555.
  • MPS 571 Metropolitan Planning - back to overview   
    Analyzes issues, decision-making processes, and resources that affect planning across a metropolitan area, including urban-suburban relations and the complexities of zoning and community development.
  • MPS 573 Urban and Community Analysis - back to overview   
    Discussion of urban issues, including social area analysis, neighborhood change, land use, and other selected topics. Cross-listed as SOC 422. 
  • RE 596* Real Estate Seminar - back to overview   
    The objectives of this course are to identify current, researchable topics pertaining to real estate and for students to perform independent research on selected topics approved by the seminar professor.  Meetings will be held on both a class and on an individual basis.  Students will present both their proposals and the results of their preliminary investigations in class.  A seminar research paper is required of each student.

    Topics vary from quarter to quarter.  Previous topics have included: The Culture of Space and Place; Brownfield Development and Public Safety; Modern Architecture and Development; Green and Sustainable Real Estate.  Because of the different topics, students are permitted to take this course numerous times.
  • RE 798* Special Topics in Real Estate - back to overview   
    Content and format of this couse are variable. In-depth study of current issues in real estate.

    Topics vary from quarter to quarter.  Previous topics have included: Design and Development of Senior Housing; Design and Development of Affordable Housing; Retail and Mixed Use Development; Commercial Real Estate Negotiation.  Because of the different topics, students are permitted to take this course numerous times.
  • SOC 420 Urban Sociology - back to overview   
    Introduction to advanced level studies in applied urban sociology: contemporary urban theory, research, and policy issues.
  • SOC 421 Urban Anthropology - back to overview   
    Theories and methods of contemporary anthropology are employed to analyze a variety of topics of urban phenomena including the process of urbanization, urbanism-urban culture, subcultures, ethnic life styles and the notion of images of cities.
  • SOC 424 Sociology of Housing - back to overview   
    An in-depth approach to study of a major component of urban life with a focus on federal and local policies, programs, and issues.

   ****Students with sufficient background may also enroll in the following Law School courses with permission of the Real Estate Center Director. These courses are taught on a semester basis.

  • LAW 420 Real Estate Transactions - back to overview   
    Explores the basic concepts and documents involved in the inter vivos transfer, financing, development and use of real property.  Topics coved include: brokers' agreements, condominiums, title assurance, land trusts and closings. PREREQUISITE: LAW 160.
  • LAW 444 Environmental Law - back to overview   
    A survey of federal and state remedies for the protection of the environment.
  • LAW 459 Real Estate Finance and Commercial Development - back to overview   
    This course addresses legal and economic issues relevant to commercial real estate development and investment, including acquisition, financing, leasing ownership structures and tax considerations. PREREQUISITE: LAW 160 and 420.
  • LAW 487 Housing Law - back to overview   
    An examination of local and federal laws and policies aimed at creating and preserving housing, low-income and affordable housing, both rental and owner-occupied.  Includes consideration of housing-related litigation and issues related to subsidized housing, landlord-tenant court, fair housing, and predatory mortgage lending.
  • LAW 488 Land Use Planning Law - back to overview   
    An analysis of the various legal devices by which private individuals and the public attempt to control the use of land resources. Such topics as private covenants, zoning and the master plan, eminent domain and urban subdivision controls are explored. PREREQUISITE: LAW 160.

Click to view upcoming information sessions.

*Course designation has changed from FIN to RE. Effective fall quarter 2009.