Knowledge Media Design

Lead Faculty

Information

Participating Degree Programs

Architecture—MArch
Computer Science—MSc, PhD
Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development—MA, MEd, PhD
Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies—MA, PhD
Information—MI
Information Studies—PhD
Landscape Architecture—MLA
Language and Literacies Education—MA, MEd, PhD
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering—MASc, MEng, PhD
Medical Science—MSc, PhD
Museum Studies—MMSt
Religion—MA, PhD
Urban Design—MUD

Overview

The Collaborative Specialization in Knowledge Media Design (KMD) was launched in 2002 as the teaching arm of the Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI). KMD provides a specialization for graduate students from a variety of academic backgrounds to engage in the design, prototyping, evaluation, and use of knowledge media. In keeping with KMDI's human-centred approach, students explore the design and use of new media in the context of real-world practices of individuals and communities. Access to an intensely collaborative and cross-disciplinary faculty encourages students to take a broader view of technological and social change and to be constructively critical of technological utopian and dystopian visions alike. The goal is for students to take into account heritage and history, to understand the realities of today, and to design for tomorrow.

Students have access to a community of scholars and the network of relationships that the institute coordinates. They gain first-hand experience of a living network of innovation, an environment in which the resources are people and knowledge, and the social capital and value that are generated through collaboration.

The collaborative specialization is open to master's and PhD students in the collaborating graduate programs listed above. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of the participating home department and the collaborative specialization, students receive the notation “Completed Collaborative Specialization in Knowledge Media Design” on their transcript and parchment.

Contact and Address

Web: www.kmdi.utoronto.ca
Email: program@kmdi.utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-5634

Collaborative Specialization in Knowledge Media Design
Knowledge Media Design Institute
University of Toronto
Robarts Library, Rooms 1153 and 1155
130 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A5
Canada

Mailing address:
Faculty of Information
Knowledge Media Design Institute
University of Toronto
140 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 3G6
Canada

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to apply to the collaborative specialization must be enrolled, or anticipate being enrolled, in a collaborating degree program. Or they may apply directly to KMDI.
The application includes: a completed application form, a statement of research interest, a resumé, two letters of reference, and academic transcripts. Consult the KMDI website for application guidelines. Admission will be subject to the approval of the graduate department concerned and the collaborative specialization committee.
Alternatively, students can apply to the collaborative specialization through an expression of interest as part of the application to their home unit.

Specialization Requirements

Students must meet all the requirements of their home department.
Students must successfully complete:
- KMD 1001H and
- 0.5 full-course equivalent (FCE), consisting of either KMD 1002H, a KMD 2001 to 2004 series course, or a recognized affiliate course listed on the KMDI website. Courses are subject to availability.
Students must attend two KMDI Speaker Series Lectures. Attendance will be monitored and appear on the transcript as KMD 2100Y. This course is assigned as Credit/No Credit.
Students must submit a portfolio that includes completed student research in knowledge media design. The collaborative specialization committee will review all portfolios for their quality and contribution to the field.
Students are encouraged, but not obligated, to complete a thesis/research project component in their home department, the topic of which should be relevant to the field of knowledge media design. Students' portfolio will be a component of their thesis/research project.
Collaborative specialization courses may count towards the home department degree requirements or may be in addition to the degree requirements, depending on the participating department's program regulations.

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to apply to the collaborative specialization must be enrolled, or anticipate being enrolled, in a collaborating degree program. Or they may apply directly to KMDI.
The application includes: a completed application form, a statement of research interest, a resumé, two letters of reference, and academic transcripts. Consult the KMDI website for application guidelines. Admission will be subject to the approval of the graduate department concerned and the collaborative specialization committee.
Alternatively, students can apply to the collaborative specialization through an expression of interest as part of the application to their home unit.

Specialization Requirements

Students must successfully complete:
- KMD 1001H and KMD 1002H if not already taken in the master's program, and
- 0.5 full-course equivalent (FCE) from the KMD 2001 to 2004 series or a list of recognized affiliate courses.

Students must submit a portfolio that includes completed student research in knowledge media design. The collaborative specialization committee will review all portfolios for their quality and contribution to the field.
Students must attend four KMDI Speaker Series Lectures. Attendance will be monitored and appear on the transcript as KMD 2200Y. The course is assigned as Credit/No Credit.
The dissertation topic must be in the field of knowledge media design. The thesis advisor and at least one other committee member must be from participating units. Students' portfolio will most often be connected with their dissertation proposal. Specific details about the portfolio requirements are outlined on the KMDI website.
The home graduate unit and the student's supervising committee will determine further requirements. The collaborating units cooperate in jointly developing a program that is tailored to meet the needs of each student.

For courses offered in a particular year, check the KMD program website.