Geography and Planning
Geography and Planning: Introduction
Faculty Affiliation
Arts and Science
Degree Programs
Geography
MA, MSc, and PhD
- Fields:
- Environmental Geography and Resource Management;
- Historical/Social/Cultural Geography;
- Physical Geography and Natural Systems;
- Spatial Information Systems;
- Urban/Economic Geography
Planning
MScPl
- Concentrations:
- Economic Planning and Policy;
- Environmental Planning;
- Social Planning and Policy;
- Transportation Planning and Infrastructure;
- Urban Design;
- Urban Planning and Development
PhD
- Fields:
- Cities in Global Context: Economic Development and Social Planning;
- Environmental and Sustainability Planning;
- Urban Development, Design and the Built Environment
Urban Design Studies
MUDS
Effective August 2020, the Master of Urban Design Studies program is closed.
Collaborative Specializations
The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:
- Community Development
- Geography, MA
- Planning, MScPl
- Contemporary East and Southeast Asian Studies
- Geography, MA
- Planning, MScPl
- Development Policy and Power
- Geography, MA
- Diaspora and Transnational Studies
- Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
- Environmental Studies
- Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
- Planning, MScPl, PhD
- Environment and Health
- Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
- Planning, MScPl, PhD
- Ethnic and Pluralism Studies
- Geography, MA, PhD
- Food Studies
- Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
- Global Health (U of T Global Scholar)
- Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
- Planning, MScPl, PhD
- Indigenous Health
- Geography, MA, PhD
- Jewish Studies
- Geography, PhD
- Sexual Diversity Studies
- Geography, MA, PhD
- South Asian Studies
- Geography, MA, PhD
- Women and Gender Studies
- Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
- Planning, MScPl, PhD
Overview
The Department of Geography and Planning offers facilities for research leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Science in Planning (MScPl), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in either Geography or Planning. The PhD program prepares students for academic careers in teaching and research. Some may also pursue an advanced career in the public or non-profit sectors, given the rising demand outside of academia for people with a PhD credential.
In Geography, faculty conduct research in the following areas: geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, biogeography, pedology, environmental assessment and sustainable natural resource management, international development, industrial innovation, urban and economic geography, cultural and historical geography, gender studies, social geography, regional analysis, the history and philosophy of geography, remote sensing, computer cartography, spatial statistics, topics in land/geographic information systems, and quantitative analysis. The territories of special concern are Canada, the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Northwestern and Central Europe, East Asia, South Asia, and the former Soviet Union.
In Planning, faculty work involves social, economic, cultural, and other vital considerations. In spatial scale, it ranges from the design of individual communities to policy planning at the national level to international development. Planning specializations include land use, transportation, urban design, social policy, public health, economic development, international development, and the environment.
Contact and Address
Web: geography.utoronto.ca
Geography and PhD programs email: graduate.geography@utoronto.ca
MSc Planning program email: wright@geog.utoronto.ca
Geography and PhD programs telephone: (416) 978-3377
MSc Planning program telephone: (416) 946-0269
Fax: (416) 946-3886
Department of Geography and Planning
University of Toronto
Sidney Smith Hall
5th Floor, 100 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3
Canada
Geography and Planning: Graduate Faculty
Full Members
Members Emeriti
Associate Members
Geography and Planning: Geography MA
Master of Arts
Program Description
The MA program offers studies in areas of human geography, including historical/social/cultural geography, urban/economic geography, environmental geography and resource management and some areas of spatial information systems. Applicants should apply to the MA degree program (rather than the MSc) if their planned research contains a substantial human geography component and if two-thirds of their planned coursework comprises Geography courses accepted by the department as social science courses.
MA Program (Thesis Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+ in the final two years.
-
Applicants are expected to have completed at least 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in geography or a related field. Applicants lacking the minimum requirements should consider doing qualifying work at the undergraduate level prior to application. Such work should be undertaken in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Applicants who hold an appropriate bachelor's degree but are changing disciplines or require further preparatory work, may be required to complete an additional year of graduate-level coursework.
Program Requirements
-
Progress into the second session is dependent on achieving an overall B average in the first session and satisfactory progress as outlined in the Graduate Geography Handbook.
-
Students undertake research leading to the preparation of a thesis (RST 9999Y), in conjunction with at least the equivalent of 1.5 FCEs in coursework including:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1105H Human Geography Core Course;
-
0.5 FCE elective course in geography or from an approved list of courses available from the department; and
-
0.5 FCE elective course that may be taken inside or outside the department.
-
Program Length
3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time
Time Limit
3 years full-time;
6 years part-time
MA Program (Research Paper Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+ in the final two years.
-
Applicants are expected to have completed at least 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in geography or a related field. Applicants lacking the minimum requirements should consider doing qualifying work at the undergraduate level prior to application. Such work should be undertaken in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Applicants who hold an appropriate bachelor's degree but are changing disciplines or require further preparatory work, may be required to complete an additional year of graduate-level coursework.
Program Requirements
-
Progress into the second session is dependent on achieving an overall B average in the first session and satisfactory progress as outlined in the Graduate Geography Handbook.
-
Students will undertake research leading to the preparation of a major research paper (GGR 1100Y, 1.0 FCE), in conjunction with the equivalent of 3.0 graduate FCEs in coursework including:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1105H Human Geography Core Course;
-
1.5 FCE elective courses in geography or from an approved list of courses available from the department; and
-
1.0 FCE elective courses, 0.5 FCE of which must be taken outside the department.
-
Program Length
3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time
Time Limit
3 years full-time;
6 years part-time
Geography and Planning: Geography MSc
Master of Science
Program Description
The MSc program offers studies in the areas of physical geography, spatial information systems and some areas of environmental studies. Applicants should apply to the MSc degree program (rather than the MA) if their planned research contains a substantial physical science component and if two-thirds of their planned coursework comprises Geography courses accepted by the department as physical science courses.
MSc Program (Thesis Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+ in the final two years.
-
Applicants are expected to have completed at least 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in geography or a related discipline. Applicants lacking the minimum requirements should consider doing qualifying work at the undergraduate level prior to application. Such work should be undertaken in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Applicants who hold an appropriate bachelor's degree but are changing disciplines or require further preparatory work, may be required to complete an additional year of graduate-level coursework.
Program Requirements
-
Progress into the second session is dependent on achieving an overall B average in the first session and satisfactory progress as outlined in the Graduate Geography Handbook.
-
Students undertake research leading to the preparation of a thesis (RST 9999Y), in conjunction with at least the equivalent of 1.5 FCEs in coursework including:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1200H Physical Geography Core Course;
-
0.5 FCE elective course in geography or from an approved list of courses available from the department; and
-
0.5 FCE elective course that may be taken inside or outside the department.
-
Program Length
3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time
Time Limit
3 years full-time;
6 years part-time
MSc Program (Research Paper Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+ in the final two years.
-
Applicants are expected to have completed at least 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in geography or a related discipline. Applicants lacking the minimum requirements should consider doing qualifying work at the undergraduate level prior to application. Such work should be undertaken in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Applicants who hold an appropriate bachelor's degree but are changing disciplines or require further preparatory work, may be required to complete an additional year of graduate-level coursework.
Program Requirements
-
Progress into the second session is dependent on achieving an overall B average in the first session and satisfactory progress as outlined in the Graduate Geography Handbook.
-
Students will undertake research leading to the preparation of a major research paper (GGR 1100Y; 1.0 FCE), in conjunction with the equivalent of 3.0 graduate FCEs in coursework including:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1200H Physical Geography Core Course;
-
1.5 FCE elective courses in geography or from an approved list of courses available from the department; and
-
1.0 FCE elective courses, 0.5 FCE of which must be taken outside the department.
-
Program Length
3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time
Time Limit
3 years full-time;
6 years part-time
Geography and Planning: Geography PhD Fields: 1) Physical Geography and Natural Systems; 2) Spatial Information Systems
Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The PhD is primarily a research degree. A program of study is designed for each student to ensure competence in a field of research and to facilitate the preparation of a dissertation.
Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of a master’s degree or 2) direct entry after completing a bachelor’s degree.
Fields:
Physical Geography and Natural Systems;
Spatial Information Systems
PhD Program
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate master's degree from a recognized university, with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A–.
Program Requirements
-
Complete a minimum of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in coursework as follows:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1200H Physical Geography Core Course. Students who have taken GGR 1200H at the master's level may take an alternative geography course.;
-
0.5 FCE in geography courses or from a list of approved courses available from the department;
-
0.5 FCE in elective courses which may be taken in any departments.
-
Students who hold an appropriate master's degree but are changing disciplines or require further preparatory work may be required to complete additional coursework.
-
-
Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.
-
Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:
-
A written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam).
-
An oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.
-
-
A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. Failure of the second exam may result in a recommendation for termination from the program.
-
Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for research upon the recommendation of the supervisory committee.
-
Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to the supervisory committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.
-
Unless otherwise specified, two years of residence are required whereby the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in University activities associated with the program.
-
Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.
- See the Graduate Geography Handbook and visit the department's website.
Program Length
4 years
Time Limit
6 years
PhD Program (Direct-Entry)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
In exceptional cases and at the discretion of the department, admission to the PhD program by direct entry may be approved for applicants with an overall A average and an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
Program Requirements
-
Complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1200H Physical Geography Core Course;
-
0.5 FCE in geography courses or from a list of approved courses available from the department;
-
2.0 FCE in elective courses which may be taken in any department.
-
-
Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.
-
Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:
-
A written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam).
-
An oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.
-
-
A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. Failure of the second exam may result in a recommendation for termination from the program.
-
Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for their research upon the recommendation of their supervisory committee.
-
Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to the supervisory committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.
-
Unless otherwise specified, two years of residence are required whereby the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.
-
Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.
- PhD degree program details are fully described in the Graduate Geography Handbook and the department's website.
Program Length
5 years
Time Limit
7 years
Geography and Planning: Geography PhD Fields: 1) Environmental Geography and Resource Management; 2) Historical/Social/Cultural Geography; 3) Urban/Economic Geography
Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The PhD is primarily a research degree. A program of study is designed for each student to ensure competence in a field of research and to facilitate the preparation of a dissertation.
Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of a master’s degree or 2) direct entry after completing a bachelor’s degree.
Fields:
Environmental Geography and Resource Management;
Historical/Social/Cultural Geography;
Urban/Economic Geography
PhD Program
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate master's degree from a recognized university, with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A–.
Program Requirements
-
Complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in coursework including:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1110H Issues in Geographic Thought and Practice.
-
1.0 FCE in geography courses or from a list of approved courses available from the department.
-
At least 0.5 FCE but not more than 1.5 FCE courses in other departments.
-
In exceptional cases, at the discretion of the department, up to 1.0 FCE of graduate courses completed at the master's level at the University of Toronto may be counted towards meeting some course requirements.
-
Students who hold an appropriate master's degree but are changing disciplines or require further preparatory work may be required to complete additional coursework.
-
-
Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.
-
Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:
-
A written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam).
-
An oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.
-
-
A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. Failure of the second exam may result in a recommendation for termination from the program.
-
Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for research upon the recommendation of the supervisory committee.
-
Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to the supervisory committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.
-
Unless otherwise specified, two years of residence are required whereby the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.
-
Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.
- PhD degree program details are fully described in the Graduate Geography Handbook and the department's website.
Program Length
4 years
Time Limit
6 years
PhD Program (Direct-Entry)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
In exceptional cases and at the discretion of the department, admission to the PhD program by direct entry may be approved for applicants with an overall A average and appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
Program Requirements
-
Complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in coursework as follows:
-
0.5 FCE core course GGR 1110H Issues in Geographic Thought and Practice;
-
1.0 FCE in geography courses or from a list of approved courses available from the department;
-
at least 0.5 FCE but no more than 1.5 FCE courses in other departments.
-
-
Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.
-
Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:
-
a written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam), and
-
an oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.
-
-
A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. Failure of the second exam may result in a recommendation for termination from the program.
-
Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for the research upon the recommendation of the supervisory committee.
-
Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to the supervisory committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.
-
Unless otherwise specified, two years of residence are required whereby the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.
-
Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.
- See the Graduate Geography Handbook and visit the department's website.
Program Length
5 years
Time Limit
7 years
Geography and Planning: Geography MA, MSc, PhD Courses
The following graduate courses will be available on demand and subject to faculty resources. Not all courses are given every year, and some members of the graduate faculty are on research leave. Please consult the departmental graduate office. The 2000-level courses are normally open to PhD students only.
Core Courses
GGR 1105H
|
Human Geography Core Course
|
GGR 1110H | Issues in Geographic Thought and Practice |
GGR 1200H
|
Physical Geography Core Course
|
Research Methods Courses
JPG 1111H
|
Social Research Methods |
JPG 1120H | Advanced Qualitative Research: Methodology and Epistemological Foundations for Planning and Geography |
JPG 1140H
|
Discourse Analysis Methodology
|
GGR 1218H | Quantitative, Open-Source Methods in Physical Geography Research |
JPG 1400H | Advanced Quantitative Methods |
Individual Topics Courses
GGR 1149H,Y
|
Readings in Selected Topics
|
GGR 2149H,Y
|
Readings in Selected Topics
|
GGR 2150H,Y
|
Advanced Seminar in Selected Topics
|
JPG 2150H
|
Advanced Seminars in Selected Topics
|
GGR 2151H | Advanced Seminars in Selected Topics II |
JPG 2151H | Advanced Seminars in Selected Topics II |
Environmental and Resource Geography
GGR 1404H
|
Global Warming (exclusion: GGR314H1)
|
GGR 1406H
|
Energy Supply and Use (exclusion: GGR333H1)
|
GGR 1407H
|
Efficient Use of Energy (exclusion: GGR347H1)
|
GGR 1408H
|
Carbon-Free Energy (exclusions: GGR 1406H, GGR348H1)
|
GGR 1411H | Nature and Justice in the Anthropocene |
JGE 1413H
|
Workshop in Environmental Impact Assessment
|
JPG 1419H
|
Aboriginal/Canadian Relations in Environmental and Resource Management
|
GGR 1422H | The Geography of Urban Air Pollution |
JGE 1425H
|
Livelihoods, Poverty, and Environment in the Developing Countries
|
JPG 1426H
|
Natural Resources, Difference, and Conflict
|
JPG 1427H
|
The (Re)Localization of Food Production: Debates and Controversies
|
JPG 1428H | Managing Urban Ecosystems |
JPG 1429H
|
Political Ecology of Food and Agriculture
|
JFG 1610H | Sustainable Forest Management and Certification |
Geographical Information Analysis
JPG 1906H | Geographic Information Systems |
GGR 1911H | Remote Sensing (exclusions: GGR337H1, GGR437H1, GGR 1912H) |
GGR 1912H | Advanced Remote Sensing (exclusions: GGR337H1, GGR437H1, GGR 1911H) |
JPG 1914H | Geographic Information Systems Research Project (exclusion: GGR462H1) |
GGR 1916H | Remote Sensing of Vegetation Traits and Function (exclusion: GGR414H1S) |
GGR 1921H | Land/Geographic Information Systems |
Historical, Social, and Cultural Geography
JPG 1503H
|
Space, Time, Revolution
|
JPG 1506H
|
State/Space/Difference: Understanding the New Social Geography of the State
|
JPG 1511H | The Commons: Geography, Planning, Politics |
JPG 1520H
|
Contested Geographies of Class-Race Formations
|
JPG 1672H
|
Land and Justice
|
GGR 1705H
|
Historical Geographies of Modernity
|
JPG 1706H
|
Violence and Security
|
GGR 1714H
|
Geographies of Citizenship
|
JPG 1804H
|
Space, Power, and Geography: Understanding Spatiality
|
JPG 1805H
|
Transnationalism, Diaspora, and Gender
|
GGR 1806H
|
Feminist Geographies
|
GGR 1807H | Geographies of Postcoloniality and Development: Exploring the ‘Infrastructure Turn’ |
JPG 1809H | Spaces of Work: Value, Identity, Agency, Justice |
GGR 1811H
|
Troubling Militarism: Space, Affect, Economy
|
JPG 1812Y | Planning for Change: Community Development in Practice |
JPG 1813H | Planning and Social Policy |
JPG 1815H
|
Political Economy, the Body, and Health
|
GGR 1816H | Geographies of Secularism, Islam, and Gender |
JPG 1818H | The Geography and Planning of Climate Action and Activism |
GGR 1821H | China Development Seminar |
JPG 1825H | Black Geographies of the Atlantic |
JPG 1830H | Utopia/Dystopia |
Physical Geography
GGR 1202H | Sedimentation and Fluvial Geomorphology (exclusion: GGR301H) |
GGR 1215H | Advanced Watershed Hydroecology (exclusion: GGR413H1) |
GGR 1216H | Advanced Biogeochemical Processes (exclusion: GGR406H1) |
GGR 1217H | The Climate of the Arctic (exclusion: GGR484H1) |
GGR 1302H | Advanced Hydrology and Water Quality (exclusion: GGR407H1) |
GGR 1315H | The Cryosphere (exclusion: GGR317H1) |
Urban and Economic Geography
JPG 1502H | Global Urbanism and Cities of the Global South |
JPG 1504H | Institutionalism and Cities: Space, Governance, Property and Power |
JPG 1507H | Housing Markets and Housing Policy Analysis |
JPG 1512H | Place, Politics, and the Urban |
JPG 1516H | Declining Cities |
JPG 1518H | Sustainability and Urban Communities |
JPG 1525H | Urban, Regional, and Community Economic Development |
JPG 1554H | Transportation and Urban Form |
JPG 1558H | The History and Geography of Cycles and Cycling |
JPG 1605H | The Post-Industrial City |
JPG 1607H | Geography of Competition |
JGE 1609H | Cities, Industry, and the Environment |
GGR 1610H | Geography of Finance and Financial Crisis |
JPG 1615H | Planning and the Social Economy |
JPG 1616H | The Cultural Economy |
JPG 1617H | Organization of Economies and Cities |
JPG 1621H | Innovation and Governance |
JPG 1660H | Regional Dynamics |
JPG 1670H | Regional Economic Analysis |
JPG 1814H | Cities and Immigrants |
Geography and Planning: Planning MScPl
Master of Science in Planning
Program Description
Students normally enrol for two years of full-time study, although part or all of the requirements of the program may be met by part-time study, with the approval of the Program Director.
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university, with a minimum final-year standing in the social or life sciences, the humanities, or the professions, equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+. Knowledge of introductory economics and statistics, as well as word processing and spreadsheet skills, is preferred prior to entry.
Program Requirements
-
The program consists of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) plus the PLA 4444Y internship, taken over two years, as follows:
-
4.0 FCEs in core courses
-
4.0 FCEs chosen from the list of electives and from the offerings of other departments, centres, and institutes. At least 2.5 FCEs of these electives must fit into an approved concentration in one of the following six fields:
-
Economic Planning and Policy
-
Environmental Planning
-
Social Planning and Policy
-
Transportation Planning and Infrastructure
-
Urban Design
-
Urban Planning and Development
-
-
PLA 4444H Internship (0.0 FCE). Students are required to pursue a planning internship between Years 1 and 2 of the program. Part-time students who are currently employed in a planning environment may be exempted from this requirement; however, the Planning Director retains final discretion in the decision.
-
-
Progress into Year 2 of the program is normally dependent upon the achievement of an overall B average in the first year. Equivalent provisions apply to the part-time option.
Program Length
6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
12 sessions part-time
Time Limit
3 years full-time;
6 years part-time
Geography and Planning: Planning PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The PhD is primarily a research degree. A program of study is designed for each student to ensure competence in a field of research and to facilitate the preparation of a dissertation.
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate master's degree in planning or a related field, or its equivalent from a recognized university, with a minimum standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– and demonstrated competence in analytical methods or successful completion of one of two methods courses in the current master's program.
Program Requirements
All PhD students must:
-
Take 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), if they hold a master's degree in planning comparable to the U of T MSc in Planning, as follows:
-
1.5 FCEs in core courses
-
1.5 FCEs in electives (at least 0.5 elective FCE must be outside the Planning program).
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Students who enter with a master's degree in a related field may be required to take up to an additional 1.0 FCE depending on their background and experience.
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Submit a research statement concerning the proposed PhD topic and the scope of the PhD examination by the end of April in Year 1.
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Pass a PhD examination in the general field in which research is being undertaken between June of Year 1 and no later than December of Year 2. The scope and areas of concentration of the exam are to be determined jointly by the supervisory committee and the student. There are two components of the PhD exam:
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a written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room exam on campus in one day or over two days, or a five-day off-campus exam); and
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an oral exam to take place within one week of the written exam.
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A student who fails the PhD examination may retake the exam once within six months. A failure of the second exam may result in recommendation for termination of the student’s program.
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Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for their research upon the recommendation of their committee.
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Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to their research committee, normally by the end of June of Year 2 and no later than September of Year 3.
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Be in residence for two years, unless otherwise specified, during which the student is required to be on campus full-time and consequently in such geographical proximity as to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.
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Complete a thesis embodying the results of original investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the approved topic from a major area of study. The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be conducted while the student is registered in the PhD program.
- PhD degree program details are fully described in the Graduate Geography Handbook and the department's website.
Program Length
4 years full-time
Time Limit
6 years full-time
Geography and Planning: Planning MScPl, PhD Courses
All courses are not given every year; some faculty members may be on research leave. Please consult the departmental graduate office for details.
Core Courses for the MScPl
PLA 1101H
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Planning History, Thought, and Practice
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PLA 1102H
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Planning Decision Methods I
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PLA 1103H
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Legal Basis of Planning
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PLA 1105H
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Planning Decision Methods II
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PLA 1106H
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Workshop in Planning Practice
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PLA 1107Y
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Current Issues Paper
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PLA 1520H
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Project Management and Conflict Resolution for Planners
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Core Courses for the PhD in Planning
JPG 1111H
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Social Research Methods (or a methods course in a related department subject to the approval of the supervisor)
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PLA 2000H
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Advanced Planning Theory
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PLA 2001H
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Planning Colloquium (Credit/No Credit)
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Elective Courses
JPG 1120H
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Advanced Qualitative Research: Methodology and Epistemological Foundations for Planning and Geography
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JPG 1140H
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Discourse Analysis Methodology
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PLA 1149H
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Independent Study
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JPG 1400H
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Advanced Quantitative Methods
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JPG 1407H
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Efficient Use of Energy
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JGE 1413H
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Workshop in Environmental Impact Assessment
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JPG 1416H
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Environmental Consequences of Land Use Change
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JPG 1418H
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Rural Land Use Planning
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JPG 1419H
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Aboriginal/Canadian Relations in Environmental and Resource Management
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JGE 1420H
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Urban Waste Management: an International Perspective
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JPG 1426H
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Natural Resources, Difference, and Conflict
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JPG 1427H
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The (Re)Localization of Food Production: Debates and Controversies
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JPG 1428H
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Managing Urban Ecosystems
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JPG 1429H
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Political Ecology of Food and Agriculture
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JPG 1502H
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Global Urbanism and Cities of the Global South
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JPG 1503H
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Space, Time, Revolution
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JPG 1504H
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Institutionalism and Cities: Space, Governance, Property, and Power
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JPG 1506H
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State/Space/Difference: Understanding the New Social Geography of the State
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JPG 1507H
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Housing Markets and Housing Policy Analysis
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PLA 1510H
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Special Topics in Planning
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JPG 1511H
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The Commons: Geography, Planning, Politics
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JPG 1512H
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Place, Politics, and the Urban
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PLA 1514H
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The Role of the Planner
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JPG 1516H
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Declining Cities
|
PLA 1516H
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Special Topics in Planning II
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PLA 1517H
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Special Topics in Planning III
|
JPG 1518H
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Sustainability and Urban Communities
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PLA 1518H
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City Building—Practice and Experience in Toronto and Other World Cities
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PLA 1519H
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Planning and Governance
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JPG 1520H | Contested Geographies of Class-Race Formations |
PLA 1520H
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Project Management and Conflict Resolution for Planners
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JPG 1525H | Urban, Regional, and Community Economic Development |
PLA 1551H
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Policy Analysis
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PLA 1552H
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City Planning and Management
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JPG 1554H
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Transportation and Urban Form
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JPG 1558H
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The History and Geography of Cycles and Cycling
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PLA 1601H
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Climate Change and Resilience: Planning and Policy
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JPG 1605H
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The Post-Industrial City
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JPG 1607H
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Geography of Competition
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JPG 1615H
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Planning and the Social Economy
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JPG 1616H
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The Cultural Economy
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JPG 1617H
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Organization of Economies and Cities
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JPG 1621H | Innovation and Governance |
PLA 1650H
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Urban Design: History Theory Criticism
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PLA 1651H
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Planning and Real Estate Development
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PLA 1652H
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Introductory Studio in Urban Design and Planning
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PLA 1653H
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Advanced Studio in Urban Design and Planning
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PLA 1654H
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Urban Design Research Methods
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PLA 1655H
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Urban Design and Development Controls
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PLA 1656H
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Land Use Planning: Principles and Practice
|
JPG 1660H
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Regional Dynamics
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JPG 1670H
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Regional Economic Analysis
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JPG 1672H
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Land and Justice
|
PLA 1702H
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Pedestrians, Streets, and Public Space
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PLA 1703H
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Transportation Planning and Infrastructure
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JPG 1706H
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Violence and Security
|
PLA 1751H
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Public Finance for Planners
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PLA 1801H
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Urban Infrastructure Planning
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JPG 1804H
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Space, Power, and Geography: Understanding Spatiality
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JPG 1805H
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Transnationalism, Diaspora, and Gender
|
GGR 1807H
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Geographies of Postcoloniality and Development: Exploring the ‘Infrastructure Turn’
|
JPG 1809H
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Spaces of Work: Value, Identity, Agency, Justice
|
JPG 1810H
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Globalization and Postmodernism
|
JPG 1812Y
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Planning for Change: Community Development in Practice
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JPG 1813H
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Planning and Social Policy
|
JPG 1814H
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Cities and Immigrants
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JPG 1818H | The Geography and Planning of Climate Action and Activism |
JPG 1825H | Black Geographies of the Atlantic |
JPG 1830H | Utopia/Dystopia |
JPG 1906H
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Geographic Information Systems
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JPG 1909H
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Social Survey Methods
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JPG 1914H
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Geographic Information Systems Research Project (exclusion: GGR462H1)
|
JPG 2150H
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Advanced Seminars in Selected Topics
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JPG 2151H
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Advanced Seminars in Selected Topics II
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PLA 4444H
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Internship (Credit/No Credit) (Designates the internship to be undertaken by master’s students in the Planning Program. It cannot be used to fulfil other course requirements for the degree.)
|
Geography and Planning: Urban Design Studies MUDS
Master of Urban Design Studies
Effective August 2020, this program is closed.
Students are admitted via one of three routes: 1) with a master's degree in a professional field; 2) with a bachelor's degree (four- or five-year) in planning, architecture, or landscape architecture; 3) with a bachelor's degree (four- or five-year) in any discipline plus evidence of significant professional experience.
The Master of Urban Design Studies program can be completed on a full-time basis only.
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Geography and Planning's additional admission requirements stated below.
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Applicants with prior degrees in a range of disciplines including planning, geography, other social sciences, the design disciplines, business administration, and law are encouraged to apply. Students are admitted via one of three routes:
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Master's degree in a professional field such as planning, architecture, landscape architecture, business administration, and law; an average equivalent to at least at University of Toronto B+ in graduate studies is required.
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Bachelor's degree (four- or five-year) in planning, architecture, or landscape architecture, with a strong design orientation; an average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+ (or upper second class) in the final year is required.
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Bachelor's degree (four- or five-year) in any discipline plus evidence of significant professional experience (normally at least five years) in an area related to urban design and planning; an average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+ in the final year of the undergraduate program is required.
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Program Requirements
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Students entering with significant prior design workshop/studio experience (as determined by the admissions committee) must complete a core program of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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2.5 FCEs
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1.5 FCEs chosen from electives given within the Program in Planning; the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design; and from the offerings of other graduate units.
-
-
Students entering without significant prior design workshop/studio experience must complete 5.5 FCEs as follows:
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2.5 FCEs
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2.5 FCEs chosen from electives given within the Program in Planning; the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design; and from the offerings of other graduate units.
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PLA 1652H Introductory Studio in Urban Design and Planning
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Program Length
3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)
Time Limit
3 years full-time
Geography and Planning: Urban Design Studies MUDS Courses
Effective August 2020, this program is closed.
Core Courses
The core program is composed of five half-course equivalents (six half-course equivalents for those entering the program without significant prior design workshop/studio experience) that encompass the practical, theoretical, and methodological aspects of urban design.
Course sequence for the core program:
First Session
PLA 1650H / URD 1031H
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Urban Design: History Theory Criticism
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PLA 1652H
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Introductory Studio in Urban Design and Planning
(students without significant design workshop/studio experience must take PLA 1652H) |
PLA 1654H
|
Urban Design Research Methods
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Plus one half-course elective, or two half-course electives if the student is exempted from PLA 1652H.
Second Session
PLA 1653Y
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Advanced Studio in Urban Design and Planning
|
PLA 1655H
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Urban Design and Development
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Plus one half-course elective.
Electives
Elective courses may be chosen from the following:
JPG 1512H
|
Place, Politics, and the Urban
|
JPG 1554H
|
Transportation and Urban Form
|
JPG 1615H
|
Planning and the Social Economy
|
PLA 1651H
|
Planning and Real Estate Development
|
JPG 1804H
|
Space, Power, and Geography: Understanding Spatiality
|
JPG 1914H
|
Spatial Information Systems
|
URD 1012H
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Urban Design Studio Options
|
URD 1021H
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Urban Design Computation
|
URD 1032H
|
Urban Design in the History of the Post-Industrial World
|
URD 2041H
|
Business and Land Use Planning in Real Estate Development
|
JPG 2150H
|
Advanced Seminars in Selected Topics
|
MUDS students may also select other electives, subject to the approval of the Director, Program in Planning, and the Coordinator of the MUDS program. Courses with a URD designation are offered through the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.