Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
2014-15 SGS Calendar
Geography
Faculty Affiliation
Arts and Science
Degree Programs Offered
Geography—MA, MSc, PhD
Fields:
 Urban/Economic Geography
 Physical Geography and Natural Systems
 Environmental Geography and Resource Management
 Historical, Social, and Cultural Geography
 Spatial Information Systems
Planning—MScPl, PhD
Fields (MScPl):
 Urban Planning and Development
 Environmental Planning
 Social Planning and Policy
 Economic Planning and Policy
 Urban Design
Fields (PhD):
 Cities in Global Context: Economic Development and
Social Planning
 Environmental and Sustainability Planning
 Urban Development, Design, and the Built Environment
Urban Design Studies—MUDS
Collaborative Programs
The following collaborative programs are available to
students in participating degree programs as listed below:
1. Aboriginal Health
 Geography, MA, PhD
2. Asia-Pacific Studies
 Geography, MA
 Planning, MScPl
3. Community Development
 Geography, MA
 Planning, MScPl
4. Diaspora and Transnational Studies
 Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
5. Environment and Health
 Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
 Planning, MScPl, PhD
6. Environmental Studies
 Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
 Planning, MScPl, PhD
1
Geography
7. Ethnic and Pluralism Studies
 Geography, MA, PhD
8. Global Health
 Geography, PhD
 Planning, PhD
9. Jewish Studies
 Geography, PhD
10. Sexual Diversity Studies
 Geography, MA, PhD
11. South Asian Studies
 Geography, MA, PhD
12. Women and Gender Studies
 Geography, MA, MSc, PhD
 Planning, MScPl, PhD
Overview
The Department of Geography, which includes the
program in 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.
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
Contact and Address
Web: www.geography.utoronto.ca
Email:
Geography and PhD programs:
geograd@geog.utoronto.ca
MSc Planning and MUDS programs:
planning.msc@geog.utoronto.ca
Telephone:
Geography and PhD programs: (416) 978-3377
MSc Planning and MUDS programs:(416) 946-0269
Fax: (416) 946-3886
Department of Geography and Program in Planning
University of Toronto
Sidney Smith Hall
5th Floor, 100 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3
Canada
Degree Programs
Geography
Master of Arts and Master of Science
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 Program in
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
 Two geography programs and various collaborative
programs are available; selection is made with the
approval of the department. Within most of these
programs, students may receive a master of science
degree if their research contains a substantial physical
science component and if two-thirds of their coursework
comprises Geography courses accepted by the
department as physical science courses.
2
Geography
 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.
 Option I: Thesis. 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 the core course (0.5 FCE in GGR
1105H for MA students, GGR 1200H for MSc students),
0.5 FCE elective in geography or from an approved list
of courses available from the department, and an
additional 0.5 FCE in elective courses that may be taken
inside or outside the department.
 Option II: Research Paper. Students will undertake
research leading to the preparation of a major research
paper (GGR 1100Y), in conjunction with the equivalent
of 3.0 graduate FCEs in coursework including the core
course (0.5 FCE in GGR 1105H for MA students, GGR
1200H for MSc students), 1.5 FCE elective courses in
geography or from an approved list of courses available
from the department, and an additional 1.0 FCE elective
courses, 0.5 FCE of which must be taken outside the
department.
 Environmental Studies Research Paper
(Collaborative MA/MSc Program): 2.5 FCEs, of which
1.5 FCEs must be taken in the Department of
Geography (including the core course) and 1.0 at the
School of the Environment (0.5 FCE must be the CFE
core course). Students are also required to undergo a
three-month internship and to prepare and defend a
research paper (GGR 1100Y). The program is normally
completed in 12 months. See the Environmental Studies
(collaborative program) entry in this calendar.
 Environmental Studies Thesis (Collaborative
MA/MSc Program): 2.0 FCEs, of which 1.0 FCE must
be taken in the Department of Geography (including the
core course) and 1.0 FCE at the School of the
Environment. Students are also required to prepare and
defend a thesis. See the Environmental Studies
(collaborative program) entry in this calendar.
 Asia-Pacific Studies Thesis (Collaborative MA
Program): 2.0 FCEs, of which 1.0 FCE must be taken in
the Department of Geography (including the core
course) and 1.0 FCE at Asia Pacific Studies. Students
are also required to prepare and defend a thesis.
 Ethnic and Pluralism Studies Thesis (Collaborative
MA Program): 2.0 FCEs, of which 1.0 FCE must be
taken in the Department of Geography, which includes
the core course GGR 1105H and 0.5 FCE on a topic in
ethnicity. Students are also required to complete the
Ethnic and Pluralism Studies core course and an
additional 0.5 FCE course on a topic in ethnicity from
outside of geography. Students are also required to
prepare and defend a thesis.
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
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
Doctor of Philosophy
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 Program in
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-. 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
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.
All PhD students must:
 Complete a minimum of 2.0 FCEs in coursework and,
depending on the field of specialization, up to an
additional 1.0 FCE. Students who enter the PhD
program from a bachelor's degree must complete 1.5
FCEs in addition to the minimum requirement of 2.0
FCEs. Students who hold an appropriate master's
degree but are changing disciplines or require further
preparatory work may be required to complete additional
coursework. Coursework requirements for each
specialization are detailed below:
o Physical Geography and Natural Systems and Spatial
Information Systems fields of specialization: 2.0 FCEs,
including the 0.5 FCE core course GGR 1200H, 0.5
FCE in geography courses or from a list of approved
courses available from the department, and an
additional 1.0 FCE in elective courses, at least 0.5
FCE of which must be taken in other departments.
Students who have taken the core course (GGR
1200H) at the master's level may take an alternative
geography course.
o Environmental Geography/Resource Management,
Urban/Economic Geography, Historical/Social/Cultural
Geography: 3.0 FCEs, including the 0.5 FCE core
course GGR 1110H, 1.0 FCE in geography courses or
from a list of approved courses available from the
3
Geography
department, and at least 0.5 FCE but no more than 1.5
FCE courses in other departments.
o In exceptional cases, at the discretion of the
department, graduate courses completed at the
master's level at the University of Toronto may be
counted towards meeting some course requirements.
However, all PhD students must complete a minimum
of 2.0 FCEs after entering the PhD program.
 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 October 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:
1. a written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room
exam, a five-day off-campus exam, or a 15-day offcampus exam), and
2. 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. A failure of the second
exam may result in a recommendation for termination of
the student’s program.
 Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for
their research upon the recommendation of their
committee.
 Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to their
research committee, normally by the end of the first
session (December) in Year 2 and no later than
February of Year 2.
 Unless otherwise specified, two years of residence are
required, 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.
 Complete a thesis embodying the results of original
investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the
approved topic from a major field. 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 requirements are fully described in
the Graduate Geography Handbook and the department's
website.
Program Length
4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry
Time Limit
6 years full-time; 7 years direct-entry
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
Course List
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
JPG 1404H
Issues in Global Warming
JPG 1406H
Sustainable Building Energy Use and
Supply
JPG 1407H
Efficient Use of Energy
JPG 1408H
Carbon-Free Energy
JPG 1410H
Institutional and Organizational Ecology
JGE 1413H
Workshop in Environmental Impact
Assessment
GGR 1105H
Human Geography Core Course
GGR 1200H
Physical Geography Core Course
GGR 1110H
Issues in Geographic Thought and
Practice
JPG 1415H
Global Environmental Justice and
Social Movements
JPG 1111H
Research Design
JPG 1416H
Environmental Consequences of Land
Use Change
JPG 1418H
Rural Land Use Planning
JPG 1419H
Aboriginal/Canadian Relations in
Environmental and Resource
Management
JGE 1420H
Urban Waste Management: an
International Perspective
JPG 1421H
Health in Urban Environments
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
Physical Geography
GGR 1202H
Sedimentation and Fluvial
Geomorphology
GGR 1211H
The Global Carbon Cycle: From
Rubisco to the Earth's Mantle
JPG 1423H
Political Ecology of the Global Agrifood
System
JGE 1212H
Fate of Contaminants in the
Environment
JPG 1424H
Comparative Farming Systems
JGE 1425H
GGR 1214H
Global Ecology and Biogeochemical
Cycles
Livelihoods, Poverty and Environment
in the Developing Countries
GGR 1215H
Advanced Watershed Hydroecology
JPG 1501H
The Political Economy of Cities
GGR 1216H
Advanced Biogeochemical
Processes
JPG 1502H
Global Urbanism and Cities of the
Global South
GGR 1302H
Advanced Hydrology and Water
Quality
JPG 1507H
Housing Markets and Housing Policy
Analysis
GGR 1303H
Paleoecology and Paleoclimatology
JPG 1508H
GGR 1305H
Biogeography
Planning for the Urban Poor in
Developing Countries
GGR 1306H
Field Experimental Techniques in
Hydroclimatology
JPG 1509H
Feminism, Postcoloniality and
Development
JPG 1510H
Recent Debates on Urban Form
Environmental and Resource Geography
Urban and Economic Geography
JPG 1402H
Environment and Development
JPG 1512H
Place, Politics and the Urban
JPG 1403H
Political Ecology of African
Environments
JPG 1514H
The Role of the Planner: Making a
Difference
4
Geography
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
JPG 1516H
Declining Cities
JPG 1518H
Sustainability and Urban Communities
JPG 1554H
Transportation and Urban Form
JPG 1556H
Transportation Systems Analysis: An
Exploration of Concepts, Methods,
Applications, and Emerging Issues
JPG 1558H
Transportation: Historical and
Geographical Perspectives
JPG 1607H
Geography of Competition
JGE 1609H
Cities, Industry and the Environment
GGR 1610H
Geography of Finance and Financial
Crisis
JPG 1614H
Regional Development and Policy
JPG 1615H
Planning and the Social Economy
JPG 1616H
The Cultural Economy
GGR 1620H
Institutional and Evolutionary Economic
Geography
JPG 1670H
Regional Economic Analysis
JPG 1812Y
Planning for Change: Community
Development in Practice
JGP 2408Y
Political Economy of International
Development
Historical, Social, and Cultural Geography
JPG 1503H
Space, Time, Revolution
JPG 1505H
The Multicultural City: Diversity, Policy
and Planning
JPG 1506H
State/Space/Difference: Understanding
the New Social Geography of the State
JPG 1520H
Contested Geographies of Class
Formation
JPG 1672H
Land and Justice
JPG 1702H
Historical Urban Geography and
Planning
GGR 1705H
Historical Geographies of Modernity
GGR 1706H
Geographies of Religion and Secularism
JPG 1706H
Violence and Security
5
Geography
GGR 1707H
Situating Identities: Geography and
Autobiography
JPG 1710H
Historic Preservation Planning
JPG 1713H
Place, Design, and Landscape
GGR 1714H
Cultural and Critical Geographies
JPG 1802H
Political Spaces I
JPG 1804H
Space, Power and Geography:
Understanding Spatiality
JPG 1805H
Transnationalism, Diaspora and Gender
JPG 1815H
Political Economy, the Body, and Health
Geographical Information Analysis
JPG 1906H
Geographic Information Systems
GGR 1911H
Remote Sensing
GGR 1912H
Advanced Remote Sensing
JPG 1914H
Geographic Information Systems
Research Project
GGR 1921H
Land/Geographic Information Systems
GGR 1922H
Topics in Geographical Information
Science
Planning
Master of Science in Planning
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 Program in
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
 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.
 Progress into the second year of the program is normally
dependent upon the achievement of an overall B
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
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Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
average in the first year. Equivalent provisions apply to
the part-time program.
 Students are required to pursue a planning internship
(PLA 4444H) between the first and second years 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.
 The program consists of 8.0 FCEs, taken over two
years. This includes the required 3.5 FCEs in core
courses. A further 4.5 FCEs (exclusive of PLA 4444H)
are 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 specialization in one of the following five fields:
Urban Planning and Development, Environmental
Planning, Social Planning and Policy, Economic
Planning and Policy, and Urban Design.
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
Doctor of Philosophy
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 Program in
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.
 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 October 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:
1. a written exam (options are an eight-hour closed room
exam, a five-day off-campus exam, or a 15-day offcampus exam); and
2. 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. A failure of the second
exam may result in recommendation for termination of the
student’s program.
 Acquire knowledge of a foreign language necessary for
their research upon the recommendation of their
committee.
 Submit a research proposal that is acceptable to their
research committee, normally by the end of the first
session (December) in Year 2 and no later than February
of Year 2.
 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.
 Complete a thesis embodying the results of original
investigation, conducted by the candidate, on the
approved topic from a major field. 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 requirements are fully described in
the Graduate Planning Handbook and the department's
website.
Program Requirements
Program Length
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.
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:
o 1.5 FCEs in core courses
o 1.5 FCEs in electives (at least 0.5 elective FCE must
be outside the Planning program).
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.
Time Limit
6
Geography
4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry
6 years full-time; 7 years direct-entry
Course List
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 MScPl
PLA 1101H
Issues in Planning History, Thought, and
Practice
PLA 1102H
Planning Decision Methods I
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
PLA 1103H
Legal Basis of Planning
JPG 1424H
Comparative Farming Systems
PLA 1105H
Planning Decision Methods II
JPG 1501H
The Political Economy of Cities
PLA 1106H
Workshop in Planning Practice
JPG 1502H
Global Urbanism and Cities of the Global
South
PLA 1107Y
Current Issues Paper
JPG 1503H
Space, Time, Revolution
PLA 1503H
Planning and Social Policy
JPG 1505H
The Multicultural City: Diversity, Policy
and Planning
JPG 1506H
Urban and Regional Social Policy: An
International Perspective
JPG 1507H
Housing Markets and Housing Policy
Analysis
JPG 1508H
Planning for the Urban Poor in
Developing Countries
JPG 1509H
Feminism, Postcoloniality and
Development
JPG 1510H
Recent Debates on Urban Form
JPG 1512H
Place, Politics and the Urban
JPG 1514H
The Role of the Planner: Making a
Difference
JPG 1516H
Declining Cities
PLA 1516H
Special Topics in Planning II
PLA 1517H
Special Topics in Planning III
JPG 1518H
Sustainability and Urban Communities
Core Courses for PhD Planning
JPG 1111H
Advanced Research Design (or a
methods course in a related department
subject to the approval of the supervisor)
PLA 2000H
Advanced Planning Theory
PLA 2001H
Planning Colloquium (CR/NCR)
Elective Courses
PLA 1149H
Independent Study
PLA 1150H
Planning Field Trip Course
JPG 1402H
Environment and Development
JPG 1403H
Political Ecology of African Environments
JPG 1404H
Issues in Global Warming
JPG 1406H
Sustainable Building Energy Use and
Supply
JPG 1407H
Efficient Use of Energy
JPG 1408H
Carbon-Free Energy
JPG 1410H
Institutional and Organizational Ecology
JGE 1413H
Workshop in Environmental Impact
Assessment
JPG 1415H
Global Environmental Justice and Social
Movements
PLA 1518H
City Building—Practice and Experience in
Toronto and Other World Cities
JPG 1416H
Environmental Consequences of Land
Use Change
PLA 1551H
Policy Analysis
JPG 1418H
Rural Land Use Planning
PLA 1552H
City Planning and Management
JPG 1419H
Aboriginal/Canadian Relations in
Environmental and Resource
Management
PLA 1553H
Urban Transportation Policy Analysis
JPG 1554H
Transportation and Urban Form
JPG 1556H
Transportation Systems Analysis
JPG 1558H
Transportation: Historical and
Geographical Perspectives
PLA 1601H
Environmental Planning and Policy
JPG 1607H
Geography of Competition
JGE 1420H
Urban Waste Management: an
International Perspective
JPG 1421H
Health in Urban Environments
JPG 1423H
Political Ecology of the Global Agrifood
System
7
Geography
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
JGE 1609H
Cities, Industry and the Environment
JPG 1614H
Regional Development and Policy
JPG 1615H
Planning the Social Economy
JPG 1616H
The Cultural Economy
PLA 1650H
Urban Design: History Theory Criticism
PLA 1651H
Planning and Real Estate Development
PLA 1652H
Introductory Studio in Urban Design and
Planning
PLA 1653Y
Advanced Studio in Urban Design and
Planning
PLA 1654H
Urban Design Research Methods
PLA 1655H
Urban Design and Development Controls
PLA 1656H
Land Use Planning: Principles and
Practice
JPG 1670H
Regional Economic Analysis
JPG 1672H
Land and Justice
JPG 1702H
Historical Urban Geography and Planning
JPG 1706H
Geographies of Violence
JPG 1710H
Historic Preservation Planning
JPG 1713H
Place, Design, and Landscape
PLA 1751H
Public Finance for Planners
PLA 1801H
Urban Infrastructure Planning
JPG 1802H
Political Spaces I
JPG 1804H
Space, Power and Geography:
Understanding Spatiality
JPG 1805H
Transnationalism, Diaspora and Gender
JPG 1810H
Globalization and Postmodernism
JPG 1812Y
Planning for Change: Community
Development in Practice
JPG 1906H
Geographic Information Systems
JPG 1909H
Social Survey Methods
JPG 1914H
Geographic Information Systems
Research Project
8
Geography
PLA 4444H
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.)
Urban Design Studies
The Master of Urban Design Studies (MUDS) is a oneyear professional degree program which provides
intensive, advanced education in the principles and
practices of urban design. It aims to encourage an
understanding of the interdependence of the economic,
social, and political forces that shape the character,
physical structure, and dynamic properties of cities. The
MUDS program coincided with the launch of the Master of
Urban Design (MUD) degree program in the Faculty of
Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Consult the
separate calendar entry under Architecture, Landscape,
and Design for more details.
Master of Urban Design Studies
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 Program in
Planning's additional admission requirements stated
below.
 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:
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
Program Requirements
JPG 1510H
Recent Debates on Urban Form
with significant prior design workshop/ studio experience
(as determined by the admissions committee) must
complete a core program of 2.5 FCEs plus a further 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 without significant prior design workshop/studio
experience must complete the above core program and
PLA 1652H, plus a further 1.0 elective FCE.
 The MUDS program can be completed on a full-time
basis only.
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 1702H
Historical Urban Geography and Planning
JPG 1710H
Historic Preservation Planning
JPG 1713H
Place, Design and Landscape
3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)
JPG 1804H
Space, Power and Geography:
Understanding Spatiality
JPG 1914H
Spatial Information Systems
Core Courses
URD 1012H
Urban Design Studio Options
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:
URD 1021H
Urban Design Computation
URD 1032H
Urban Design in the History of the PostIndustrial World
URD 1033H
The City and the Text
URD 2041H
Business and Land Use Planning in Real
Estate Development
 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs). Students entering
Program Length
Time Limit
3 years full-time
Course List
First Session
PLA 1650H/URD 1031H Urban Design: History
Theory Criticism or
JPG 1713H
Place, Design, and
Landscape
PLA 1652H
Introductory Studio in Urban
Design and Planning
(students without significant
design workshop/studio
experience must take PLA
1652H)
PLA 1654H
Urban Design Research
Methods
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.
Plus one half-course elective, or two half-course electives
if the student is exempted from PLA 1652H.
Second Session
PLA 1653Y
Advanced Studio in Urban Design and
Planning
PLA 1655H
Urban Design and Development
Plus one half-course elective.
Electives
Elective courses may be chosen from the following:
JPG 1501H
9
The Political Economy of Cities
Geography
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar