DG 8116: Your Passion. Your Purpose. Your Project. Your Credit. Your Community!
Book a meeting to learn more and enroll
Got a passion project you’ve been wanting to pursue alongside your graduate studies? DG 8116 is your opportunity to turn it into reality, earning course credit while developing your idea with the support of a diverse, encouraging community. This unique graduate-level elective helps you integrate your passion project seamlessly into your academic schedule. You'll gain real-world skills and accountability through a process-based journey, guided by an instructor and peers. It's about empowering you to take an existing project to the next level, or guide a new idea from conception to execution, make a tangible impact, and discover or deepen the purpose behind your work, enriching and expanding your graduate experience.
What is DG 8116?
DG 8116 is a unique experiential elective where deep ideation converges with tangible action. It empowers you to elevate an existing or new passion project, transforming it into a substantive and impactful endeavor. Whether your focus is social, cultural, technical, environmental, or intrinsically linked to your specific academic research or professional aspirations, this course provides the structure to pursue a project that profoundly matters to you, enriching and expanding your graduate experience.
Drive Your Own Project: Define Your Project, Stay Accountable, and Realize Your Vision.
Join a Dynamic Community: Connect, Share, Support, and Grow.
Earn Credit for Real-World Impact: Transform Your Ideas into Action.
Why take DG 8116?
We understand the rigorous demands of graduate studies, where your time is often stretched between advanced coursework, research, teaching assistantships, and professional development. That’s why DG 8116 is designed to integrate seamlessly into your academic schedule, offering a unique opportunity to cultivate a project with significant academic, professional, or societal impact while earning credit toward your degree. This distinctive experience cultivates a highly sought-after suite of advanced skills. These include independent initiative, interdisciplinary application, and real-world problem-solving, all of which will significantly differentiate you in the competitive academic and professional landscapes, enhancing your resume, interview performance, and networking capabilities. Participants consistently highlight DG 8116 as one of the most practical and transformative experiences of their graduate journey at TMU.
Who is DG 8116 for?
This experiential elective welcomes graduate participants from diverse faculties and disciplines across TMU. You will pursue your project alongside individuals from up to 10 different graduate programs. With the instructor serving as a "guide by the side" and robust support from a vibrant peer community, you’ll receive as much encouragement, advice, and feedback as you seek out. While every participant works independently, the course environment fosters opportunities to learn from one another and build meaningful connections across projects and disciplines.
When is DG 8116 offered?
DG 8116 is offered every Fall and Winter semester. Please note that the course is not currently offered during the Spring-Summer semester.
How does DG 8116 work?
DG 8116 helps you take an existing project to the next level, or guide a new idea from conception to execution, by providing a structured, supportive environment tailored for graduate-level engagement. You'll participate in alternating whole-class sessions and dedicated small-group sessions (breakout groups with peers working on similar projects). The cultivation of transferable skills that support success in advanced academic, professional, and real-world settings is central to DG 8116. Throughout the course, you’ll develop and reinforce a practical toolkit of essential capabilities. These are not abstract concepts, but tangible, real-world strategies that will help you make significant progress on your project and extend their utility far beyond the course. Over 10 weeks, you’ll actively strengthen these skills through hands-on work, collaborative small-group sessions, and insightful reflective class discussions, ensuring you can carry them forward long after the course concludes. Explore the skills toolkit below.
Organization & Leadership
Structure your project from start to finish. You'll learn to manage tasks, set priorities, and lead yourself and your initiative effectively to achieve tangible progress.
Critical Thinking & Inquiry
Tackle the messy realities of your project. You'll learn to question assumptions, analyze challenges from all angles, and find practical solutions to move your ideas forward.
Curiosity & Creative Thinking
Fuel your passion by exploring fresh possibilities. Cultivate original approaches, brainstorm innovative solutions, and embrace new perspectives to bring your unique vision to life.
Communication & Networking
Clearly articulate your purpose and connect with others. You'll learn to express your ideas compellingly, listen actively, and build valuable relationships that truly support your project's journey.
Initiative & Resourcefulness
Take charge of your project's direction. You'll learn to overcome obstacles creatively, find innovative solutions with available resources, and confidently push your ideas forward independently.
Uncertainty Narrowing & Decision Making
Thrive amidst complexity. You'll learn to seek out necessary information, make informed decisions, and iterate on your approach as new insights emerge, keeping your project moving forward effectively.
Empathy & Problem Solving
Understand real needs deeply. Develop a project that truly resonates with people, addressing needs with compassion and creating positive, lasting impact for your intended beneficiaries.
Responsibility & Accountability
Own your project's journey from idea to completion. You'll gain the commitment to meet goals, learn from every step, and take full ownership of your progress and outcomes.
Adaptability & Flexibility
Respond effectively to change. You'll learn to adjust your approach, embrace new insights, and pivot seamlessly when facing unexpected challenges, keeping your project vibrant and relevant.
Metacognition & Mindfulness
Understand how you operate at your peak. Develop the self-awareness to recognize your strengths, manage challenges effectively, and continuously refine your approach to thinking and working.
The course emphasizes a process- and journey-based approach, where your learning is assessed by how effectively you navigate challenges, integrate feedback, and adapt your project over time. Regular reflective notes and progress reports are utilized to capture your efforts and advancements. Should you wish to continue your work beyond this semester, you have the option to pursue an independent studies course with the same instructor to build upon your existing project or to embark on a new one.
Who has benefited from DG 8116?
Participants from diverse graduate programs across TMU have experienced the unique value of DG 8116. Coming from varied academic backgrounds, they've each gained distinct benefits, leveraging the course to advance their unique projects as well as their scholarly, professional, and personal goals. This course is consistently highlighted by participants as one of the most practical and meaningful experiences of their graduate journey at TMU.
Mahnoor, Master in Biomedical Engineering
"I now know how to combine creativity with expert feedback in developing a project. My expectation for DG 8116 was surpassed as it allowed me to develop and reinforce my skills in design, communication, and development of projects."
Mahnoor, Master in Biomedical Engineering
HaPhan (Master in Computer Science)
“DG 8116 has given me the opportunity to enhance my abilities in content creation and presentation, which are vital skills in both academic and professional settings. I expect the knowledge and skills gained from the course and my project to significantly benefit my future studies and career.”
HaPhan, Master in Computer Science
Chelsea (Master in Digital Media)
"You'll meet people, you'll have 12 weeks to dedicate to your project, you'll grow as a person and as an entrepreneur, you'll gain long-lasting relationships with those that you've met through the course, and you'll have an opportunity to scale your project or business."
Chelsea, Master in Digital Media
Jayda, Master in Environmental Applied Science and Management
"With DG 8116, I gained valuable insights into key principles for developing my own product and the critical steps involved in building a successful venture. The course's hands-on, interactive approach far exceeded my expectations, offering a more engaging and enriching experience than I had imagined. I'm truly grateful to have been part of such a uniquely impactful class."
Jayda, Master in Environmental Applied Science and Management
Adrianne, Master in Interior Design
"DG 8116 has given me the chance to dedicate a certain amount of hours every week to working on something that I am passionate about. I would say that other people feel the same because in other courses you wouldn't be able to have this much freedom by dedicating your own direction to your projects."
Adrianne, Master in Interior Design
Rishabraj, Master in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
"This course has allowed me to get a ton of hands-on experience and develop practical skills in ideation, end-user research, planning, and pitching. I also acquired skills that will enhance my academic performance, especially in projects and efforts that require problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning."
Rishabraj, Master in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Shannon, Master in Professional Communication
"DG 8116 is a very safe place to make mistakes, to develop an idea, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a passion project. You'll get a lot of inspiration, interesting discussions, constructive criticism, and personal time with like-minded peers."
Shannon, Master in Professional Communication
Ria, Master in Social Work
"The more I was striving to be perfect, the more inadequate I felt. And it was through these classes that I realized that everyone here was in the same boat as I was."
Ria, Master in Social Work
Book a meeting to learn more and enrol
Curious about DG 8116 and ready to turn your passion project into reality? Connecting with one of our course instructors is the best way to discuss your project idea and understand the enrolment process. Please book a meeting with JP Silva to find out how you can join.
Please note: DG 8116 requires department consent, so you won’t be able to add it directly to your course cart. We'll guide you through this process during your meeting.
FAQ
DG 8116 is open to graduate students from every program at TMU. The course attracts students who want to explore and expand their creative practice, pursue a passion project, or test an idea in a structured but flexible learning environment.
Unlike a capstone, thesis, or MRP, DG 8116 is not about advancing required academic research. Instead, it provides space for you to pursue a self-directed project that matters to you while engaging real-world audiences, end-users, or communities.
You’ll learn how to plan, develop, and execute a project in real-world conditions. Along the way, you’ll strengthen transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, all while navigating uncertainty and feedback from others.
Beyond having a clear project idea, there are no formal prerequisites. What’s most important is your readiness to pursue the project with focus and autonomy.
Not at all. The course is designed for students from all disciplines. What matters is your commitment to building and refining a project, not your prior technical skill.
You should have a project idea in mind before enrolling. The semester is too short to both conceive and meaningfully launch something from scratch. If you’re unsure, book a meeting with the instructor before the semester begins.
No. DG 8116 does not match students with projects. Most participants work on their own project or with collaborators they bring in themselves.
Yes. You can adjust or change your idea before the course starts. What matters is that you’re ready to actively pursue a project from day one.
Projects vary widely. Past participants have worked on creative practices (film, design, music, fashion), professional initiatives (consultancies, agencies, collectives), technology-based prototypes, nonprofit and community projects, and practice-based research pilots.
Both group and individual projects are supported. What matters is clarity of vision, scope, and responsibility.
You’re welcome to continue developing an existing project. Many graduate students choose to build on something they’ve already started.
That’s very encouraged. Projects can be commercial, creative, or community-based. What matters is your ability to define and carry them forward.
The course operates on two-week cycles. One week features a three-hour class with all peers for presentations, discussions, demos, and guest speaker conversations. The alternate week involves a one-hour small group session (4-5 peers with the instructor or an academic assistant) for debriefing on progress, challenges, and planning. These small group sessions foster peer learning and support.
Expect to spend at least three hours per week outside class on your project. Class time is for feedback, exchange, and reflection, not direct project work.
That’s expected. Iteration and adjustment are part of the process.
Failure is part of learning. You’re assessed on your process, reflection, and skill development, not on whether your project “succeeds.”
That’s normal. The course is designed to be supportive, with structured opportunities to share progress and receive feedback at a pace that helps build confidence.
Assessment is based on three individual records (reports) and one group presentation. These reflect how you apply and strengthen transferable skills such as leadership, organization, problem-solving, and communication.
You’ll have access to instructor support, peer networks, and connections to TMU’s resources (including funding opportunities, mentorship, and materials). The course also emphasizes feedback and community, so you’ll never be working in isolation.
Most projects require little or no funding. If you do need financial support, we’ll help you identify potential resources at TMU or externally.
DG 8116 is designed to strengthen your portfolio, expand your practice, and give you hands-on experience in taking a project forward. While it can be related to your thesis or MRP, it's not a substitute for either of them.
Yes. At the end of the semester, you’ll be invited to participate in the Zone Learning Showcase and Market at the SLC. There may also be other opportunities, such as gallery exhibits, community events, or faculty-led showcases.
Not through DG 8116. However, you can ask your DG 8116 instructor if they would be willing to continue supporting your efforts by becoming your supervisor in a directed or independent studies course.
No. Membership in a Zone is no longer required.
You must book a meeting (external link) with the instructor to discuss your project and be enrolled in the course. A course substitution form will likely be required, but you can discuss it all during the meeting.