You are now in the main content area

Course Planning

Course Planning

Keeping your education on track means following the right steps when selecting your courses. The following information explains how you can plan your courses in the PLAN, PLAB or PLAD program.

At SURP, we translate real-world planning issues into an engaging curriculum that challenges you to make an impact. Diverse learning opportunities in the classroom and in the field will support you to develop substantive knowledge on cities and regions as well as the problem-solving skills needed for career flexibility and lifelong learning.

On this page 

  • Steps to Consider When Planning Your Courses 
  • Specializations
  • Minors
  • Field Research Courses
  • Placement and Internship Courses
  • International Exchange Opportunities
  • Special Topic Courses
  • Frequently Asked Questions

  

Steps to Consider When Planning Your Courses

When planning your courses for each semester, it is vital to consult the Undergraduate Calendar for that particular academic year.  The undergraduate calendar is Toronto Metropolitan University's official record of all undergraduate programs, courses and related policies. It provides information about the program's course requirements, liberal studies tables, minors and more.

Liberal Studies Tables

Students must complete liberal studies courses as part of the graduation requirements, which differ based on your program of study (PLAD, PLAB, or PLAN) . Liberal Studies courses are offered at two levels. The courses offered at each Level are listed in Table A and Table B.

  1. Lower Level (Table A)
  2. Upper Level (Table B)

Certain courses cannot be taken for liberal studies credit. The restrictions list that appears under your program/major are courses that do not count towards your degree requirements.

Core Elective Tables

Students must complete core elective courses as part of the graduation requirements, which differ based on your program of study (PLAD, PLAB, or PLAN). Core elective courses are separated into two tables. PLAN core electives are listed in Core Elective Table I, and PLAB/PLAD core electives are listed in Core Elective Table III.

  1. Urban and Regional Planning Core Elective Table I (opens in new window) 
  2. Urban and Regional Planning Core Elective Table III (opens in new window) 

Course intentions are mandatory. All returning students must to be aware of TMU’s upcoming course intention periods for the academic year.

 

Upcoming Course Intention Period - Fall 2025 and Winter 2026

Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 6 a.m. to Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Course intentions is the process where students indicate the courses they wish to take in the upcoming academic year. The courses you select will inform how many class sections of a course will be offered and how many seats will be allocated.

There are many benefits to participating in course intentions including:

  • Having a better chance of getting your preferred courses
  • Obtaining priority enrollment access by having a priority enrolment appointment
  • Obtaining OSAP funds faster by not having a delayed OSAP Confirmation of Enrollment
  • Being able to maintain your scholarships by showing full-time enrollment
  • Confirming your enrollment status

For course intentions to be fully completed, ensure there is a green checkmark beside each course in your MyServiceHub Shopping Cart after selecting the Finish Enrolling button.

Course enrolment (opens in new window)  is the period of time at the start of each term when you can adjust and build your schedule by adding, dropping and swapping classes. The course enrolment period occurs after your undergraduate course schedules are released in your Student Center in MyServiceHub. This schedule release typically happens in early August for the fall term and late November for the winter term.

Returning students must participate in course intentions to be eligible for a priority enrolment appointment. If you are not assigned a priority enrollment appointment, your enrolment will start on the first day of the open enrollment period.

Course wait lists are available for some courses. They allow you to place yourself in the queue for a space in a currently full class. When you are in the first position and a space becomes available, the Wait List feature will attempt to enrol you. Notification of this enrolment transaction will be sent to your university email account.

  

Specializations

Specializations are not a minor program and will not be included on your official transcripts. Instead, the school will offer a certificate/letter of recognition that can be used as part of your credential portfolio. Students are required to track their courses and submit a request for a Certificate/Letter of Recognition before graduation by completing the  (google form) Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning: Specialization Letter Request (external link) .

SURP offers four optional specializations. These specializations provide focused study areas within the broader planning curriculum. Each specialization requires three courses: one mandatory course and two optional courses from the specialization’s offerings. While more than one specialization can be done, a course can only be used once and cannot go towards multiple specializations.

Three courses from the following:

  • PLE 525: Urban Transportation Planning (required)
  • PLE 625: Transportation Policy
  • PLE 675: Transportation and Urban Form
  • PLE 825: Planning Design and Technology

Three courses from the following:

  • PLE 535: Housing (required)
  • PLE 635: Feasibility Analysis of Development
  • PLE 735: Private Development Seminar
  • PLE 865: Brownfields and Sustainable Redevelopment
  • PLE 675: Transportation and the Urban Form

Three courses from the following:

  • PLE 515: Environmental Planning (required)
  • PLE 835: Ecological Design
  • PLE 865: Brownfields and Sustainable Redevelopment
  • PLE 715: Environmental Impact Assessment

Three courses from the following:

PLE 755: Contemporary Urban Design (required)

PLE 555: Site Planning I

PLE 835: Ecological Design

PLE 545: History of City Development

  

Minors

Please review and clarify all requirements for minor programs with their respective academic departments.

Students can choose from a variety of Minors (opens in new window)  to complement their degree. It is an opportunity for you to explore another domain for personal interest or as a focus area related to your career goals.  A Minor consists of six one-term degree-level courses, either core elective, open elective, and/or liberal studies courses. Students in the Full-time, Four-year (PLAN) program most frequently complete their minors in the following programs:

When planning your Minor courses, keep in mind the following:

  • Each course can only count toward one Minor.
  • Courses used for a Minor cannot be used to fulfill a concentration requirement.
  • Completing a Minor may require additional courses beyond your program requirements, potentially incurring additional fees.
  • All Minor requirements must be completed before graduation.
  • Students must apply for the Minor separately when they apply to graduate.
  • Completion of a Minor is noted on the academic transcript but not on the award document.

  

Field Research Courses

In your upper years —typically the week before Fall Study Week— you will participate in two required field research courses. Destinations for the Fall 2024 semester included Pittsburgh, Montreal, Halifax, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

3rd year PLAN and 1st year PLAB/PLAD field trip courses are PLG 531: Field Research Project I, PLG 532: Field Research Project II, PLG 533: Field Research Project III, and PLG 534: Field Research Project IV.

As part of the field research course, you’ll complete pre-trip preparation, participate in scheduled briefings, conduct field research and prepare a report on issues related to the sites you visit. 

Things to note:

  • Field trip courses are first-come, first-served. Once a course reaches maximum capacity, additional students cannot be added.
  • Additional costs related to the field research courses are automatically added as an ancillary fee to your tuition.
  • International destinations require a valid passport and travel visa. Students are responsible for arranging their own visas if necessary.

With  (google form) departmental consent (external link) , students may also enroll in a Southern Ontario option (PLG 534: Field Research Project IV). Priority is given to students who cannot travel outside of Canada or cannot travel to destinations requiring overnight stays due to visa restrictions or other extenuating circumstances. 

4th year PLAN and 2nd year PLAB/PLAD field trip courses are PLG 731: Advanced Field Research Project I, PLG 732: Advanced Field Research Project II, PLG 733: Advanced Field Research Project III, PLG 734: Advanced Field Research Project IV.

As part of the field research course, you’ll complete pre-trip preparation, participate in scheduled briefings, conduct field research and prepare a report on issues related to the sites you visit. 

Things to note:

  • Field trip courses are first-come, first-served. Once a course reaches maximum capacity, additional students cannot be added.
  • Additional costs related to the field research courses are automatically added as an ancillary fee to your tuition.
  • International destinations require a valid passport and travel visa. Students are responsible for arranging their own visas if necessary.

With  (google form) departmental consent (external link) , students may also enroll in a Southern Ontario option (PLG 734: Advanced Field Research Project IV). Priority is given to students who are unable to travel outside of Canada or cannot travel to destinations requiring overnight stays due to visa restrictions or other extenuating circumstances. 

Under special or extenuating circumstances, fourth-year students in good academic standing (and who have already completed one field research course) may apply for an independent field research project.

If you are interested in completing an independent field research project, submit a statement of interest to Dr. Raktim Mitra, raktim.mitra@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) , by May 1st of your sixth semester. If the faculty committee approves your application, you must make an oral presentation and submit a written report before the end of the term. You will be assigned an advisor.

Costs

You will be responsible for all costs and arrangements associated with your independent field research project. The standard ancillary fee charged for school-organized trips will be dropped from your tuition statement. Field trip expenses are not tax deductible.

  

Placement and Internship Courses

The Field Internship course, PLE 780, is designed for upper-year students who secure their own paid internship directly related to urban and regional planning.

Things to note:

  • Only SURP staff are permitted to enroll students in PLE 780
  • You can participate in a maximum of one field internship

Example of Placement Partners

  • Aoyuan International (Eastern Canada)
  • Area Realty Inc.
  • Canadian Brownfields Network
  • Canadian Urban Institute
  • Carriage Gate Homes
  • City of Brampton
  • City of Thorold
  • City of Toronto, Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit
  • City of Toronto, Strategic Initiatives, Policy and Analysis (SIPA), City Planning
  • CP Planning
  • CreateTO
  • Credit Valley Conservation
  • CREW Toronto
  • Diamond Corp
  • Greenbelt Foundation
  • Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area
  • Hazelview Properties
  • Help A Girl Out (HAGO)
  • Hispanic Development Council
  • Mattamy Homes
  • Metropia
  • Muslim in Public Spaces (MiPS)
  • Real Property Association of Canada (RealPAC)
  • STEPS Public Art
  • The Laneway Project
  • Trinity Point Developments
  • Urban Toronto
  • Must be a 3rd or 4th-year student of the PLAN program or a PLAB/PLAD student.
  • Must have a clear academic standing and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
  • Other criteria may be specified.

The School of Urban and Regional Planning offers a unique opportunity for upper-year students to gain practical experience through the Field Placement course, PLE 785. This elective allows you to apply your knowledge with planning agencies and community organizations through one professional field placement elective.

You’ll spend one to two days per week applying your knowledge to practice while being exposed to a range of practical, organizational, political and professional issues.

Things to note:

  • Field placements are unpaid.
  • Summer employment cannot be used for academic credit.
  • You can participate in a maximum of one placement.
  • Only SURP staff are permitted to enroll students in PLE 785.
  • Current students will receive placement information by August 15 (for the fall term) and December 15 (for the winter term).

  

International Exchange Opportunities

SURP is partnered with four universities to provide student exchange opportunities:

Exchange students remain registered at TMU while on exchange. This means that you will continue to pay tuition to TMU and do not have to apply for readmission upon your return.

Exchanges typically take place in the winter term of your second year.

To determine your eligibility and to apply, please consult global.learning@torontomu.ca.

Visit TMU Global to learn more about global education opportunities.

  

Special Topic Courses

PLE 745: Special Topics in Planning and PLE 845: Special Topics in Planning are usually offered every fall and winter term. In the past few years, special topics included the City of Toronto, health, access and aging in planning, the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, planning for culture and community, and climate change.

Example of Special Topic Courses

Course Title Course Description
City of Toronto This “CivicLabTO Common Curriculum” Course is a partnership with the City of Toronto as part of their CivicLabTO collaboration with Toronto’s 8 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The CivicLabTO Common Curriculum is based on bi-weekly lectures delivered by senior city staff and elected officials at City Hall on key topics around city building. These lectures take place at City Hall and students attend in person in the City Hall Council Chambers. In the other week, our class meets in our classroom to debrief and discuss the topics and “bring the issues home” to our TMU campus and neighbourhood.
Health, Access + Aging in Planning This is an advanced seminar course that uses a critical lens to explore the intersections of human health/wellbeing and the built environment, with a focus on the experiences of aging and disabled populations (as well as intersectional experiences). This course will examine theories, concepts, empirical research, and policies within the healthy built environment, access and aging literatures, as well as complimentary work from cognate disciplines. There is a strong focus on the role and responsibility of the professional planner in creating healthy, accessible and inclusive communities.
St. Lawrence Neighbourhood As we approach the 50th anniversary of Toronto’s St. Lawrence neighbourhood (development sites were acquired in 1974, with first occupancy in 1979), we find ourselves at an interesting moment to reflect on lessons learned from the creation of this mixed use, mixed income neighbourhood. This course represents a rare opportunity in the North American context to examine a neighbourhood case study after 50 years, particularly one created to supply affordable housing that remains successful. In doing so, the aim of this course is to further a critical understanding of the theory and systems that inform urban renewal projects and the provision of housing, then and now.

  

Frequently Asked Questions

When planning your courses for each semester, it is vital to consult the Undergraduate Calendar for that particular academic year.  The undergradute calendar is Toronto Metropolitan University's official record of all undergraduate programs, courses and related policies. It provides information about the program's course requirements, liberal studies tables, minors and more.

RUN AN ADVISEMENT REPORT ON MYSERVICEHUB (opens in new window) ! This handy tool will show you exactly what you've taken versus what is still outstanding for your graduation requirements. It'll also show you what will (and won't) count toward your degree.

Liberal Elective: Courses outside your core area of study that improve critical thinking skills. These courses usually have a writing component. When selecting courses on the academic calendar for that particular year, these courses will be marked with either LL (lower-level) or UL (upper-level).

Core Electives (PLE): Courses within your major that deepen knowledge in your field of study. At SURP, Core Electives start with the PLE course code.

Open Electives: Degree-level courses based on your interests and career goals. These courses are generally outside your program of study.

Dropping or failing required courses can delay your expected graduation date as PLG courses are only offered once a year, and are often prerequisites for the next term.

Course intentions happen before enrolment. Toward the end of the academic year (March), you can select the courses you wish to take in the upcoming year. These intentions are used to generate course schedules.

Please note that completing course intentions does not guarantee enrolment.

Course enrolment is the next step of the process, where you’ll be able to view course times and instructors and adjust by adding, dropping or swapping courses.

If you don't complete your course intentions, your account will be blocked from enrolment until the respective Open Enrolment period.

Your course intentions might not have led to enrolment due to class scheduling conflicts, full course capacity, unmet prerequisites, or account holds. If your course intentions are not scheduled, you will have an opportunity to make changes to your schedule during the course enrolment period.

Visit the "Reasons why course intentions did not result in course enrolment" (opens in new window)  tab of the Course Intentions site.