Faculty of Environmental Design
Faculty Information
Contact Information
Location: | Professional Faculties - 2182 |
Student Information: | (403) 220-6601 |
Fax number: | (403) 284-4399 |
E-mail address: | |
Web page URL: |
Introduction
The Faculty's mandate is a dual one: to offer a learning and research environment that prepares individuals for interdisciplinary design and research collaboration; and to offer professional practice competencies. Students and the members of faculty frequently collaborate in research and demonstration projects. Students develop individual programs of study with a faculty advisor to meet their academic and professional objectives. Since its founding, the nature and scope of the Faculty's activities have developed in concert with growing concerns about the environment and its qualities, and with the extended complexity of environmental issues. Attention is being increasingly given to the appropriate ends, the just and equitable modes of intervention, and the qualitative character of environment to be achieved when design, management and planning projects are undertaken. In these respects, the Faculty's research, educational programs and outreach services variously touch on social, cultural, built and natural environments. Its ultimate concerns are for the quality of human life and sustainability. The objects of design may be plans, policies, management strategies, social or political institutions, media for communicating or exhibiting ideas, knowledge and public attitudes, products, buildings, and other artifacts that make up environments. The Faculty explicitly recognizes that scholarship, creative activity, exhibitions, engagement in participatory research, scientific research, and innovative, thoughtful professional practice are all valuable media for both inquiry and the communication of knowledge. The Faculty's disposition towards research, scholarship and creative activity is that individual and collaborative endeavours will serve to advance not only the intellectual and skills bases of environmental design, but as well, the advancement of knowledge, skills and societal perspectives necessary for the professions represented in the Faculty. | |
Enquiries | Enquiries regarding application for admission and financial assistance forms and specific questions about programs and degree requirements should be directed to:
Admissions Administrator |
Pattern
Master's degrees are offered by the Faculty of Environmental Design, not the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Please refer to the Faculty of Environmental Design calendar for further details. For PhD studies, an area of specialization, submitted by the student and supervisor, must receive the approval of the PhD Coordinator prior to its submission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for their approval. The Faculty does not offer undergraduate programs, although an undergraduate Minor in Architectural Studies is offered in partnership with the Faculty of Communication and Culture. Senior undergraduates in other Faculties may be eligible to take courses in the Faculty of Environmental Design. However, prior approvals of the instructor and the Faculty are required. The Faculty is engaged in research and graduate level professional education and communications, directed towards management, planning and design in the human and natural environments. An integral part of this mission is the Faculty's readiness to work cooperatively with local communities, governments, private corporations, associations and other Faculties. |
Admissions
There are no prerequisites as to undergraduate programs or courses. However, prospective applicants are advised to use opportunities within their baccalaureate studies to develop knowledge in design, the humanities, social sciences, arts, biological and/or physical sciences - including, wherever possible, studio, laboratory, and collaborative learning experiences. | |
Applicants to the degree program will normally possess a baccalaureate degree from a recognized university with a grade point average (GPA) in the final two years of study of at least 3.00 (based on a four-point grading system). The Faculty will consider qualifications of equivalent standing, particularly in the case of mature students (usually in their mid-thirties or older) and individuals in mid-career. Candidates for the Master of Architecture and the Master of Environmental Design (Urban Design) must provide evidence of original and/or creative work in any field or medium and demonstrate in writing the relevance of the skills shown by this work to the study of Architecture or Urban Design. This work should be presented in a compact form (box, envelope or binder in A4 metric [81/2" x 11"] or 297 mm by 297 mm [11" x 11"] format). Indicate specific contributions to work completed with others. Prior to admission to the Faculty of Environmental Design all applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency for purposes of admission in one of the following ways: § successful completion of at least three years of formal, full-time study (not less than three courses per semester) at an English secondary or post-secondary institution in an English-speaking country which the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ recognizes as English language proficiency exempt; or § graduation from a degree program offered by an accredited university in a country which the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ recognizes as English language proficiency exempt; or § by achieving a score of at least 600 (written test) or 250 (computer based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), including at least 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE), and by achieving a score of at least 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE); or § by achieving a minimum score of 7.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or § by successful completion of the English Language Foundation Program (ELFP) at the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½. No exceptions will be made to this regulation. Because of limitations on enrolment, all applicants meeting these qualifications are not necessarily admitted. Applicants who do not meet all the qualifications for admission, but who in the judgment of the Faculty merit the opportunity to demonstrate ability, may be admitted with Probationary status. Probationary status will not normally be granted for a period exceeding one year. | |
Application Procedures | The deadline date for applications is February 1 for registration in the following Fall Session. A Faculty Admissions Committee admits the most qualified applicants with demonstrated potential to work in an interdisciplinary program. Applicants are expected to identify their intended program of study in their application. New admissions to the Faculty are limited in number on an annual basis. Applicants will be notified by the Admissions Committee no later than April 15. |