Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Environmental Design
Master of Environmental Design (MEDes)
Thesis-based program
Program overview
Natural, built and social environments are increasingly seen as intertwined, interdependent, and indeterminate, creating challenging conditions which must be addressed to achieve a sustainable future.
Meeting this challenge requires environmental designers who are strong leaders and visionaries. This unique, thesis-based degree is designed to train and nurture these leaders. In order to understand and solve complex spatial issues, thesis students in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape mobilize a range of methods from different disciplines, including: design explorations, participatory planning exercises, ethnography, surveys, statistics, laboratory science, fieldwork, and archival, visual, and textual studies.
Completing this program
- Core Courses: Conceptual Bases of Environmental Design and Research Skills and Critical Thinking.
- Thesis Proposal: A thesis proposal approved by the supervisor.
- Progress Reports: Student progress reports must be submitted annually by the student and the supervisor.
- Additional Courses: May include topics such as design thinking, urban infrastructure, urban design, urban systems, special topics and others.
- Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
Outcomes
Consultancy, civil service, government (e.g. Natural Resources), municipalities, planning, architecture, landscape architecture, academia, research institutions, real estate development, engineering, industrial design, product design.
A master’s degree in environmental design will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Courses
Two core courses and two electives
Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Four years maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
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Accepting InquiriesArchitecture, Urban Design, Landscape Design -
Accepting InquiriesLandscape Architecture -
Accepting InquiriesConservation in prairie agroecosystems, Landscape connectivity and spatial genetics, Pollinator status, Urban informatics -
Accepting InquiriesEnergy efficent/ energy producing buildings and neighborhoods -
Accepting Inquiries -
Accepting InquiriesSocial Implications of Technology, Privacy and Security, Smart Communities, Technocreepiness, Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare, Non-financial Applications of the Blockchain -
Accepting Inquiries -
Accepting Inquiriesarchitectural history, history of architecture, urban history, urban studies, environmental design theory -
Seeking StudentsComputational Design, Robotic Fabrication, Human-Robot Collaboration, Machine Learning, Digital Design and Fabrication -
Accepting Inquiries
Admission requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
A four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.
Work samples
At least one example of the applicant's previous academic or professional work such as a written essay, published research paper, major academic paper, thesis, design project, or consulting report. In addition, applicants may submit a portfolio that provides examples of or illustrates the applicant’s design work, professional work, research, creative thinking, community action, planning products, or graphics and visual communication. If any of the work submitted involved collaboration with others, the applicant should clearly identify their individual contributions. The examples of work and (if applicable) portfolio should be submitted in digital form (portable document .PDF files), uploaded by the applicant to their Student Centre, upon submission of their online application.
Documents
- A clear, concise and substantive statement of interest (1,000 to 1,500 words), which informs the Admissions Committee of the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the MEDes degree
- A funding plan that demonstrates that financial resources are available for the entire program of study
- A C.V
Reference letters
Three
Test scores
None
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 105.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 with no section less than 70.
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in each course.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Feb. 1 application deadline
- International students: Feb. 1 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Professional Faculties Building, Room 2182
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.6601
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