Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Design Research (MDR) is a thesis-based program that aims to develop strong leaders and visionaries in environmental design. The program is tailored to recent graduates of professional architecture, planning, or landscape architecture programs who want to develop an area of specialization early in their career.

Program Details

• Core Courses: Design Research Methods, Design Research Writing, Design Innovation
• Additional Courses: One required elective; may include topics such as design thinking, urban infrastructure, urban design, urban systems, special topics, and others.
• Thesis Proposal: A thesis proposal approved by the supervisor.
• Annual Progress Reports: Student progress reports must be submitted annually by the student and the supervisor.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Outcomes

The program prepares students for careers in consultancy, civil service, government, municipalities, planning, architecture, landscape architecture, academia, research institutions, real estate development, engineering, industrial design, and product design.

Admission Requirements

• GPA: A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point scale, over the last two years of study (a minimum of 20 courses or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
• Minimum Education: A four-year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Documents:
  • Portfolio: Provide examples of or illustrate design work, professional work, research, creative thinking, community action, planning products, or graphics and visual communication.
  • Examples of Writing: Provide 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.
  • Statement of Research Interest: A clear, concise, and substantive statement of interest, which informs the Admissions Committee of the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the MDR degree.
  • Funding Plan: Provide a two-year funding plan that demonstrates that financial resources are available for the entire program of study, including scholarship and student award funding to supplement personal funds.
  • CV/Resume: A summary of your experiences in education, work, volunteering, and other relevant areas.
• Reference Letters: Three
• Test Scores: None
• English Language Proficiency:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 105 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section)
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59, or higher (Academic version).
  • Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (minimum 70 in each section)
  • Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in each course.
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 200.

Deadlines

• For admission on September 1:
  • Canadians and permanent residents: Feb. 1 application deadline
  • International students: Feb. 1 application deadline

Supervisors

The program has a list of available supervisors, including:

• Enrica Dall'Ara
• Tawab Hlimi
• Thomas P. Keenan
• Cecile Kotyk
• David Monteyne
• Alicia Nahmad Vazquez
• Brian Sinclair
• Mauricio Soto-Rubio
• Joshua Taron
• Sasha Tsenkova

Time Commitment

The program has a maximum time commitment of four years.

Fees and Funding

Information on fees and fee regulations, as well as awards and financial assistance, can be found in the Graduate Calendar.

Related Programs

The University of Calgary offers related programs in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, and Planning.