First Year Resources

Your TMU online identity was likely created when you first accessed the ChooseTMU portal as an applicant. If you do not have an online identity, complete the online identity activation form using your TMU student number.

Around late-July, your applicant account will be converted to a student account. You will then be prompted to create a TMU username and set up a student email address through the my.torontomu portal.

Your OneCard is your official student identification. It provides access to many services and facilities on campus.

With your OneCard, you can:

• Access buildings across campus
• Deposit money to use for printing, campus eateries and the bookstore
• Use the library and borrow materials
• Access Recreation and Athletic Centres
• Use on-campus parking garages with a valid permit

Apply for your OneCard using the online application portal. Ideally, you should pick up your OneCard from the OneCard office before classes start.

First-year students are automatically enrolled in their required courses for Fall and Winter terms. However, if applicable, you must enroll in your elective courses and field trip courses. Curriculum requirements differ based on your program of study.

Course Intentions

From March 6, 2025, to March 12, 2025, you can complete course intentions for the Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 terms. This is a mandatory process, and you must select all courses you intend to take, including required courses.

Undergraduate Calendar

When planning your courses for each semester, it is vital to consult the Undergraduate Calendar for that particular academic year. The Undergraduate Calendar 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.

Orientation gives you the opportunity to connect with other students, familiarize yourself with the campus, and learn about the different supports, services, and opportunities available to you. Fall orientation takes place in August, the week before classes begin.

SURP hosts their own Academic Orientation during Orientation week. You will be able to meet your peers and key contacts like your student success specialist, program directors, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan Association of Planning Students (TMAPS). You will also have the chance to familiarize yourself with the lounge, classrooms, and workspaces in the South Bond Building.

You can register with Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) as soon as your TMU email address is activated. To guarantee accommodations for the current semester, start the registration process early. Visit the AAS registration page for detailed steps on how to register.

SURP D2L is located in my.torontomu (opens in new window)  > Online Courses & Organizations. SURP D2L provides real-time updates regarding events, job and research opportunities, competitions, and straightforward information on policies that impact your day-to-day as a student at TMU.

Once enrolled in any SURP programs, you are automatically added to the SURP D2L.

CVUP 100: Foundations of Planning is an intensive summer course offered only to candidates who have been conditionally accepted into either of the Two-Year accelerated streams of the undergraduate program. Thus, it's not widely published on the TMU/Chang School website - nor would you be able to self-enroll.

Essentially, CVUP-100 is a three-week full-time "crash course" in planning meant to help incoming students transition into the undergraduate program's Fall/Winter curriculum. Please be aware that all applicants are required to pass CVUP-100 to continue in the program successfully.

If your application to SURP is ultimately successful, the SURP Admissions Officer will then be in touch with details on how to enroll. Kindly note that onboarding for CVUP 100 is managed directly by our Admissions team.

After completing and passing the course, you will be admitted into the two-year program you applied for. If applicable, you can begin applying for transfer credits, enroll in your elective courses, complete your course intentions (opens in new window) , and participate in TMU and FCS orientation.

Submit your transfer credit application as soon as you have accepted your offer of admission. Please visit the Transfer Credits webpage for information on eligibility, application instructions and deadlines.

If you are not automatically enrolled in your required courses, you must enroll in all your Fall courses (required courses and electives, if applicable) during your enrolment period. Sometimes, if a student is admitted late or does not pay tuition on time to either the PLAB or PLAD program, MyServiceHub will not enroll you in your courses, leaving you with an empty timetable.

First-year PLAB/PLAD students fall within the priority enrollment for first-year students. Second-year PLAB/PLAD students fall within the priority enrollment for second-year students.

You can register with Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) as soon as your TMU email address is activated. To guarantee accommodations for the current semester, start the registration process early. Visit the AAS registration page for detailed steps on how to register.

Submit your transfer credit application as soon as you have accepted your offer of admission. Please visit the Transfer Credits webpage for information on eligibility, application instructions and deadlines.

Your Academic Standing at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is calculated at the end of each academic term when you are enrolled in courses (for undergraduate and graduate students) and at the end of each academic year when you are enrolled in courses (for law students). It is an indication of your overall academic performance in your program of study, by term, in your program of study.

Your Academic Standing determines whether you can continue in your studies, and reflects grade point averages, course grades and any Academic Standing Variations approved for your program. Your eligibility to register in courses may be impacted by your Academic Standing.

If you are sick or can't complete an assignment or exam due to extenuating circumstances you need to submit an Academic Consideration Request (ACR). (opens in new window)   In addition to submitting an ACR, you should let your instructor(s) know that you are not able to complete your assignment or exam and have submitted an ACR request for review.

Academic Consideration requests (with or without documentation) are for periods that are of a short-term duration (normally no more than 3 days; see Section 5.2), that have a significant and adverse effect on a student’s ability to fulfill an academic requirement. 

Alternate arrangements may only be approved by the course faculty/contract lecturer.  The type of alternate arrangement available will be based on the faculty/contract lecturer's consideration of the severity of the student’s circumstances, the impact on the student’s academic performance, and the amount of work that will be affected.  Alternate arrangements should be consistent with the guidelines found in Policy 166: Course Management.  Students receiving academic considerations must meet all essential academic requirements and standards of the program.

Examples of possible alternate arrangements could be:

(a) extension of a deadline;
(b) rescheduling or reweighting of a test, exam or assignment; or
(c) assignment of an Incomplete grade (INC)* 

*Per Policy 170(a), Procedures, Section 3.1. Students must petition their faculty/contract lecturer by completing the  (PDF file)  (PDF file) Incomplete Grade Request Form to receive an INC designation, within 3 (three) working days, or as soon as reasonably possible, of the missed final examination or assignment deadline. Supporting documentation (e.g. Toronto Metropolitan Health Certificate) must be provided.

Academic consideration is a form of alternate arrangement that may be made with the approval of the course faculty/contract lecturer, when a student experiences extenuating circumstances that prevents them from completing an academic requirement. 

An incomplete academic requirement can include (but is not limited to); the ability to attend a class or classes, participation in lab work, writing a scheduled term test or exam, and/or not meeting an assignment deadline.  

Academic Consideration requests (with or without documentation) are for periods that are of a short-term duration (normally no more than 3 days; see Section 5.2), that have a significant and adverse effect on a student’s ability to fulfill an academic requirement. 

Alternate arrangements may only be approved by the course faculty/contract lecturer.  The type of alternate arrangement available will be based on the faculty/contract lecturer's consideration of the severity of the student’s circumstances, the impact on the student’s academic performance, and the amount of work that will be affected.  Alternate arrangements should be consistent with the guidelines found in Policy 166: Course Management.  Students receiving academic considerations must meet all essential academic requirements and standards of the program.

Examples of possible alternate arrangements could be:

(a) extension of a deadline;
(b) rescheduling or reweighting of a test, exam or assignment; or
(c) assignment of an Incomplete grade (INC)* 

*Per Policy 170(a), Procedures, Section 3.1. Students must petition their faculty/contract lecturer by completing the  (PDF file)  (PDF file) Incomplete Grade Request Form to receive an INC designation, within 3 (three) working days, or as soon as reasonably possible, of the missed final examination or assignment deadline. Supporting documentation (e.g. Toronto Metropolitan Health Certificate) must be provided.

Yes! Toronto Metropolitan Association of Planning Students (TMAPS) is the undergraduate student course union. They are a group of passionate, hardworking, and accomplished planning students that strive for re-imagining the world of urban and regional planning. They take pride in giving back to our community and are always looking for ways to provide academic support to students in the program.

Studio refers to a series of required courses that provide students with challenging and rewarding opportunities to put theory into practice through project-based learning. Studio courses are PLG 220 Planning Studio I, PLG 320 Planning Studio II, PLG 420 Land Use Planning Studio I, PLG 520 Land Use Planning Studio II, PLG 620 Advanced Planning Studio I, and PLG 720 Advanced Planning Studio II.

Through studio, you'll have the opportunity to work on a team and under the supervision of a faculty member on projects that respond to the needs of outside agencies and firms in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Taking on projects for community-based clients will further develop your knowledge and skills, make valuable professional contacts and explore possible career paths.

Field trip courses happen in the third and fourth year of the PLAN program, and both years in the PLAD/PLAB program. They give you a chance to engage with planning in a different city, either within Canada or overseas. These trips typically happen in October and allow you to explore new environments while applying your skills in real-world settings.

You’ll work with your peers and faculty, prepare beforehand, attend briefings, conduct on-site research, and create a report on planning issues related to the places you visit. It’s a hands-on experience that helps you see planning from a new perspective and deepen your understanding of the field.

For more information on field trip courses, please visit the Course Planning page.

Yes, third or fourth-year students in the PLAN program and PLAD/PLAD students can complete either a field placement or field internship during their degree.

Students are placed at a planning agency or community organization for a field placement (PLE 785), spending one to two days a week applying their knowledge to real-world planning issues. Note that field placements are unpaid, and you can only participate in one for academic credit.

Alternatively, field internships (PLE 780) offer the opportunity to earn credit for relevant paid work experience outside the university. These internships must be related to urban planning, and students are responsible for finding their own internships.

For more information on eligibility and criteria for field placements and internships, please visit the Course Planning page.