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Academics & Research

Two students collaborating in a classroom.

The global challenges of our time are complex. The university aspires to develop pathways for all students to access sustainability learning and research opportunities that will prepare them to identify, articulate and take action on challenges facing our world today. Our faculty members and researchers are teaching and studying sustainability through hundreds of courses, programs and research initiatives - making it easy for any student of any academic background to advance their sustainability knowledge and skills during their time here at the university.

Courses 

If you are interested in complimenting your degree with a sustainability focused or related course, take a look at over 500 offered to students in a wide variety of programs. For more information on a specific course, or to enroll, please contact the faculty or department directly. 

 (google doc) Course inventory list (external link) 

Degree Programs

At Toronto Metropolitan University, undergraduate sustainability programs include majors and minors offered by our faculties. The programs listed below are most relevant to students interested in sustainability. 

Major Programs

Minor Programs 

See which graduate programs will help you expand your skills and knowledge in a specific area of sustainability.

 

Enrol in a certificate through the Chang School of Continuing Education to increase your knowledge and credentials in a particular area of sustainability.

Certificate Programs

Course Series

 

Research

Toronto Metropolitan University has over 250 faculty members and is home to a number of research centres and institutes studying and innovating to solve sustainability issues ranging from energy solutions to global health. The Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation has created a database of TMU researchers that you can access on their website.

Specific groups that conduct sustainability focused research at TMU include:

Campus as a Living Lab

Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) projects integrate academic research and teaching with campus planning, infrastructure, operations and community engagement in order to respond to pressing environmental issues. If you are interested in coordinating with the Sustainability Office on a CLL project, please contact us.

Explore On-going and Past Campus Living Lab Projects

Road Salt Reduction

The Urban Water Research Centre and Facilities Management and Development (FMD) partnered with WWF-Canada on a road salt reduction project to create a more sustainable winter campus during the 2018-2019 winter season. Dr. Oswald and her research team analyzed the data that FMD had collected over the application period.

Urban Farm at TMU

In 2019, the Urban Farm at TMU Living Lab research platform was launched. The goal of the Living Lab is to mobilize strategic research priorities in green roof and rooftop farming technology by bringing together urban farmers, community members and academics to conduct interdisciplinary research. Learnings will be applied not only to academic research, but also to associated industries and community organizations in Toronto.

Smart Building Analytics

In 2020, Schneider Electric and TMU partnered to launch the Smart Building Analytics Living Lab - the first of its kind in Canada. The aim of the Living Lab is to provide TMU students access to tools for developing, testing and optimizing energy efficiency technologies and approaches within the field of building management.

Class Presentations

The Sustainability Office is available to deliver in-class presentations and guest lectures upon request to educate TMU students on a variety of sustainability topics and initiatives taking place on campus.