Simon Fraser University's undergraduate students gain the knowledge and skills they need to effectively shape cities and urban life for the better with SFU's newest major, Urban Worlds. Directly addressing SFU’s priority to engage in global challenges and vision to advance an inclusive and sustainable future, urban-minded undergraduates can now put their passion for making positive change in our cities towards a degree.
Urban Worlds is a collaboration between the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Environment. This allows students two stream options to curate their studies:
- Foundation Year: students take courses together
- Years 2 & 3: students choose a stream focused on their areas of interest - Urban Studies (FASS) or Urban Change (FENV)
- Year 4: students reconnect for capstone projects
Students graduate together with a degree that will create opportunities for graduate studies as well as jobs and career pathways.
Learn more about the streams, program and course requirements, etc. here
Note: Students in Urban Worlds can also apply for admission to our Accelerated Master's Degree Program.
URB 101: What is a City?
Watch Professor Mei Lan Fang introduce URB 101.
The first course being offered in the Urban Worlds major is URB 101, What is a City? This class delves deep into the core question: what defines a city? It explores diverse perspectives, methodologies, and strategies aimed at enhancing urban environments with the guidance of passionate faculty and industry practitioners. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of cities and develop practical skills for real-world urban engagement when they take this course.
Career Opportunities
Urban Worlds students can pursue various career paths with the skills and knowledge they acquire. Here are just some of the careers that are available:
- urban and land-use planners
- senior managers in government
- construction
- transportation
- production utilities
- senior government managers and officials
- economic development
- sustainability
- business development officers
- market researchers and analysts
- emergency management
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