Unique course opportunities
In addition to electives and special topics courses, there are other “out-of-the-box” study opportunities available to you at Rotman Commerce. Feel free to reach out to an academic advisor to discuss how these might fit into your study plans.
If you want to explore a topic beyond the normal course options to complement your studies, you can apply to earn a half or full credit through an independent study course (ISC).
Independent study courses involve working with a faculty expert and researching a topic of your choice on material that is not covered in one of our regularly offered RSM or RSM special topics courses.
If you’re interested in an ISC, you need to find a Rotman School of Management faculty member who has expertise in the area of your research and is willing to supervise your work. You will need to propose a research topic, course outline and evaluation and submit this as an application for approval.
RSM independent study courses are open to third and fourth-year Rotman Commerce students who have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.70 (B-) or higher. You should also have completed introductory courses in the area in which you wish to conduct your research.
MGT independent study courses are open to third and fourth-year Faculty of Arts and Science students who have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.70 (B-) or higher. You should also have completed introductory courses in the area in which you wish to conduct your research.
RSM ISC Application (Rotman Commerce students only)
MGT ISC Application (Faculty of Arts and Science students only)
Application deadlines:
- Fall – August 15
- Winter – December 15
- Summer – April 15
Questions? Email rotmancommerce.info@utoronto.ca
U of T’s deep urban expertise is tackling the future of cities. The School of Cities is where educators, institutions, practitioners and the public engage in research, education and outreach to drive forward new city solutions – and shared prosperity for all citizens.
The Multidisciplinary Urban Capstone Design (MUCP) course is a unique, full academic year capstone design course. All projects are sourced from cities, community groups and non-governmental organizations for whom the project addresses a real urban need, and requires a multidisciplinary approach to solve.
Each project is assigned to a team of fourth-year undergraduate students drawn from different disciplines (the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering; John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design; Department of Geography and Planning; and Rotman Commerce). Student teams work through a creative, iterative, and open-ended design process to design solutions to meet client needs. Successfully completing the project requires that students integrate skills and knowledge from across multiple disciplines.
The MUCP is designed for exceptional fourth-year students who are looking for a unique, challenging capstone design experience.
Application for 2025-26: Now Closed
The MUCP course code for RC students is: RSM403Y1 (the credit counts as an RSM elective)
Learn more about the School of Cities’ Multidisciplinary Urban Capstone Project (MUCP) course and how to apply.
This is the capstone course of the focus “Managing in Diverse Economies”. It is designed to synthesize student learning from the focus, providing an opportunity for students to build on, analyze and apply what they have learned from other chosen courses of the focus. Because the focus itself is broad, students may have taken courses in African, Caribbean and/or Indigenous Studies. This course enables students to pursue further depth in an area of interest.
Prerequisite: 9.0 credits completed
Corequisite: ECO324H1/ ECO367H1/ ECO403H1/ POL201H1/ POL223H1
Please complete the following form to enrol: (Available in June, 2026)
Questions? Email rotmancommerce.info@utoronto.ca
Students enrolled in RSM480H1 – Business in a Global Economy will have an opportunity to submit an application to participate in a trade mission with a Canadian company working to enter a foreign market. If selected, students will earn an additional 0.5 credit as a CR (no grade will be assigned) through RSM489H1 offered concurrently with RSM480H1. (Updated August 15, 2025)
Prerequisite: RSM333H1; Completion of 9.0 credits
May be applied to the following focus: International Business – requirement #2.
Trade Mission Opportunities in 2025-26 (Subject to change):
Application for 2025-26 will open shortly after the first class in September 2025.
Note: Students considering to apply for this opportunity should review syllabi of courses being taken during the term of the trade mission. It is the students’ responsibility to assess whether they can dedicate the time to this opportunity in addition to managing other course deliverables.
Questions? Email rotmancommerce.info@utoronto.ca
(Updated April 27, 2026)
**Applications for 2026-27** – Now Open! Click here to access application.
Application deadline: Sunday, May 31st at 11:59PM EST
CDL Advanced Information Session
Listen to the April 24th virtual info session!
Any students with questions about the course can contact Andrew Metcalfe, Program Manager CDL-Toronto.
About the CDL Advanced Course
CDL Advanced is a hands-on, theory-guided course about high-growth entrepreneurship. Students learn the theory of startup strategy, pricing, scaling, and financing, and then apply this theory by working closely with early-stage technology ventures in the CDL program. In addition to their direct work with a CDL venture, students participate in CDL-Toronto meetings which offers them the opportunity to observe and interact with experienced entrepreneurs and investors. The goal is simple: a successful student will leave the CDL program equipped to work in the startup world.
Students must submit an application to join the CDL Advanced Course. Successful applicants will be contacted in early June to confirm their participation in the course.
Prerequisite: RSM392H1 and completion of 14.0 credits
Format: Year-long course, 1.0 FCE – September to April
About the Creative Destruction Lab
The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) within the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto’s business school, is a program for early-stage massively scalable, science-based start-ups. Since its launch in 2012, over 6,000 founders representing more than 2,300 companies have participated in the program. The successful commercialization of cutting-edge science achieved through the program has led to the creation of over $24 billion in equity value.
More information about the Creative Destruction Lab.
