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PLAN 350Research Methods for Planners

Units
0.50
Faculty
Environment
Subject
Planning

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course develops the capacity of students to apply research methods to planning-related issues. Examination of a variety of alternative approaches to designing and conducting research. Students learn how to become informed consumers and producers of planning-related research.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
        • GDS281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
        • PLAN281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (0.50)
      • Must have completed the following:

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • ENBUS306 - Research Design (0.50)
    • ERS302 - Research Methods and Design (0.50)
    • INTEG340 - Research Design and Methods (0.50)

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Reviewed on UW Flow

15% liked it45% easy45% useful

From 20 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Brutal class, unbelievably boring. Prof Mitchell really tried her hardest but its just such a boring class. Should not be mandatory. Assignments are long and difficult.

    Aug 2026 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Worst non-PD course I've taken so far. The research bundle assignments were poorly written with vague instructions because they were probably AI generated. Evaluation and Feedback for the assignments was a tedious chore because peer scholar doesn't work properly. Also, FUCK PERUSALL. Had to use it in this course too. The prof probably AI generated the final test too because its written in the same format as the assignments. Between perusall, peer scholar, unclear assignments w/tedious evaluation + feedback portion, possibly AI generated assessments, and uninteresting content, avoid this course at all costs. The lectures are very skippable too.

    Aug 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • used to be a stats related course. now it's just vague bullshit thanks to Carrie Mitchell, a typical SJW vague arts prof. Vague arts is a term coined by our Urban Planning cohort to describe this kind of BS profs: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Vague%20Arts

    Jan 2019 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

One post or comment in 1 thread mentions PLAN 350, December 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2011

What's your most/least favourite course? 12 points, 77 comments

“Favourite: Algebra. MATH 135. Least Favourite: Linear Algebra. MATH 136. Frigging hate matrices. Tell us what your favourite/least favourite courses are and why! …”

u/chefboyohboy: “Favs: GEOG 201- Fluvial Geomorphology PLAN 309- Site Planning Studio Least: PLAN 350- Research Methods”

View on RedditRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar