UPD Thesis Guidelines
UPD Independent Thesis
Urban Planning and Urban Design students are not required by their degree to complete an Independent Thesis. The thesis project is an opportunity for students to pursue a design project which they have researched and developed independently. UPD students are required to declare their second-year course plans in the spring of their second semester. UPD students who declare Independent Thesis will be required to enroll in Thesis Prep (ADV-9204; 4-units) in the fall of their final year.
Independent Design Thesis (ADV-9302) is a full year commitment and carries a total of 12-units.
For MUP students, Independent Design Thesis satisfies the Project-Base Course requirements.
For MAUD/M(L)AUD students, Independent Design is taken in place of the fourth-semester Option Studio. Students who elect to pursue an Independent Thesis instead of an option studio in the spring term of second year may not petition to opt out of studio in the fall term.
Addendum: Open Source Thesis Guide at the GSD
UPD students must declare thesis by Monday, April 8th, 2019: UPD Thesis Declaration Form, UPD Petition to Pursue Alternative Thesis Preparation (optional)
Selected UPD theses are available through HOLLIS (Harvard Library), or as hard copy in the Loeb Design Library.
All final PDF theses must be submitted to the Thesis Director and Program Coordinator by no later than by 9:00 AM on May 18th. The Department reserves the right to withhold student grades until thesis materials are submitted.