Course Offerings

ES101: Introduction to Environmental Studies

A multidisciplinary introduction to environmental studies with an emphasis on natural resources and environmental conditions. Topics may include ecological systems, sustainability, environmental worldviews and ethics, economic systems, and policy and decision-making. Canadian and international examples are discussed.

GG101: Introduction to Physical Geography (either in-class or online)

Topics include weather and climate, hydrology, geomorphology and biogeography. Laboratory exercises address geographic methods and techniques and illustrate human-environment relations through case studies.

GG102: Introduction to Human Geography

Topics include population and development, cartography and GIS, economic geography, cultural geography and political geography. In laboratory exercises, students learn methods and techniques used by geographers.

GL101: The Anatomy of the Earth

This course provides an introduction to the geological processes operating inside Earth. Topics include the identification of minerals and rocks, their structural arrangement and tectonic processes responsible for their global distributions. Human use of earth materials and the environmental impact of geophysical processes will also be addressed. 

GESC251: Cartography

An introduction to the theory, practice and critique of cartography, emphasizing the basics that should be understood by all map users and map makers. Topics will include: the history of mapping, the purpose of maps, mental mapping, cartographic design, map projections, thematic map types, online mapping and virtual globes.

GESC254: Geographic Information and Analysis

This course provides hands-on experience with the application of computers in geography and environmental studies to the manipulation, analysis and graphic presentation of geographic information. Students are introduced to elementary descriptive statistics and to techniques of exploratory data analysis as well as to geographic information and its properties, acquisition and analysis.

GESC290: Global Resource and Environmental Issues

A multidisciplinary introduction to the administrative, management and conceptual context for resource and environmental management, introducing topics such as environmental governance, systems approaches, and environmental thought, drawing on a few in-depth cases from across Canada.

GESC291: Development and the Environment

An examination of the forms and challenges of development, and its interactions with the natural environment, in local, rural, and remote contexts in Canada and internationally. Socio-political, economic and ecological perspectives will be used to understand change in the context of land, water and forest resources, agriculture and food security, coastal environments, rural livelihoods and urban systems.

GG231: Risks and Disasters (online only)

The course examines the nature of danger and disasters, the scope of the human vulnerability and responses to them. It will look at risk and damaging events associated with extreme natural forces, technological accidents, epidemic diseases and human conflict.

GG265: Experiencing the City

A human geographical perspective to how we learn and experience the city. A range of topics are examined including urban imageability, cityscapes, public spaces, place attachment, public transit, way finding and walkability.

GG272: Sex, Death & City: Population Geography

In this course, students will examine the factors underlying global population change including fertility (sex), mortality (patterns of death and disease) and migration (especially linked to urbanization). The course material will illustrate these issues at the global, national and regional scale.

GG281: Atmosphere and Hydrosphere

This course systematically examines the major concepts of climatology and hydrology. (Physical Geography)

GESC391: Wildlife and Rural Land Resources Management

The study and application of techniques of use to the geographer in the management of forestry, range and farmland species of wildlife. Included will be discussions on conflicts in land use and private versus public forms of management.

GESC399: Third Year Field Studies

This course provides an introduction to field research. Students will work in the classroom learning how to design, undertake and report on a comprehensive research project. Data will be collected outside the local region and this will involve extended field research.

GG300F: Indigenous Ecological Knowledge

This course addresses the need to harmonize Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges, especially as they relate to environmental thought and management. This harmonization process of the development of environmental management strategies are more likely to promote responsible and respectful relationships with the environment over the long term. 

GG333: Field Surveying

The course begins with basic measurement of vertical and horizontal angles, differential and profile levelling, closed traverse and total station surveying, coordinate geometry, and topographic surveys. The students are then introduced to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) based surveying methods. Students will gain practical experience in the use of automatic and laser levels, theodolites, total station, RTK GPS systems, and UAV.

GG336: Coastal Processes and Landforms

The course provides students with knowledge of the processes active in the coastal environment. Waves, tides and currents and their effects on the development of landforms on hard and soft coastlines will be the focus of study. (Physical Geography)

GG361: Spatial Analysis

This course provides an introduction to the characteristics of different types of spatial data and examines how they may be represented and analyzed. Emphasis is placed on procedures which can be implemented in a GIS environment and on their application to real world problems.

GG365: Canadian Urban Spaces

This course examines the social, economic, political and environmental processes affecting the Canadian urban system and the internal structure of cities.

GG369: Geographical Information Systems

The purpose of this course is to develop skills and knowledge in concepts and techniques of GIS by studying its application to a variety of geographic and environmental problems (e.g., resource management, crime, business, public facilities, health and disease). For each application, the topics studied include the sources and properties of the data contained in the GIS, the functions and analysis used in the application, as well as the types and uses of graphic, tabular and data products of the application. Students will gain hands-on experience in the use of GIS software including ArcGIS.

GG381: Hydrology

An overview of hydrological processes with emphasis on Canadian examples; the hydrological cycle; surface hydrology; groundwater hydrology; measurement techniques. (Physical Geography) 

GESC450: Thesis

Directed study and research on a topic appropriate to the student's specialization presented in formal written form.

GESC451: Field Studies

GESC493: Land Resource Management

An in-depth study of land use problems of interest and significance to the geographer specializing in the resources management field of geography. Using the seminar approach, the course will include discussion of the social, economic, ecological and political implication of land use conflicts and issues.

GG465: Capstone Urban Sustainability Fall/Winter 2017-2018

In this capstone course students will work on a project within a problem-based learning context that deals with aspects of urban planning and development. Students will research, analyze and resolve a local issue identified by a community partner and propose solutions grounded in principles of sustainability. 

Projects differ each year and have included the assessment of downtown streetscape improvements, heritage mapping, and the repurposing of places of worship.  At the end of the course, your team will be invited to compete in front of a panel of planning practitioners and will be adjudicated on the basis of your professional practice.  Cash prizes are awarded.

GG481: Seminar on Cold Regions

This course examines periglacial, permafrost, hydrological and oceanographic processes active in the cold regions ecosystems. (Physical Geography)

ES101: Intro to Environmental Studies (Online only)

A multidisciplinary introduction to environmental studies with an emphasis on natural resources and environmental conditions. Topics may include ecological systems, sustainability, environmental worldviews and ethics, economic systems, and policy and decision-making. Canadian and international examples are discussed.

ES102: Environmental Problems (either in-class or online)

A multidisciplinary introduction to selected environmental systems and issues, with an emphasis on approaches to solving environmental problems. Topics may include water resources, climate change and atmospheric pollution, agricultural systems, forest and wildlife management and sustainable cities. Canadian and international examples are discussed.

GG101: Introduction to Physical Geography

This course provides an introduction to physical geography. Topics include weather and climate, hydrology, geomorphology and biogeography. Laboratory exercises address geographic methods and techniques and illustrate human-environment relations through case studies.

GG102: Intro To Human Geography (either in-class or online)

This course provides an introduction to human geography. Topics include population and development, cartography and GIS, economic geography, cultural geography and political geography. In laboratory exercises, students learn methods and techniques used by geographers.

GL102: The Surface of Earth

This course provides an introduction to the shape of Earth’s surface resulting from internal and external geological processes acting at varying scales. Climatic and human interactions with these processes will also be discussed.

GESC258: Geographical Research Methods

Research design, data collection, sampling and the application of descriptive and univariate inferential statistics in spatial studies.

GESC290: Enviro Concepts and Approaches (Online only)

A multidisciplinary introduction to the administrative, management and conceptual context for resource and environmental management, introducing topics such as environmental governance, systems approaches, and environmental thought, drawing on a few in-depth cases from across Canada.

GG201: North American Transborder Region

This course will present an overview of key transborder regions within the larger North American region. The course will consider the physical, socio-economic and political geography of specific regions on the Canada-U.S and U.S.-Mexico borders. (Cross-listed as NO201)(For students registered in GG201, this course is considered a 'Canada' course.)

GG231: Risks and Disasters (Online only)

The course examines the nature of danger and disasters, the scope of the human vulnerability and responses to them. It will look at risk and damaging events associated with extreme natural forces, technological accidents, epidemic diseases and human conflict.

GG260: Geography and the Global Economy

The course will examine our role as consumers to understand changes in the geography of the global economy. Issues explored will draw upon various examples including anti-sweatshop movement, second hand goods, fair trade, buycotting, hyper-consumption and the role of social processes in the circulation, use and demand for commodities.

GG265: Experiencing the City

A human geographical perspective to how we learn and experience the city. A range of topics are examined including urban imageability, cityscapes, public spaces, place attachment, public transit, way finding and walkability.

GG271: Temporal Perspectives (Online only)

A study of changing geography of the city in cross-cultural context including the historical development of urban morphologies in specific cultural settings, the spatial expression of the cultural role of cities and development of urban networks.

GG 273: Geography of Health & Disease

This course introduces theories, concepts, methods and public health issues pertaining to the geographies of health, illness and disease, including the emergence of new infectious diseases.

GG282: Geomorphology and Soils

This course examines the characteristics of landforms and soils and the processes that are responsible for their development. Emphasis is placed on examples from Canada. (Physical Geography).

GESC360: Research Methods and Thesis Preparation

Introduces skills for independently conducting geographic research, including problem identification, literature review, hypothesis generation, concept mapping, research design, ethics, and proper choice of field/lab/analytical methods, culminating in the writing of a thesis proposal.

GESC398: Parks and Protected Areas

The study of major geographic aspects of world fresh water supply and demand.

GG351: Thematic Cartography/Geovisualization

An elaboration on cartographic principles with an emphasis given to designing thematic maps as part of a communication system. Topics will include map visualization and communication, treatment and exploration of cartographic data, elements of thematic map design, terrain models, ethics and uncertainty, map animation and virtual mapping.

GG354: The Canadian North (Online only)

This course examines the geographical factors that make the Canadian North a unique region. Physical, economic and cultural/historical themes will be considered in light of current environmental and social issues. (Online Learning course)

GG370: Geographies of Violence

This course explores the relationship between politics, space, and violence. Students will examine how power is exercised through control of space and learn about key themes in political geography: territoriality, geopolitics, conflict, displacement, borders, and nationalism.

GG385: Natural Environments

This course is an in-depth examination of geoecology, the distribution and geophysical characteristics of habitats: relation to energy, moisture and materials availability and circulations; ecosystemic properties of the major biomes; concept of the "natural regions''; background to the distribution of natural resources and hazards. (Physical Geography)

GG389: Climate Change

This course examines the natural and anthropogenic means by which global climate changes. (Physical Geography)

GESC450: Thesis

Directed study and research on a topic appropriate to the student's specialization presented in formal written form.

GESC 494: Northern Resources & Environ.

An examination of northern ecosystems and environments in the context of resources management. The primary focus is on Canada and Alaska.

GG 465: Capstone Urban Sustainability fall 2018 and winter 2019

In this capstone course students will work on a project within a problem-based learning context that deals with aspects of urban planning and development. Students will research, analyze and resolve a local issue identified by a community partner and propose solutions grounded in principles of sustainability.

Students from previous years tell us about the following highlights of their Capstone Urban Sustainability Project (CUSP) experience:

learning involves a combination of in-class workshops, field-based research in the city, team collaboration, independent research, and presentations both to professionals and to the public
professional development workshops are led by practicing planners, developers, lawyers, and experts in the assigned project
problem-solving requires students to apply interdisciplinary approaches that draw on skills from across different specializations
through multiple field experiences students discover and become familiar with the local community
practical experience is gained in the issues and practices of urban planning
student work is judged by planning professionals

In GG465 you will undertake a year-long consultation with our community partner, the City of Cambridge, Ontario. Collaborating with others in your consulting team, you will seek to resolve an aspect of urban planning and development with a solution grounded in principles of sustainability and professional practice. Your team will bring together skills in project management, written communication, graphic design, mapping, public speaking, research analysis, and community engagement. Projects differ each year and have included the assessment of downtown streetscape improvements, heritage mapping, and the repurposing of places of worship. At the end of the course, your team will be invited to compete in front of a panel of planning practitioners and will be adjudicated on the basis of your professional practice. Cash prizes are awarded.

For first-hand accounts of CUSP check out the following video: Capstone Urban Sustainability Project

CUSP and the C3 Innovation Labs:

The Capstone Urban Sustainability Project (GG465) is an experiential learning and lab-styled course. The course is a key partner with the C3 Innovation Labs (C3IL), which offer the use of specialized facilities, coaching resources and collaborative initiatives and experiences. Explore the opportunities and possibilities available to you through C3 Innovation Labs!

LEARN MORE AT: wlu.ca/c3-innovation

GG468 Advanced Spatial Analysis

An examination of a selection of techniques which can be used in association with GIS to undertake spatial analysis. Emphasis will be placed on the application of the techniques to real world problems.

GG469: Advanced Geographical Information Systems

An examination of selected geographical information systems and their applications. Under the direction of the instructor, students will undertake a GIS application project.

GG474: Seminar in Cultural Geography

In this seminar course, students will investigate a selection of sociospatial processes and transformations pertinent to everyday experiences.

GG489: Paleoclimatology

This course surveys methods and applications in the reconstruction of past climate and environments.

GG499V: Cold Regions Eco-Hydrology – Hoarfrost River Homestead

The Cold Regions Research Centre (CRRC) at Laurier is offering an intensive field-based course on the physical principles of cold regions eco-hydrology and water resources. Factors governing eco-hydrological processes in cold regions landscapes will be discussed including precipitation, interception, energy balance, snow accumulation and redistribution by wind, plant physiology, plant-snow interactions, over-winter moisture redistribution in vegetation, snow and soil properties, and coastal/lake processes. Each will be framed within the context of the subarctic Boreal Shield, a distinctly Canadian landscape. Students will be exposed to an overview of each subject, with recent scientific findings and new cutting edge theories, tools and techniques. Admission into this courses is restricted and an application is required please see our fieldwork  page for details.