Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers five different degrees in Physical and Human Geography, a BSc degree in Environmental Science and a BSc degree in Water Science and Environmental Health, as well as a BA degree in Environmental Studies.
To deepen your professional preparation, you can also focus on one or several fields of expertise:
- physical geography
- human geography
- GIS and geomatics
- health geography
- tourism
- environmental and resource management
Program Pathways
The program pathways below will provide you a better understanding of your academic experience and what you can expect in your program.
The Honours Geography program is our broadest course of study. The program consists of courses that span all areas of geography and progresses from broad introductory first year courses through to specialized fourth year courses.
There is the opportunity in this program for you to make choices to study in the area of Geography that interests you most. Of all the programs in our department, this one offers the greatest choice.
Year 1: Introduction to Geography and University Learning
- Take both of our first year Geography courses,
- Choose any courses from any area (electives) on campus to fill out your first year. A typical load of courses is five per term.
Year 2: Build a Solid Foundation in Geography
- Foundational courses from geographic techniques,
- Economic geography,
- Cultural geography,
- Physical geography,
- Resource and environmental courses.
- In addition, you select two elective courses from any area of the university.
Year 3: Become More Focused in Your Area of Interest in Geography
- Participating in the required field camp where you have the opportunity to apply some of your skills learned in the second year techniques courses.
- Selecting at least one additional 300 level technical course from a group.
- Choosing a 300 or 400 level Geography course in the area of geography that interests you.
- Choosing two senior (200 level or higher) Geography courses with an economic, cultural, or environmental focus.
- Choosing two courses from any area in the university, this might include geography but could be from other areas as well.
- Taking three courses outside of Geography because this program requires that you obtain a breadth of knowledge.
Year 4: Focus on Senior Courses
- Choosing either to complete a thesis, or selecting two 400 level Geography courses.
Then in addition,
- Choosing four Geography courses at the 300 or 400 level.
- Choosing one course that might be Geography or something else.
- Choosing three courses from outside of Geography.
Progression
To progress to second year, you must obtain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.00 in your first year Geography courses and in your first year Geology courses.
To progress to upper years, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 5.00 in Geography and a 5.00 overall. For graduation, a cumulative GPA of 7.00 in GG courses and a 5.0 GPA overall is required.
Official requirements are found in the Academic Calendar.
This program allows you to focus on our natural environment.
The program:
- Consists of courses that give you a foundation in Environmental Geography and a focus on the natural environment, resources, policy and management.
- Is built around a core of foundational environment and geography courses with electives to be taken from two lists.
List one includes courses in geography that have an environmental theme or focus and List two is made up of courses from outside of Geography with a similar focus. These lists are found in the online calendar.
You have to take 8.5 credits (usually 17 courses) from the core courses:
- All first year (100 level) Environmental Studies and Geography courses
- Foundational second year (200 level) courses from geographic techniques
- Environmental Concepts and Approaches and Introduction to Sustainability at the 200 level
- Foundational physical geography courses at the 200 level
- Field Course in third year
- Two third year (300 level) Environmental Studies courses
- One 300 level techniques course
- One 300 level physical geography course
You must choose 2.5 credits from the 300-400 level and at least 1.0 credit must be from 400 level GG or ES courses.
You must choose six credits selected from outside of Geography and Environmental Studies.
Official requirements are found in the Academic Calendar.
This program allows you to complete a degree that spans two distinct areas within the Faculty of Arts. Because other programs have required courses that might be available only in alternating years, this program is laid out as a series of requirements rather than in a year by year progression.
The requirements include:
1. Both of our first year Geography courses and we recommend that they be taken in the first year.
2. 200 level courses (typically taken in second year):
· Foundational courses from geographic techniques,
· Economic geography,
· Cultural geography,
· Physical geography,
· Resource and environmental courses.
3. 300 level courses (typically taken in third year):
· The required field camp where you have the opportunity to apply some of your skills learned in the second year techniques courses.
· Select at least one additional 300 level technical course from a group.
· Choose two senior (200 level or higher) Geography courses with an economic, cultural, or environmental focus.
4. 400 level courses (typically taken in fourth year):
· Choose either to complete a thesis, or select a full credit of 400 level Geography courses.
5. Grade Point Average in Geography courses and in the other major’s courses must be maintained at 5.00 or above to progress from year to year and must be 7.00 to graduate.
Official requirements are found in the Academic Calendar.
This program allows you to focus on our natural environment through the study of Physical Geography and Biology. The program is built around a core of foundational environmental and geography courses with electives to be taken from prescribed groupings. The groups of elective courses are outlined in the online calendar.
You have to take 10.5 credits (usually 21 courses) from the core courses:
- All first year (100 level) Environmental Studies, Geology 102 and Geography 101 courses
- First year Biology (Biological Diversity and Evolution)
- First year Chemistry (2 courses)
- Calculus for the Natural Sciences (2 courses)
- Foundational second year (200 level) courses from geographic techniques
- Environmental Concepts and Approaches
- Foundational physical geography courses at the 200 level
- Communication and Critical Thinking Skills in Biology
- Environmental Atmospheric Chemistry and Environmental Aquatic Chemistry
- Geography Field Course in third year
- Four Second Year (200 level)Biology or Chemistry courses from a list
- One third year (300 level) Environmental Studies, Geography, or Biology course from a list
- Either an Honours Thesis in Environmental Science or a choice of two additional courses (one from either Group A or B and the second from any of Group C, D, or E).
You must choose:
- Two course from Group A: a list of Physical Geography courses
- Two courses from Group B: a list of Geographic Field and Lab techniques courses
- One course from Group C: a list of third year (300) level Biology or Chemistry courses
- Two courses from Group D: a list of third year (300) level Biology (toxicology and ecology) courses
- Two courses from Group E: fourth year (400) level Biology courses.
Seven Elective courses are to be chosen from anywhere in the university. At least one course must be chosen from outside of the Faculty of Science and outside of Geography and Environmental Studies.
Official requirements are found in the Academic Calendar.
This program allows you to combine interests in geography and computing skills. It is similar to our Honours BSc, but focuses on courses that develop skills and knowledge of GIS and spatial science.
Year 1: Introduction to Geography and University Learning
- Take both of our first year Geography courses
- Take both of our first year Geology courses.
- Take two first year prescribed computing courses.
- Take two courses from a specified list of Biology, Chemistry or Physics courses
- Take two Mathematics courses from a list of approved courses
Year 2: Build a Solid Foundation in Geography
- Foundational courses from geographic techniques,
- Economic geography,
- Cultural geography,
- Physical geography,
- Resource and environmental courses.
- In addition, you select one course from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and one elective course from any area of the university outside of Geography.
Year 3: Become More Focused in Your Area of Interest in Geography
- Participating in the required field camp where you have the opportunity to apply some of your skills learned in the second year techniques courses.
- Selecting four 300 and 400 level courses from a list of technical courses.
- Choosing two courses from a list of physical geography courses.
- Selecting one course from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and two elective courses from any area of the university outside of Geography.
Year 4: Focus on Senior Courses
- Either a thesis or two Geography courses at the 400 level
- One course from a list of 400 level physical geography courses
- Two courses from a list of 300 and 400 level physical geography courses
- One course from a list of GIS/spatial analysis courses
- One course from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and two elective courses from any area of the university other than Geography.
- One course either from Geography or from any other area
Progress in Your Program
To progress to second year, you must obtain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.00 in your first year Geography courses and in your first year Geology courses to progress to second year.
To progress to upper years, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 5.00 in Geography and a 5.00 overall.
For graduation, a cumulative GPA of 7.00 in GG courses and a 5.0 GPA overall is required.
Official requirements are found in the Academic Calendar.
This program focuses on Geoscience. With careful selection of elective courses, you will be eligible to seek registration as a Professional Geoscientist when you have completed this program. This registration will allow you to work as a registered professional Environmental Geoscientist in the province of Ontario. You are strongly encouraged to consult an academic advisor in the department on how to achieve this goal. As well you are encouraged to review the Professional Geoscience curriculum and registration requirements at https://www.apgo.net/forstudents.
Year 1: Introduction to Geography and University Learning
- Take both of our first year Geography courses
- Take both of our first year Geology courses.
- Take four courses from a specified list of Biology, Chemistry or Physics courses
- Take two courses of Mathematics from a list of approved courses
Year 2: Build a Solid Foundation in Geography
- Foundational courses from geographic techniques,
- Economic geography,
- Cultural geography,
- Physical geography,
- Resource and environmental courses.
- In addition, you select one course from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and one elective course from any area of the university outside of Geography.
Year 3: Become More Focused in Your Area of Interest in Geography
- Participating in the required field camp where you have the opportunity to apply some of your skills learned in the second year techniques courses.
- Selecting three 300 level courses from a group of technical courses.
- Choosing two courses from a list of physical geography courses.
- Selecting one course from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and two elective courses from any area of the university outside of Geography.
- Selecting one course either from Geography or from any other area.
Year 4: Focus on Senior Courses
- One course from a list of 400-level courses
- Two courses from a list of 300 and 400 level courses
- One course from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and two elective courses from any area of the university outside of Geography.
- Either a thesis or two Geography courses at the 400-level
- Two courses either from Geography or from any other area
Progress in Your Program
To progress to second year, you must obtain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.00 in your first year Geography courses and in your first year Geology courses.
To progress to upper years, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 5.00 in Geography and a 5.00 overall.
For graduation, a cumulative GPA of 7.00 in GG courses and a 5.0 GPA overall is required.
Official requirements are found in the Academic Calendar.
This program combines Archaeology with Geoscience. With careful selection of elective courses, you will be eligible to work as a Professional Archaeologist when you have completed this program.
Year 1: Introduction to Geography, Archaeology and University Learning
- Take both first year Archaeology courses
- Take both of our first year Geography courses
- Take both of our first year Geology courses.
- Take two courses from a specified list of Biology or Chemistry courses
- Take two courses of Mathematics
Year 2: Build a Solid Foundation in Geography
- Foundational courses from geographic techniques,
- Physical geography
- Archaeology field course
- Two courses from a list of Archaeology electives.
- In addition, you select one course from Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics
Year 3: Become More Focused in Your Area of Interest in Geography and Archaeology
- You take Cultural Resource Management in Archaeology and Archaeological Science
- Selecting three 300 level courses from a group of technical courses.
- Choosing two courses from a list of physical geography courses.
- Choosing three courses from a list of Archaeology electives
- Selecting one course from Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics
Year 4: Focus on Senior Courses
- You select either a Geography thesis or a Research project in Archaeology
- Two courses from a list of 300 and 400 level courses
- One course from a list of methods courses
- Three courses from a list of Archaeology electives
- One course from Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics
- One course of elective (from anywhere in the university)
Progress in Your program
To progress to second year, you must obtain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.00 in your first year Geography and Archaeology courses.
To progress to upper years, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 5.00 in Geography and in Archaeology and a 5.00 overall.
For graduation, a cumulative GPA of 7.00 in Geography and Archaeology courses and a 5.0 GPA overall is required.
Official requirements are found in the Academic Calendar.
Enhance Your Program
Students looking for a further specialization are able to advance their studies with our internationally respected faculty. For example, the department plays a leadership role in the Cold Regions Research Centre, an internationally recognized centre for arctic and mountain research. Geography also has strong links to the International Migration Research Centre where researchers debate and analyze policy related to international migration and mobility. Other research opportunities can be accessed through our various research centres and institutes.
Similarly, in the field of Human Geography, students can pursue four different specializations, each with their dedicated set of courses from first to fourth year:
- Urban and Economic Spaces;
- Landscapes and Identity;
- Tourism and Travel Behaviour; and
- Regional Geographies of Canada.
For students of all specializations, the department offers a variety of field courses, as well as the opportunity for co-op studies.