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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:
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.
Then in addition,
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:
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:
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:
You must choose:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
For students of all specializations, the department offers a variety of field courses, as well as the opportunity for co-op studies.