Department of Geography

Faculty of Social Sciences

Undergraduate Courses

All prerequisites will be strictly enforced.

GEOG 101A   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Environment, Society and Sustainability

Introduction to the functioning of the biosphere, the ways in which humans alter natural processes, environmental consequences of these alterations and the implications for sustainability. Topics include: energy flows, biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem structure and dynamics, pollution, global change, water resources, biodiversity, endangered species, protected areas, agriculture and food, forestry, marine resources, poverty and development and different worldviews. Potential for a sustainable society is discussed.

Note: Credit will be granted for only one of 101A, ES 101.

GEOG 222   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Introduction to Maps and GIS

Introduces techniques and fundamentals of spatial data and analysis. Topics include: scale, map interpretation, GPS and Geographic Information Systems.

Note: Open to students with credit in 202.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing.

GEOG 226   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Formerly: 321

Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography

Application of statistical techniques to geographic problems. Topics include hypothesis formulation, sampling strategies, parametric and nonparametric statistical tests, statistical models. All laboratory exercises are computer based.

Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 226, 321.

- See Credit Limit.

Prerequisites: 3 units of 100- or 200-level Geography or 3 units of 100- or 200-level EOS.

GEOG 352   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Introduction to the Geography of the Coastal Zone

Explores a wide variety of coastal topics from biophysical, ecological, and social-economic perspectives. Topics focus on coastal landscapes and communities that may include fundamentals of coastal oceanography, climate, biodiversity, water quality, fisheries, indigenous people, tourism and implications for management.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing.

GEOG 358   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Landscape Ecology

Landscape ecology emphasizes the interaction between spatial pattern and ecological processes. Focuses on the role of spatial heterogeneity across a range of scales. Focus is on the role of spatial heterogeneity in affecting the distribution and abundance of organisms, mass and energy transfers, and alterations of this structure by natural or anthropogenic forces. Implications for resource management and conservation are discussed.

Note: 274 recommended.

Prerequisites: One of 272, 274, 276.

GEOG 388   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Formerly: 466

Regional Studies

Geography of a selected region of the world from a systematic perspective. Topics include: the physical and human landscape; settlement; economic, political and social geography; spatial variation in modernization and economic growth.

Notes: - Not open to students with credit in 466 without permission of the department. May be taken more than once for credit in different topics with permission of the department.

- (This is an off-campus course.)

Prerequisites: Second-year standing.

GEOG 391   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Topics in Geography

Examination of a specific topic or area in Geography. Topic(s) will be provided in advance of registration.

Note: May be taken more than once for credit in different topics.

GEOG 424   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Field Studies in Coastal Geomorphology

An advanced, field-based exploration of coastal geomorphic processes and landforms. Involves a week-long field trip to local coastal sites where students apply geomorphic concepts and methods towards a series of independent research assignments and/or group projects. Areas of investigation will span nearshore to backshore environments and wave, tidal, fluvial/estuarine, and aeolian processes. A field trip fee may be applied.

Prerequisites: 376 and one of 370, 372, 373, 374; permission of the department by 15 March of previous Winter Session.

GEOG 457   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Formerly: 455; 459A and 459B

Marine Protected Areas

An in-depth look at the challenges facing designation and management of marine protected areas in Canada and internationally. Includes topics such as network design, governance, zoning, conflicts, ecotourism and fisheries. Students should be prepared to undertake one or more field trips; a fee for each field trip may be applied.

Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 457, 455, 459A, 459B.

- (This is an off-campus course.)

Prerequisites: 352 or 357.

GEOG 474   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Formerly: 471A

Field Studies in Biogeography

A field-research course in biogeography based on a combination of reading, discussion, and data analysis. Involves a week-long field trip; a field trip fee may be applied.

Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 474, 471A.

- (This is an off-campus course.)

Prerequisites: 274; permission of the instructor by 15 March of previous Winter Session.

GEOG 499A   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Formerly: part of 499

Honours Thesis

Students will prepare the first part of an honours thesis under the direction of a faculty member from the department.

Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 499A and B, 499.

- 499A and B are "tied" courses and must be taken in consecutive terms except with permission of the department. Credit for 499B will be assigned only upon completion of both courses.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Geography Honours program, and fourth-year standing.

Grading: INP, letter grade (assigned upon completion of 499B; if 499B is not completed, a grade of N will be assigned to 499A)

GEOG 499B   Units: 1.5   Schedule

Formerly: part of 499

Honours Thesis

Students will complete their honours thesis under the direction of a faculty member from the department. After acceptance of the thesis by the supervising faculty member, an oral presentation and defence will be scheduled during the exam period.

Notes: - Credit will be granted for only one of 499A and B, 499.

- 499A and B are "tied" courses and must be taken in consecutive terms except with permission of the department. Credit for 499B will be assigned only upon completion of both courses.

Prerequisites: 499A.

Graduate Courses

GEOG 599   Units: to be determined   Schedule

MA, MSc Thesis

Note: Credit to be determined.

Grading: INP, COM, N, F

GEOG 693   Units: 3.0   Schedule

Candidacy Examination

By eighteen months of registration as a provisional doctoral student, a student must register for and eventually pass a candidacy examination.

The candidacy exam format includes two take home essays (max. 30 pages each) and an oral exam (max. 2 hours). Essay 1 will focus on the development of thought in the candidate's area of Geography (e.g., Physical, Human, Geomatics, or Resources) with an emphasis on linkages to the broader discipline. Essay 2 will focus on the candidate's research area. An oral examination will follow within 2 to 3 weeks after the completion of Essay 2.

Grading: INP, COM, N, F.

GEOG 699   Units: to be determined   Schedule

PhD Dissertation

Prerequisites: 693

Grading: INP, COM, N, F