Gail Fondahl, Professor Emerita
Catherine Nolin, Professor and Chair
Greg Halseth, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies
Neil Hanlon, Professor
Brian Menounos, Professor
Ellen Petticrew, Professor and Endowed Chair in Landscape Ecology
Roger Wheate, Professor/GIS Coordinator
Zoë Meletis, Associate Professor
Tristan Pearce, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Change
Joseph Shea, Associate Professor
Faran Ali, Assistant Professor
Adam Hawkins, Assistant Professor
Bill Floyd, Adjunct Professor
Anthony Jjumba, Adjunct Professor
Sean Markey, Adjunct Professor
Brendan Miller, Adjunct Professor
Marleen Morris, Adjunct Professor
Peter Reiners, Adjunct Professor
John Rex, Adjunct Professor
Grahame Russell, Adjunct Professor
Raquel Portes, Senior Research Scientist
Ping Bai, Senior Lab Instructor (GIS)
Christine Jackson, Senior Lab Instructor
Website: www.unbc.ca/geography
Geography is an interdisciplinary bridge between the human and physical sciences, studying human–environment interactions. The Geography program offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts. The BSc in physical geography examines the natural environment and the interaction of climate, soils, vegetation and landforms, while the BA in human geography focuses on cultural, social, economic and rural environments. Degrees emphasize the geography of the North and contemporary geographic technologies.
Major in Geography (BA)
Joint Major in Anthropology and Geography (BA)
Joint Major in Geography and History (BA)
Joint Major in Geography and Political Science (BA)
Major in Public Administration and Community Development (BA)
Major in Geography (BSc)
BSc Honours - Physical Geography
Minor in Earth Sciences
Minor in Geomorphology
Minor in GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Minor in Physical Geography
Minor in Human Geography
Geography Program (BA)
Major in Geography
This degree provides students with comprehensive training in the study of human geography, emphasizing the cultural, social, economic, and political connections between people and their environments. We offer courses that give students the conceptual and methodological means to make sense of the places and spaces they occupy and to understand how these relate to the rest of the world. Particular emphasis is on issues of community development, social justice, environmental equity, and population health in northern environments as a starting point for understanding the dynamics of place-making in a global context.
The minimum requirement for the completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Geography is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
100 Level
| GEOG 101-3 | Planet Earth |
| GEOG 102-3 | Earth from Above |
200 Level
| GEOG 200-3 | British Columbia: People and Places |
| GEOG 203-3 | Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities |
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| GEOG 210-3 | Introduction to Earth Science |
| STAT 240-3 | Basic Statistics |
| or ECON 205-3 | Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences |
Four of the following:
| GEOG 202-3 | Resources, Economies, and Sustainability |
| GEOG 205-3 | Cartography and Geomatics |
| GEOG 206-3 | Social Geography |
| GEOG 209-3 | Migration and Development |
| GEOG 211-3 | Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions |
| GEOG 220-3 | World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean |
| GEOG 224-3 | World Regions: Inuit Nunangat |
| GEOG 225-3 | Global Environmental Change |
| GEOG 298-3 | Special Topics |
Upper-Division Requirement
300 Level
| ENPL 319-3 | Social Research Methods |
| or GEOG 324-3 | Community-Based Research |
Five of the following:
| GEOG 300-3 | Intermediate GIS |
| GEOG 305-3 | Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making |
| GEOG 306-3 | Critical Development Geographies |
| GEOG 307-3 | Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems |
| GEOG 308-3 | Health Geography |
| GEOG 332-3 | Community Development |
| GEOG 333-3 | Geography Field School |
400 Level
| COMM 332-3 | Business and Professional Ethics |
| or ENVS 414-3 | Environmental and Professional Ethics |
Five of the following:
| GEOG 357-3 | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
| GEOG 401-3 | Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography |
| GEOG 403-3 | Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience |
| GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
| GEOG 420-3 | Environmental Justice |
| GEOG 424-3 | Northern Communities |
| GEOG 426-3 | Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power |
| GEOG 498-(1-3) | Special Topics |
| GEOG 499-(3-6) | Independent Studies |
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Elective credit hours as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, of which 24 credit hours in any subject must be at the 300 or 400 level, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in Anthropology and Geography (BA)
See Calendar entry under Anthropology.
Joint Major in Geography and History
The minimum requirement for the completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a Joint Major in Geography and History is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| GEOG 101-3 | Planet Earth |
| or GEOG 102-3 | Earth from Above |
| HIST 190-3 | World History to 1550 |
| HIST 191-3 | World History since 1550 |
Four of the following:
| GEOG 200-3 | British Columbia: People and Places |
| GEOG 202-3 | Resources, Economies, and Sustainability |
| GEOG 203-3 | Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities |
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| or GEOG 205-3 | Cartography and Geomatics |
| GEOG 206-3 | Social Geography |
| GEOG 209-3 | Migration and Development |
| GEOG 211-3 | Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions |
| GEOG 220-3 | World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean |
| GEOG 224-3 | World Regions: Inuit Nunangat |
| GEOG 225-3 | Global Environmental Change |
| GEOG 298-3 | Special Topics |
Nine credit hours of History at the 200 level
Upper-Division Requirement
| HIST 300-3 | Historiography: The Nature of the Historical Discipline |
Four of the following:
| GEOG 305-3 | Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making |
| GEOG 306-3 | Critical Development Geographies |
| GEOG 307-3 | Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems |
| GEOG 308-3 | Health Geography |
| GEOG 324-3 | Community-Based Research |
| GEOG 333-3 | Geography Field School |
Three of the following:
| GEOG 401-3 | Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography |
| GEOG 403-3 | Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
| GEOG 420-3 | Environmental Justice |
| GEOG 424-3 | Northern Communities |
| GEOG 426-3 | Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power |
Eighteen credit hours of History at the 300 or 400 level
Elective and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in Geography and Political Science
The minimum requirement for the completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a Joint Major in Geography and Political Science is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| GEOG 101-3 | Planet Earth |
| or GEOG 102-3 | Earth from Above |
| POLS 100-3 | Contemporary Political Issues |
| POLS 200-3 | Canadian Government and Politics |
| POLS 202-3 | Canada in Comparative Perspective |
| POLS 230-3 | International Relations |
| POLS 270-3 | Political Philosophy: Antiquity to Early Modernity |
Four of the following:
| GEOG 200-3 | British Columbia: People and Places |
| GEOG 202-3 | Resources, Economies, and Sustainability |
| GEOG 203-3 | Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities |
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| GEOG 206-3 | Social Geography |
| GEOG 209-3 | Migration and Development |
| GEOG 211-3 | Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions |
| GEOG 220-3 | World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean |
| GEOG 224-3 | World Regions: Inuit Nunangat |
| GEOG 225-3 | Global Environmental Change |
| GEOG 298-3 | Special Topics |
Upper-Division Requirement
| POLS 303-3 | Democracy and Democratization |
| POLS 320-3 | Canadian Politics and Policy |
| POLS 370-3 | Political Philosophy: Early Modernity to Post-Modernity |
Four of the following:
| GEOG 305-3 | Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making |
| GEOG 306-3 | Critical Development Geographies |
| GEOG 307-3 | Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems |
| GEOG 308-3 | Health Geography |
| GEOG 324-3 | Community-Based Research |
| GEOG 332-3 | Community Development |
| GEOG 333-3 | Geography Field School |
Three of the following:
| GEOG 401-3 | Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography |
| GEOG 403-3 | Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
| GEOG 420-3 | Environmental Justice |
| GEOG 424-3 | Northern Communities |
| GEOG 426-3 | Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power |
Three additional credit hours of POLS courses at the 300 level. Note: POLS 332-3 may be used to fulfill this requirement only if GEOG 332-3 has not been taken.
Nine additional credit hours of POLS courses at the 400 level.
Elective and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Major in Public Administration and Community Development
The Public Administration and Community Development major gives students the skills required to function within a range of groups, organizations, and offices. Graduates are able to interact with appropriate professionals, receive their input and reports, and collate a wide range of information and material in service of their group/organization/office. Skills in analysis and synthesis are complemented by an ability to work cooperatively and effectively, and an ability to communicate clearly through written, oral, and graphic media.
The Public Administration and Community Development major requires completion of 120 credit hours, 48 of which must be at the upper-division level. At the lower division, students must take the seven required courses and a minimum of one course from each of the seven categories. At the upper division, students must take the four required courses and a minimum of one course from each of the seven categories. To complete the 120 credit hours, students must take 45 credit hours of electives, of which 15 credit hours must be at the upper division.
It is possible for students to organize their course choices (categories and electives) to achieve a "specialization" of coursework. An Area of Specialization requires eight courses (24 credit hours) in one of the following:
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirements
Required:
| COMM 100-3 | Introduction to Canadian Business |
| ECON 100-3 | Microeconomics |
| ECON 101-3 | Macroeconomics |
| ENPL 104-3 | Introduction to Planning |
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada |
| GEOG 101-3 | Planet Earth |
| POLS 100-3 | Contemporary Political Issues |
Select ONE course from each category below:
Community
| FNST 217-3 | Contemporary Challenges Facing Aboriginal Communities |
| GEOG 206-3 | Social Geography |
| GEOG 209-3 | Migration and Development |
Public Administration
| ECON 210-3 | Introduction to Health Economics and Policy |
| ENVS 230-3 | Introduction to Environmental Policy |
| NREM 209-3 | The Practice of Conservation |
| POLS 255-3 | Introduction to Law in Canada |
| SOCW 201-3 | Introduction to Social Welfare |
Governance
| ENVS 101-3 | Introduction to Environmental Citizenship |
| HIST 257-3 | Public Law in Canada |
| POLS 200-3 | Canadian Government and Politics |
| POLS 257-3 | Public Law in Canada |
First Nations
| FNST 200-3 | Perspectives in First Nations Studies |
| FNST 249-4 | Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio |
| or ENPL 208-4 | Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio |
| NORS 101-3 | Introduction to the Circumpolar North |
Methods
| ECON 205-3 | Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences |
| ENPL 105-3 | Principles and Practices of Planning |
| ENPL 206-3 | Planning Analysis and Techniques |
| FNST 200-3 | Perspectives in First Nations Studies |
| FNST 203-3 | Introduction to Traditional Ecological Knowledge |
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| GEOG 205-3 | Cartography and Geomatics |
Economics
| COMM 230-3 | Organizational Behaviour |
| GEOG 202-3 | Resources, Economies, and Sustainability |
| INTS 210-3 | Globalizations |
| ORTM 200-3 | Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Tourism |
| ORTM 202-3 | Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism |
General
| ANTH 102-3 | Anthropology: A World of Discovery |
| ARTS 102-3 | Research Writing |
| COMM 240-3 | Introduction to Marketing |
| ECON 220-3 | Global Economic Shifts |
| ORTM 100-3 | Foundations of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism |
Upper-Division Requirements
| ENPL 313-3 | Rural Community Economic Development (CED) |
| GEOG 424-3 | Northern Communities |
| POLS 332-3 | Community Development |
| POLS 403-3 | Social and Health Policy and Administration |
Select ONE course from each category below:
Community
| COMM 302-3 | Entrepreneurship |
| ENPL 301-3 | Sustainable Communities: Structure and Sociology |
| ORTM 307-3 | Land Relations and Communities in Recreation and Tourism |
| POLS 434-3 | Resource Communities in Transition |
| SOCW 437-3 | Social Work with Groups and Communities |
| SOCW 456-3 | Indigenous Wellness: Individuals, Families, and Communities |
| SOCW 457-3 | Individual and Community Wellness for Indigenous Peoples |
Public Administration
| COMM 330-3 | Human Resource Management |
| ENPL 304-4 | Community Engagement and Inclusion Studio |
| ENPL 401-3 | Environmental Law |
| NREM 306-3 | Society, Policy and Administration |
| POLS 302-3 | How Government Works |
| POLS 344-3 | Society, Policy and Administration of Natural Resources |
| POLS 351-3 | Local Services and Public Policy |
| POLS 360-3 | Local Government Finance |
| SOCW 455-3 | Indigenous Governance and Social Policy |
Governance
| ANTH 410-3 | Theory of Nation and State |
| ENVS 326-3 | Public Engagement for Sustainability |
| GEOG 305-3 | Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making |
| POLS 316-3 | Municipal Government and Politics |
| POLS 320-3 | Canadian Politics and Policy |
| POLS 333-3 | Politics and Government of BC |
| POLS 350-3 | Land and Municipal Government |
| POLS 353-3 | Project Management in Local Government |
First Nations
| ANTH 404-3 | Comparative Study of Indigenous Peoples of the World |
| ENPL 409-4 | Indigenous Planning Studio |
| FNST 416-3 | Indigenous Issues in International Perspective |
| GEOG 403-3 | Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience |
| GEOG 426-3 | Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power |
| HIST 303-3 | British Columbia |
| HIST 390-3 | History of Indigenous People of Canada |
| NREM 303-3 | Aboriginal Perspectives on Land and Resource Management |
| POLS 415-3 | Comparative Northern Development |
Methods
| ANTH 300-3 | Qualitative Methods |
| ANTH 310-3 | Practicing Anthropology |
| ANTH 421-(3-6) | Ethnographic Field Methods |
| ENPL 305-3 | Environmental Impact Assessment |
| ENPL 319-3 | Social Research Methods |
| ENVS 339-3 | Low-Carbon Transitions: Theory and Practice |
| FNST 300-3 | Research Methods in First Nations Studies |
| GEOG 324-3 | Community-Based Research |
Economics
| COMM 303-3 | Introduction to International Business |
| ECON 305-3 | Environmental Economics and Environmental Policy |
| ECON 307-3 | Northern BC in the Global Economy |
| ECON 331-3 | Forestry Economics |
| ENVS 431-3 | Global Environmental Policy: Energy and Climate |
| GEOG 401-3 | Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography |
| INTS 421-3 | The Political Economy of Natural Resource Extraction |
| INTS 425-3 | Sustainability Problem Solving |
| ORTM 300-3 | Recreation and Tourism Impacts |
General
| COMM 332-3 | Business and Professional Ethics |
| COMM 340-3 | Marketing Communications |
| COMM 342-3 | Services Marketing |
| COMM 346-3 | Internet Marketing |
| ENVS 414-3 | Environmental and Professional Ethics |
| FNST 451-3 | Traditional Use Studies |
| or ANTH 451-3 | Traditional Use Studies |
| FNST 498-(3-6) | Special Topics in First Nations Studies |
| GEOG 200-3 | British Columbia: People and Places |
| GEOG 308-3 | Health Geography |
| GEOG 420-3 | Environmental Justice |
| HIST 360-3 | An Introduction to Environmental History |
| POLS 327-3 | Leadership and Ethics in Local Government |
Areas of Specialization
It is possible for students to organize their course choices (areas and electives) to achieve an Area of Specialization of coursework. For the PACD major, completion of a specialization requires eight courses (24 credit hours) from one of the following:
Area of Specialization in Local Public Administration
Note: Students choosing this Area of Specialization should be aware that UNBC also offers a Local Government Administration Certificate through the Department of Political Science, as well as a First Nations Public Administration Certificate through the Department of First Nations Studies.
Lower-Division course choices
| COMM 100-3 | Introduction to Canadian Business |
| COMM 230-3 | Organizational Behaviour |
| POLS 255-3 | Introduction to Law in Canada |
Upper-Division course choices
| POLS 316-3 | Municipal Government and Politics |
| POLS 320-3 | Canadian Politics and Policy |
| POLS 327-3 | Leadership and Ethics in Local Government |
| POLS 333-3 | Politics and Government of BC |
| POLS 350-3 | Law and Municipal Government |
| POLS 351-3 | Local Services and Public Policy |
| POLS 360-3 | Local Government Finance |
| POLS 403-3 | Social and Health Policy and Administration |
Area of Specialization in Aboriginal Community Development
Lower-Division course choices
| FNST 200-3 | Perspectives in First Nations Studies |
| FNST 203-3 | Introduction to Traditional Environmental Knowledge |
| FNST 217-3 | Contemporary Challenges Facing Aboriginal Communities |
| FNST 249-4 | Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio |
| or ENPL 208-4 | Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio |
Upper-Division course choices
| ANTH 404-3 | Comparative Study of Indigenous Peoples of the World |
| COMM 302-3 | Entrepreneurship |
| ENPL 409-4 | Indigenous Planning Studio |
| FNST 300-3 | Research Methods in First Nations Studies |
| FNST 304-3 | Indigenous Environmental Philosophy |
| FNST 416-3 | Indigenous Issues in International Perspective |
| FNST 451-3 | Traditional Use Studies |
| FNST 498-(3-6) | Special Topics in First Nations Studies |
| GEOG 403-3 | Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience |
| HIST 390-3 | History of Indigenous People of Canada |
| NREM 303-3 | Aboriginal Perspectives on Land and Resource Management |
| SOCW 455-3 | Indigenous Governance and Social Policy |
| SOCW 457-3 | Individual and Community Wellness for Indigenous Peoples |
Area of Specialization in Planning
Note: The Area of Specialization in Planning does not lead to an accredited planning degree. The School of Environmental Planning offers a professional accredited Canadian Institute of Planner degree. Refer to the calendar for further information.
Required Courses
| ENPL 104-3 | Introduction to Planning |
| ENPL 105-3 | Principles and Practices of Planning |
| ENPL 301-3 | Sustainable Communities: Structure and Sociology |
| ENPL 304-4 | Community Engagement and Inclusion Studio |
Four of the following:
| ENPL 206-3 | Planning Analysis and Techniques |
| ENPL 208-4 | Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio |
| ENPL 305-3 | Environmental Impact Assessment |
| ENPL 313-3 | Rural Community Economic Development (CED) |
| ENPL 319-3 | Social Research Methods |
| ENPL 401-3 | Environmental Law |
| ENPL 409-4 | Indigenous Planning Studio |
| ENVS 326-3 | Public Engagement for Sustainability |
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Forty-five elective credit hours in any subject as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours (at least 15 of these elective credit hours must be at the 300 or 400 level) including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Geography Program (BSc)
Major in Geography
This degree focuses on geography as an earth science, with introductions to biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics, followed by upper-level courses in climatology, hydrology, geomorphology, soils and weathering, and geomatics. This combination enables the understanding of the interactions between the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, aided by the use of statistical techniques, mapping, remote sensing and geographic information systems. Courses develop applied field and technical skills for associated career paths.
Undergraduate students are required to take a minimum of 13 Geography courses (37 credit hours). Of these courses, a minimum of six must be upper division. Students are required to take a minimum of 24 credit hours of elective science courses, of which 15 credit hours must be upper division. Additional electives, as necessary, are required to ensure the completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a major in Geography is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
100 Level
| BIOL 104-3 | Introductory Biology II |
| BIOL 124-1 | Introductory Biology II Laboratory |
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II |
| CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II |
| GEOG 101-3 | Planet Earth |
| GEOG 102-3 | Earth from Above |
| GEOG 111-1 | Earth and Environment |
| MATH 100-3 | Calculus I |
| or MATH 152-3 | Calculus for Non-majors |
| PHYS 100-4 | Introduction to Physics I |
| or PHYS 110-4 | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
200 Level
| ENSC 201-3 | Weather and Climate |
| FSTY 205-3 | Introduction to Soil Science |
| GEOG 200-3 | British Columbia: People and Places |
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| or GEOG 205-3 | Cartography and Geomatics |
| GEOG 210-3 | Introduction to Earth Science |
| GEOG 211-3 | Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions |
| GEOG 250-3 | Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis |
| or ENSC 250-3 | Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis |
| STAT 240-3 | Basic Statistics |
Upper-Division Requirement
300 Level
| GEOG 300-3 | Intermediate GIS |
| GEOG 310-3 | Hydrology |
| GEOG 311-3 | Drainage Basin Geomorphology |
| GEOG 315-3 | Earth's Critical Zone |
| GEOG 357-3 | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
Two of the following:
| ENSC 307-3 | Introduction to Geochemistry |
| ENSC 312-3 | Biometeorology |
| ENSC 325-3 | Soil Physical Processes and the Environment |
| or FSTY 415-3 | Forest Soils |
| or FSTY 425-3 | Soil Formation and Classification |
| GEOG 333-3 | Geography Field School |
400 Level
Three of the following:
| GEOG 405-3 | Fluvial Geomorphology |
| GEOG 411-3 | Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
| GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
| GEOG 430-(3-6) | Undergraduate Thesis |
| GEOG 450-3 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis |
| GEOG 457-3 | Advanced Remote Sensing |
| GEOG 498-(1-3) | Special Topics |
| GEOG 499-(3-6) | Independent Studies |
Elective Requirement
Science Electives
Nine credit hours of Science electives at any level and 15 credit hours of Science electives at the 300 or 400 level.
Elective Science Courses
All courses allowed in: Astronomy (ASTR), Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Civil Engineering (CIVE), Computer Science (CPSC), Engineering (ENGR), Environmental Science (ENSC), Environmental Engineering (ENVE), Forestry (FSTY), Health and Human Sciences (HHSC), Mathematics (MATH), Natural Resources and Ecosystem Management (NREM), Physics (PHYS), and Statistics (STAT).
Anthropology
The following courses are allowed:
| ANTH 200-3 | Biological Anthropology |
| ANTH 205-3 | Introduction to Archaeology |
| ANTH 220-3 | Introduction to Primatology |
| ANTH 301-3 | Archaeological Lab Methods |
| ANTH 311-3 | Anthropology of Food, Drink and Health |
| ANTH 312-3 | Human Adaptability and Environmental Stress |
| ANTH 420-3 | Races, Racism and Human Biology |
Geography
The following courses are allowed:
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| GEOG 205-3 | Cartography and Geomatics |
| GEOG 250-3 | Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis |
| GEOG 333-3 | Geography Field School |
| GEOG 405-3 | Fluvial Geomorphology |
| GEOG 411-3 | Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
| GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
| GEOG 450-3 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis |
| GEOG 457-3 | Advanced Remote Sensing |
Electives and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hour including any additional credits necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
BSc Honours – Physical Geography
A BSc Honours in Physical Geography provides students with the opportunity to complete independent research. It is encouraged for students who are considering a postgraduate degree. In addition to the BSc Physical Geography degree requirements, Honours students must complete an undergraduate thesis chosen from GEOG 430-6 (Undergraduate Thesis), or NRES 430-6 (Undergraduate Thesis). The undergraduate thesis must be conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.
The minimum requirement for a BSc Honours degree in Geography is 126 credit hours. Students are responsible to find their own undergraduate thesis research supervisor. However, faculty members are under no obligation to supervise Honours students. To be admitted to the Honours degree program, students must have completed 60 credit hours and obtained a minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.33. Attaining the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission into the Honours program, which is at the discretion of the Geography Program (contact the Program Chair for details). Maintenance of a Cumulative GPA of 3.33 is required to remain in the Honours program.
Areas of Specialization
In order to increase the breadth and utility of their degree, and to demonstrate an interest in a particular sub-discipline, students are encouraged to complete an Area of Specialization (normally 12 credit hours) during their degree, which can be chosen from the following list:
- Air
- Water
- Earth
- Soil Science
- Ecogeography
- Geospatial Science
Courses used to fulfill the requirements for the BSc Geography major (excluding the science electives) cannot be used to fulfill the requirement of the selected Area of Specialization. Students who are considering an Area of Specialization are strongly encouraged to talk to an advisor early in their second year in order to ensure that the pre-requisites are met for upper-division courses.
Air
A specialization in Air provides a deeper understanding of atmospheric processes near Earth's surface that govern the development of weather systems, regulate climate, and are implicit in environmental challenges such as climate change and air pollution.
Choose four of the following:
| ENSC 312-3 | Biometeorology |
| ENSC 408-3 | Storms |
| ENSC 412-3 | Air Pollution |
| ENSC 425-3 | Climate Change and Global Warming |
| ENSC 450-3 | Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis |
| ENSC 454-3 | Snow and Ice |
Water
Water and water resources represent an important component of physical geography. The Water specialization provides students with courses that develop key competencies in water science.
Choose four of the following:
| BIOL 302-3 | Limnology |
| ENSC 202-3 | Introduction to Aquatic Systems |
| ENSC 450-3 | Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis |
| ENSC 454-3 | Snow and Ice |
| ENVE 351-4 | Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport |
| GEOG 405-3 | Fluvial Geomorphology |
Earth
The Earth specialization provides foundational knowledge about the Earth’s materials, processes and resources, and examines key challenges such as energy and resource availability, geological hazards, and environmental sustainability.
Choose four of the following:
| ENSC 307-3 | Introduction to Geochemistry |
| ENSC 325-3 | Soil Physical Processes and the Environment |
| GEOG 333-3 | Geography Field School |
| GEOG 405-3 | Fluvial Geomorphology |
| GEOG 411-3 | Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
Soil Science
The Soil Science specialization focuses on the physical, chemical and biological processes which regulate the formation, maintenance, and restoration of the Earth’s range of soils.
Choose four of the following:
| ENSC 325-3 | Soil Physical Processes and the Environment |
| ENSC 404-3 | Waste Management |
| ENSC 435-3 | Soil Biological Processes and the Environment |
| ENSC 452-3 | Reclamation and Remediation of Disturbed Environments |
| ENVE 351-4 | Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport |
| FSTY 415-3 | Forest Soils |
| FSTY 425-3 | Soil Formation and Classification |
| GEOG 411-3 | Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
Ecogeography
The Ecogeography specialization combines elements of physical geography with a selection of theory and methods-based ecology courses.
| BIOL 201-3 | Ecology |
| BIOL 325-3 | Ecological Analyses |
Choose two of the following:
| BIOL 333-3 | Field School |
| BIOL 404-3 | Plant Ecology |
| BIOL 410-3 | Population and Community Ecology |
| BIOL 411-3 | Conservation Biology |
Geospatial Science
A specialization in Geospatial Science provides students with theoretical and practical skills necessary to analyze and visualize large geospatial datasets, and to solve geophysical problems with code-based solutions.
Choose four of the following:
| ENSC 450-3 | Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis |
| GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 450-3 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis |
| GEOG 457-3 | Advanced Remote Sensing |
Minor in Earth Sciences
The Earth Sciences minor provides depth in areas of earth science that support natural resource management. Students are required to complete 18 credit hours (12 of which must be at the 300- or 400-level) chosen from the following lists, with at least one course from each of the first three groups. Students may use a maximum of two upper-division courses (6 credit hours) used to fulfill the requirements for a major or another minor. Students must ensure that all prerequisites are fulfilled prior to registering in any course.
Note: Some upper-division courses may be taught in alternate years; students should consider this when planning their course sequences.
Hydrology
| ENSC 202-3 | Introduction to Aquatic Systems |
| ENSC 454-3 | Snow and Ice |
| ENVE 351-4 | Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport |
| GEOG 310-3 | Hydrology |
Geomorphology
| GEOG 311-3 | Drainage Basin Geomorphology |
| GEOG 405-3 | Fluvial Geomorphology |
| GEOG 411-3 | Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
Soil Science
| ENSC 325-3 | Soil Physical Processes and the Environment |
| ENSC 435-3 | Soil Biological Processes and the Environment |
| FSTY 415-3 | Forest Soils |
| FSTY 425-3 | Soil Formation and Classification |
Other
| ENSC 307-3 | Introduction to Geochemistry |
| ENSC 425-3 | Climate Change and Global Warming |
| GEOG 315-3 | Earth’s Critical Zone |
| GEOG 357-3 | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
| GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 457-3 | Advanced Remote Sensing |
Minor in Geomorphology
A minor in Geomorphology is appropriate for students who wish to obtain a level of competence in the history of Earth's landscapes, surface processes, and environmental change.
The minor consists of key courses which, when taken together, provide a degree of proficiency in a field that is actively sought after by environmental consulting firms and government agencies.
A maximum of two courses (6 credit hours) used to fulfill program requirements for a major or another minor may also be used to fulfill requirements for a minor in Geomorphology.
The minimum requirement for the completion of the minor in Geomorphology is 18 credit hours.
Requirements
| GEOG 210-3 | Introduction to Earth Science |
| GEOG 311-3 | Drainage Basin Geomorphology |
Four of the following:
| FSTY 205-3 | Introduction to Soil Science |
| or FSTY 425-3 | Soil Formation and Classification |
| GEOG 300-3 | Intermediate GIS |
| or GEOG 357-3 | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
| or GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 310-3 | Hydrology |
| GEOG 315-3 | Earth’s Critical Zone |
| GEOG 405-3 | Fluvial Geomorphology |
| GEOG 411-3 | Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
Minor in GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
The aim of the minor in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is to provide a high level of competence in a combination of courses in GIS and Computer Science technologies. Students with a minor in GIS gain experience in geographic data processing and analysis and are well-positioned for GIS-related careers.
Four required Geography courses and one Computer Science course form the core of the minor. Two additional courses can be selected from a range of options. CPSC 110-3 (Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming) and CPSC 344-3 (Data Communications and Networking) are aimed at those not majoring in Computer Science.
A maximum of two courses (6 credit hours) at or above the 200 level used to fulfill program requirements for a major or another minor may also be used to fulfill requirements for a minor in GIS.
The minimum requirement for the completion of the minor in GIS is 21 credit hours, of which at least 12 must be upper-division credit hours. Students must ensure that all prerequisites are fulfilled prior to taking courses at the 300 and 400 levels.
Requirements
| CPSC 100-4 | Computer Programming I |
| or CPSC 110-3 | Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming |
| or GEOG 250-3 | Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis |
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| GEOG 205-3 | Cartography and Geomatics |
| GEOG 300-3 | Intermediate GIS |
| GEOG 357-3 | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
Two courses from the following list:
| CPSC 324-3 | Introduction to Database Systems |
| CPSC 344-3 | Data Communications and Networking |
| or COMM 353-3 | Business Data Communications and Networking |
| or CPSC 444-3 | Computer Networks |
| GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 450-3 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis |
| GEOG 457-3 | Advanced Remote Sensing |
Minor in Physical Geography
A minor in Physical Geography is appropriate for students who seek a broad-based exposure to earth and environmental sciences. Prospective teachers, human geographers, and government agency and environmental consulting employees find the study of Earth’s processes and the natural environment beneficial to their future careers. The minor consists of a group of courses which, when taken together, provide a degree of proficiency in Physical Geography.
A maximum of two courses (6 credit hours) used to fulfill program requirements for a major or another minor may also be used to fulfill requirements for a minor in Physical Geography.
The minimum requirement for the completion of the minor in Physical Geography is 18 credit hours.
Requirements
| ENSC 201-3 | Weather and Climate |
| FSTY 205-3 | Introduction to Soil Science |
| GEOG 210-3 | Introduction to Earth Science |
Three of the following:
| ENSC 312-3 | Biometeorology |
| or ENSC 408-3 | Storms |
| GEOG 300-3 | Intermediate GIS |
| or GEOG 357-3 | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
| or GEOG 413-3 | Advanced GIS |
| GEOG 310-3 | Hydrology |
| or GEOG 405-3 | Fluvial Geomorphology |
| GEOG 311-3 | Drainage Basin Geomorphology |
| GEOG 315-3 | Earth’s Critical Zone |
| GEOG 411-3 | Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
Minor in Human Geography
The minor in Human Geography is designed to provide students with the following:
1. an introduction to the basics of Human Geography;
2. a well-rounded introduction to several of the key sub-fields of Human Geography; and
3. the chance to explore at least one facet of Human Geography of special interest to the student at the 400 level.
A maximum of two courses (6 credit hours) at or above the 200 level used to fulfill program requirements for a major or another minor may also be used to fulfill requirements for a minor in Human Geography.
The minimum requirement for completion of a minor in Human Geography is 18 credit hours, including 12 upper-division credit hours.
Requirements
Two of the following:
| GEOG 101-3 | Planet Earth |
| GEOG 102-3 | Earth from Above |
| GEOG 200-3 | British Columbia: People and Places |
| GEOG 202-3 | Resources, Economies, and Sustainability |
| GEOG 203-3 | Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities |
| GEOG 204-3 | Introduction to GIS |
| GEOG 206-3 | Social Geography |
| GEOG 209-3 | Migration and Development |
| GEOG 211-3 | Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions |
| GEOG 220-3 | World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean |
| GEOG 224-3 | World Regions: Inuit Nunangut |
| GEOG 225-3 | Global Environmental Change |
| GEOG 298-3 | Special Topics |
Three of the following:
| GEOG 305-3 | Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making |
| GEOG 306-3 | Critical Development Geographies |
| GEOG 307-3 | Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems |
| GEOG 308-3 | Health Geography |
| GEOG 324-3 | Community-Based Research |
| GEOG 332-3 | Community Development |
| GEOG 333-3 | Geography Field School |
One of the following:
| GEOG 401-3 | Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography |
| GEOG 403-3 | Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience |
| GEOG 416-3 | Mountains |
| GEOG 420-3 | Environmental Justice |
| GEOG 424-3 | Northern Communities |
| GEOG 426-3 | Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power |
Minor in Global Environmental Change
See Calendar entry under Environmental and Sustainability Studies.
Updated: December 5, 2024