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
| Planet Earth | |
| Earth from Above |
200 Level
| British Columbia: People and Places | |
| Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Introduction to Earth Science | |
| Basic Statistics | |
| or | Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences |
Four of the following:
| Resources, Economies, and Sustainability | |
| Cartography and Geomatics | |
| Social Geography | |
| Migration and Development | |
| Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions | |
| World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean | |
| World Regions: Inuit Nunangat | |
| Global Environmental Change | |
| Special Topics |
Upper-Division Requirement
300 Level
| Social Research Methods | |
| or | Community-Based Research |
Five of the following:
| Intermediate GIS | |
| Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making | |
| Critical Development Geographies | |
| Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems | |
| Health Geography | |
| Community Development | |
| Geography Field School |
400 Level
| Business and Professional Ethics | |
| or | Environmental and Professional Ethics |
Five of the following:
| Introduction to Remote Sensing | |
| Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| Advanced GIS | |
| Mountains | |
| Environmental Justice | |
| Northern Communities | |
| Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power | |
| Special Topics | |
| 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
| Planet Earth | |
| or | Earth from Above |
| World History to 1550 | |
| World History since 1550 |
Four of the following:
| British Columbia: People and Places | |
| Resources, Economies, and Sustainability | |
| Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| or | Cartography and Geomatics |
| Social Geography | |
| Migration and Development | |
| Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions | |
| World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean | |
| World Regions: Inuit Nunangat | |
| Global Environmental Change | |
| Special Topics |
Nine credit hours of History at the 200 level
Upper-Division Requirement
| Historiography: The Nature of the Historical Discipline |
Four of the following:
| Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making | |
| Critical Development Geographies | |
| Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems | |
| Health Geography | |
| Community-Based Research | |
| Geography Field School |
Three of the following:
| Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| Mountains | |
| Environmental Justice | |
| Northern Communities | |
| 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
| Planet Earth | |
| or | Earth from Above |
| Contemporary Political Issues | |
| Canadian Government and Politics | |
| Canada in Comparative Perspective | |
| International Relations | |
| Political Philosophy: Antiquity to Early Modernity |
Four of the following:
| British Columbia: People and Places | |
| Resources, Economies, and Sustainability | |
| Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Social Geography | |
| Migration and Development | |
| Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions | |
| World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean | |
| World Regions: Inuit Nunangat | |
| Global Environmental Change | |
| Special Topics |
Upper-Division Requirement
| Democracy and Democratization | |
| Canadian Politics and Policy | |
| Political Philosophy: Early Modernity to Post-Modernity |
Four of the following:
| Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making | |
| Critical Development Geographies | |
| Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems | |
| Health Geography | |
| Community-Based Research | |
| Community Development | |
| Geography Field School |
Three of the following:
| Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| Mountains | |
| Environmental Justice | |
| Northern Communities | |
| 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:
| Introduction to Canadian Business | |
| Microeconomics | |
| Macroeconomics | |
| Introduction to Planning | |
| The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| Planet Earth | |
| Contemporary Political Issues |
Select ONE course from each category below:
Community
| Contemporary Challenges Facing Aboriginal Communities | |
| Social Geography | |
| Migration and Development |
Public Administration
| Introduction to Health Economics and Policy | |
| Introduction to Environmental Policy | |
| The Practice of Conservation | |
| Introduction to Law in Canada | |
| Introduction to Social Welfare |
Governance
| Introduction to Environmental Citizenship | |
| Public Law in Canada | |
| Canadian Government and Politics | |
| Public Law in Canada |
First Nations
| Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
| Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio | |
| or | Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio |
| Introduction to the Circumpolar North |
Methods
| Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences | |
| Principles and Practices of Planning | |
| Planning Analysis and Techniques | |
| Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
| Introduction to Traditional Ecological Knowledge | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Cartography and Geomatics |
Economics
| Organizational Behaviour | |
| Resources, Economies, and Sustainability | |
| Globalizations | |
| Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Tourism | |
| Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism |
General
| Anthropology: A World of Discovery | |
| Research Writing | |
| Introduction to Marketing | |
| Global Economic Shifts | |
| Foundations of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism |
Upper-Division Requirements
| Rural Community Economic Development (CED) | |
| Northern Communities | |
| Community Development | |
| Social and Health Policy and Administration |
Select ONE course from each category below:
Community
| Entrepreneurship | |
| Sustainable Communities: Structure and Sociology | |
| Land Relations and Communities in Recreation and Tourism | |
| Resource Communities in Transition | |
| Social Work with Groups and Communities | |
| Indigenous Wellness: Individuals, Families, and Communities | |
| Individual and Community Wellness for Indigenous Peoples |
Public Administration
| Human Resource Management | |
| Community Engagement and Inclusion Studio | |
| Environmental Law | |
| Society, Policy and Administration | |
| How Government Works | |
| Society, Policy and Administration of Natural Resources | |
| Local Services and Public Policy | |
| Local Government Finance | |
| Indigenous Governance and Social Policy |
Governance
| Theory of Nation and State | |
| Public Engagement for Sustainability | |
| Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making | |
| Municipal Government and Politics | |
| Canadian Politics and Policy | |
| Politics and Government of BC | |
| Land and Municipal Government | |
| Project Management in Local Government |
First Nations
| Comparative Study of Indigenous Peoples of the World | |
| Indigenous Planning Studio | |
| Indigenous Issues in International Perspective | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power | |
| British Columbia | |
| History of Indigenous People of Canada | |
| Aboriginal Perspectives on Land and Resource Management | |
| Comparative Northern Development |
Methods
| Qualitative Methods | |
| Practicing Anthropology | |
| Ethnographic Field Methods | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment | |
| Social Research Methods | |
| Low-Carbon Transitions: Theory and Practice | |
| Research Methods in First Nations Studies | |
| Community-Based Research |
Economics
| Introduction to International Business | |
| Environmental Economics and Environmental Policy | |
| Northern BC in the Global Economy | |
| Forestry Economics | |
| Global Environmental Policy: Energy and Climate | |
| Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography | |
| The Political Economy of Natural Resource Extraction | |
| Sustainability Problem Solving | |
| Recreation and Tourism Impacts |
General
| Business and Professional Ethics | |
| Marketing Communications | |
| Services Marketing | |
| Internet Marketing | |
| Environmental and Professional Ethics | |
| Traditional Use Studies | |
| or | Traditional Use Studies |
| Special Topics in First Nations Studies | |
| British Columbia: People and Places | |
| Health Geography | |
| Environmental Justice | |
| An Introduction to Environmental History | |
| 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 ÂÜÀòÉäÇø 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
| Introduction to Canadian Business | |
| Organizational Behaviour | |
| Introduction to Law in Canada |
Upper-Division course choices
| Municipal Government and Politics | |
| Canadian Politics and Policy | |
| Leadership and Ethics in Local Government | |
| Politics and Government of BC | |
| Law and Municipal Government | |
| Local Services and Public Policy | |
| Local Government Finance | |
| Social and Health Policy and Administration |
Area of Specialization in Aboriginal Community Development
Lower-Division course choices
| Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
| Introduction to Traditional Environmental Knowledge | |
| Contemporary Challenges Facing Aboriginal Communities | |
| Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio | |
| or | Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio |
Upper-Division course choices
| Comparative Study of Indigenous Peoples of the World | |
| Entrepreneurship | |
| Indigenous Planning Studio | |
| Research Methods in First Nations Studies | |
| Indigenous Environmental Philosophy | |
| Indigenous Issues in International Perspective | |
| Traditional Use Studies | |
| Special Topics in First Nations Studies | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| History of Indigenous People of Canada | |
| Aboriginal Perspectives on Land and Resource Management | |
| Indigenous Governance and Social Policy | |
| 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
| Introduction to Planning | |
| Principles and Practices of Planning | |
| Sustainable Communities: Structure and Sociology | |
| Community Engagement and Inclusion Studio |
Four of the following:
| Planning Analysis and Techniques | |
| Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment | |
| Rural Community Economic Development (CED) | |
| Social Research Methods | |
| Environmental Law | |
| Indigenous Planning Studio | |
| 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
| Introductory Biology II | |
| Introductory Biology II Laboratory | |
| General Chemistry I | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| General Chemistry Lab I | |
| General Chemistry Lab II | |
| Planet Earth | |
| Earth from Above | |
| Earth and Environment | |
| Calculus I | |
| or | Calculus for Non-majors |
| Introduction to Physics I | |
| or | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
200 Level
| Weather and Climate | |
| Introduction to Soil Science | |
| British Columbia: People and Places | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| or | Cartography and Geomatics |
| Introduction to Earth Science | |
| Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions | |
| Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis | |
| or | Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis |
| Basic Statistics |
Upper-Division Requirement
300 Level
| Intermediate GIS | |
| Hydrology | |
| Drainage Basin Geomorphology | |
| Earth's Critical Zone | |
| Introduction to Remote Sensing |
Two of the following:
| Introduction to Geochemistry | |
| Biometeorology | |
| Soil Physical Processes and the Environment | |
| or | Forest Soils |
| or | Soil Formation and Classification |
| Geography Field School |
400 Level
Three of the following:
| Fluvial Geomorphology | |
| Quaternary and Surficial Geology | |
| Advanced GIS | |
| Mountains | |
| Undergraduate Thesis | |
| Advanced Geospatial Analysis | |
| Advanced Remote Sensing | |
| Special Topics | |
| 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:
| Biological Anthropology | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | |
| Introduction to Primatology | |
| Archaeological Lab Methods | |
| Anthropology of Food, Drink and Health | |
| Human Adaptability and Environmental Stress | |
| Races, Racism and Human Biology |
Geography
The following courses are allowed:
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Cartography and Geomatics | |
| Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis | |
| Geography Field School | |
| Fluvial Geomorphology | |
| Quaternary and Surficial Geology | |
| Advanced GIS | |
| Mountains | |
| Advanced Geospatial Analysis | |
| 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 (Undergraduate Thesis), or (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:
| Biometeorology | |
| Storms | |
| Air Pollution | |
| Climate Change and Global Warming | |
| Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis | |
| 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:
| Limnology | |
| Introduction to Aquatic Systems | |
| Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis | |
| Snow and Ice | |
| Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport | |
| 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:
| Introduction to Geochemistry | |
| Soil Physical Processes and the Environment | |
| Geography Field School | |
| Fluvial Geomorphology | |
| Quaternary and Surficial Geology | |
| 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:
| Soil Physical Processes and the Environment | |
| Waste Management | |
| Soil Biological Processes and the Environment | |
| Reclamation and Remediation of Disturbed Environments | |
| Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport | |
| Forest Soils | |
| Soil Formation and Classification | |
| Quaternary and Surficial Geology |
Ecogeography
The Ecogeography specialization combines elements of physical geography with a selection of theory and methods-based ecology courses.
| Ecology | |
| Ecological Analyses |
Choose two of the following:
| Field School | |
| Plant Ecology | |
| Population and Community Ecology | |
| 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:
| Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis | |
| Advanced GIS | |
| Advanced Geospatial Analysis | |
| 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
| Introduction to Aquatic Systems | |
| Snow and Ice | |
| Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport | |
| Hydrology |
Geomorphology
| Drainage Basin Geomorphology | |
| Fluvial Geomorphology | |
| Quaternary and Surficial Geology | |
| Mountains |
Soil Science
| Soil Physical Processes and the Environment | |
| Soil Biological Processes and the Environment | |
| Forest Soils | |
| Soil Formation and Classification |
Other
| Introduction to Geochemistry | |
| Climate Change and Global Warming | |
| Earth’s Critical Zone | |
| Introduction to Remote Sensing | |
| Advanced GIS | |
| 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
| Introduction to Earth Science | |
| Drainage Basin Geomorphology |
Four of the following:
| Introduction to Soil Science | |
| or | Soil Formation and Classification |
| Intermediate GIS | |
| or | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
| or | Advanced GIS |
| Hydrology | |
| Earth’s Critical Zone | |
| Fluvial Geomorphology | |
| 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. (Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming) and (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
| Computer Programming I | |
| or | Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming |
| or | Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Cartography and Geomatics | |
| Intermediate GIS | |
| Introduction to Remote Sensing |
Two courses from the following list:
| Introduction to Database Systems | |
| Data Communications and Networking | |
| or | Business Data Communications and Networking |
| or | Computer Networks |
| Advanced GIS | |
| Advanced Geospatial Analysis | |
| 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
| Weather and Climate | |
| Introduction to Soil Science | |
| Introduction to Earth Science |
Three of the following:
| Biometeorology | |
| or | Storms |
| Intermediate GIS | |
| or | Introduction to Remote Sensing |
| or | Advanced GIS |
| Hydrology | |
| or | Fluvial Geomorphology |
| Drainage Basin Geomorphology | |
| Earth’s Critical Zone | |
| 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:
| Planet Earth | |
| Earth from Above | |
| British Columbia: People and Places | |
| Resources, Economies, and Sustainability | |
| Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Social Geography | |
| Migration and Development | |
| Natural Hazards: Human and Environmental Dimensions | |
| World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean | |
| World Regions: Inuit Nunangut | |
| Global Environmental Change | |
| Special Topics |
Three of the following:
| Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making | |
| Critical Development Geographies | |
| Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems | |
| Health Geography | |
| Community-Based Research | |
| Community Development | |
| Geography Field School |
One of the following:
| Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| Mountains | |
| Environmental Justice | |
| Northern Communities | |
| Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power |
Minor in Global Environmental Change
See Calendar entry under Environmental and Sustainability Studies.
Updated: December 5, 2024