At the University of Waterloo, we stress the study of environmental change at a variety of scales from local to global. Our courses are highly integrated to encourage the study of the environment from many perspectives. These include the practical application of geographical studies, the role of field work, and the use of computer techniques such as model building, geographical information systems and digital remote sensing.
Geography is considered both a natural and social science and flourishes in an academic organization where the multi-disciplinary approach is emphasized. The Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) programs in Geography (Honours and General) provide students with considerable freedom to choose supporting electives from any department in the University. Students can develop programs to suit their particular interests. Joint Honours programs with a number of other departments are listed in 'Joint Honours Programs'.
The formal admission requirements of the program are listed in the 'Admissions' section of this Calendar. Six OAC credits including English and Geography are required. The Regular Honours Geography program provides a sound foundation in the discipline, and prepares the student for specialization at the graduate level in almost any aspect of Geography. The mandatory content courses include a series of integrated courses in both physical and human geography. Although the Honours program is broad in scope, students may concentrate their courses in one or more of the major areas of specialization available in the Department which include: Applied Physical Geography, Canadian Geography, Environmental and Resource Management, Regional Development, Regional Geography, Methods and Techniques, Urban-Economic Geography and UW/WLU Business Option.The fourth year includes a research project, the Senior Honours Thesis.
The Honours Co-op program provides for alternate terms of practical work experience and academic study. Students may be admitted to the Co-op program in the first or second year. The first work term is in the Winter of the second year. Co-op Geography students must normally follow the work and study-term sequence outlined in 'Co-op Course Scheduling Recommendation'. Students must complete five work terms. A work-term report is required upon completion of each work term and four of these must be approved for the Co-op degree. Inquiries for additional information regarding Co-operative studies should be directed to the Co-op Undergraduate Officer.
The three-year General Geography program provides a liberal education in environmental studies, with less specialization in Geography than in the Honours program. This program can also be completed by distance education. In addition to the BES (Bachelor of Environmental Studies) program in Geography a BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree program is also available in Geography (see the Faculty of Arts).
In all programs there is emphasis on the development of both theory and methodology and on the practical application of geographical concepts to the environmental, economic, social and political problems of Canada and other parts of the world. The 'applied geography' aspects of the program are enhanced by the availability in the Faculty of elective courses in Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning and Environment and Resource Studies. Graduating students acquire a variety of jobs in education, government, industry and planning agencies; more information on employment possibilities is provided in a Department of Geography publication, Jobs in Geography .
The Department of Geography offers both Master's (MA and MES) and Doctoral (PhD) graduate programs as part of the joint Waterloo-Wilfrid Laurier Graduate Program in Geography. At the graduate level course work and research are concentrated on a specific subfield of Geography. Areas of research specialization include physical geography, spatial data handling, urban and economic geography, resources management, cultural, historical and regional geography.
The Faculty of Environmental Studies expects that students enrolled in any of its programs should be able to demonstrate competence in writing. Accordingly, all students newly admitted to the Faculty (except those who have passed OAC 1 English with a final grade of 80% or higher) are required to write the English Language Proficiency Examination during their first term of registration (normally scheduled during registration week in September). The English Language Proficiency Program is recorded on the student's academic record as ARTS 000Y.
Total: 30 term courses. Geography: 12 term courses. Outside of Faculty of Environmental Studies: eight term courses. All Environmental Studies courses are included in the cumulative Geography average but only four can be counted in meeting the minimum required credits of Geography courses.
2. Term Course Load
No more than five courses may be taken in a term without the approval of the Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies). Normally, approval for a sixth course will be considered only if the cumulative Geography average is B+ or higher.
3. Average Requirements
Students must maintain an overall cumulative average of 60.0% and a Major cumulative average of 65.0%. All required courses must be passed.
4. First-Year Term Courses
For a three-year General degree, a student must have at least 17 term courses above the 100-level.
5. Students must take one of the following regional courses in years two, three or four:
GEOG 204 Geography of Russia and Post-Soviet States
GEOG 205 Africa
GEOG 206 The World Region and World Issues
GEOG 221 The United States
GEOG 223 The Geography of Indonesia
GEOG 227 Regional Problems of Europe
GEOG 229 Political Geography
GEOG 322 Geographical Study of Canada
GEOG 326 Gender Roles and Development Alternatives in the Third World
GEOG 332 Health, Environment and Development in the Third World
GEOG 340 Towns and Villages of Rural Canada
GEOG 412 Japan and the Pacific Rim
GEOG 421 Europe
GEOG 422 Canada
GEOG 425 Africa
GEOG 426 Sustainable Development in the Third World
6. Other Comments
See notes 4, 5 and 6 on four-year programs.
Total: 40 term courses. Geography: 20 term courses. All term courses for which 1.0 credit is awarded will count as the equivalent of two term courses. Outside of the Faculty of Environmental Studies: ten term courses. Only four term courses designated Environmental Studies may be counted as Geography courses but all courses designated Environmental Studies are included in the cumulative Geography average.
2. Term Course Load
No more than five courses may be taken in a term without the approval of the Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies). Normally, approval for a sixth course will be considered only if the cumulative Geography average is B+ or higher.
3. Average Requirements
Students in the Honours programs must maintain an overall cumulative average of 65.0% and a Major cumulative average of 70.0%. All required courses must be passed.
4. Secondary School Teaching
Students intending to teach in Secondary Schools should take at least four term courses of Regional Geography and at least four term courses in another teachable school subject.
5. Materials and Costs
For some courses, extra fees may be required to defray heavy equipment/travel costs, e.g. GEOG 391 (Field Research). Statements on extra costs, where required, will be found with the course description.
6. Independent Study
Up to three independent study courses (GEOG 475A, B, C) may be taken.
7. Honours Co-operative Program
Honours Geography Co-op is a five work-term program in which four work-term reports have to be written. The first work-term occurs in the Winter term of the second year and a work report is required at the end of this placement.
Honours Geography Co-op is a limited enrolment program. Students are admitted to the Co-op program in first year based on secondary school grades. Interested students enrolled in first year Regular Geography at the University of Waterloo may be considered for admission to any remaining Co-op positions at the end of first year based on university academic performance and work experience related to Geography.
The Honours Geography Co-op program has the same academic requirements as the Honours Regular program with the exception that GEOG 391 need not be taken by Co-op students. In addition, Honours Co-op students may elect to submit a work term report to be evaluated in lieu of GEOG 490 A/B. If the report is considered to be of comparable academic quality, the student will take additional courses to meet the requirement of 40 term courses. The additional 1.5 credit courses must be selected from the Third and Fourth year offerings with the approval of the Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies).
8. First-Year Term Courses
For a four-year Honours degree a student must have at least 27 term courses above the 100-level.
9. All fourth year Geography courses will be restricted to fourth year Honours students. Other students must have permission of the instructor.
10. Students must take one of the following regional courses in years two, three or four:
GEOG 204 Geography of Russia and Post-Soviet States
GEOG 205 Africa
GEOG 206 The World Region and World Issues
GEOG 221 The United States
GEOG 223 The Geography of Indonesia
GEOG 227 Regional Problems of Europe
GEOG 229 Political Geography
GEOG 322 Geographical Study of Canada
GEOG 326 Gender Roles and Development Alternatives in the Third World
GEOG 332 Health, Environment and Development in the Third World
GEOG 340 Towns and Villages of Rural Canada
GEOG 412 Japan and the Pacific Rim
GEOG 421 Europe
GEOG 422 Canada
GEOG 425 Africa
GEOG 426 Sustainable Development in the Third World
The Department of Geography is prepared to work out other programs not listed for Honours students.
Geography core requirements in Joint programs are similar to those of the Geography Honours program but equivalent courses in the home department to ENV S 178, 278 and GEOG 393 and 490A, 490B are accepted. Required courses are GEOG 101, 102, 165, 201, 202A, 202B, 208 or 309, a 200 or above-level Regional course (see note 10 above), and ENV S 200. If scheduling difficulties arise in meeting required courses, contact the Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies) in Geography for possible substitute courses.
1. Admission to Joint Honours Programs
Admission to a Joint Honours program will occur no earlier than Year Two.
2. Minimum Required Credits
The minimum number of term courses in Geography/ Environmental Studies for students registered in Joint Honours programs is 14. If both majors are taken in the Faculty of Environmental Studies, and the student's first declared major is geography, a minimum of ten term courses must be taken outside of the Faculty of Environmental Studies. The total number of term courses required is 40.
3. Average Requirements
Geography students taking Joint Honours with another department must achieve Honours standing as required by the Geography Department (65.0% overall, 70.0% in Geography). The average required in the second major is the minimum Honours standing set by that department. Students in other departments taking Joint Honours with Geography must achieve a cumulative average of 70.0% in Geography and Environmental Studies courses. Environmental Studies courses are included with Geography courses in the calculation of the Geography average.
4. Canadian Studies
Students choosing the program Geography with Canadian Studies are referred to the regulations of that program. In addition, the Department of Geography recommends that course selections include at least six courses from those listed for Areas of Specialization under Canadian Geography (see Associate Chair, Undergraduate Affairs).
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