Courses Offered by the Department of Geography

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
The basic concepts of archaeology and archaeological research. Using examples from around the world, emphasis will be placed on understanding fundamental principles and techniques employed in archaeological problem solving. Material covered will include dating and excavation methodologies, material and artifact analysis, culture-environment interaction and critical evaluation of archaeological interpretation.
Lib Ed Req: Science or Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
A survey of major cultural developments in Africa, Asia, and Europe from the origins of agriculture and development of complex civilizations through to the advent of the medieval era.
Prerequisite(s): Archaeology 1000
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

A survey of major cultural developments in the Americas and Oceania from the end of the ice age to European contact.

Prerequisite(s):​Archaeology 1000

Equivalent:​Archeology 2850 (Archaeology of the Americas and Oceania) (prior to 2024/2025)

Lib Ed Req:​Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-8
Major issues in the archaeology of North America including population movements during the Pleistocene and the development of regional adaptations. A one-day field trip will be scheduled on a Saturday.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-8
An examination of the human history of the North American Great Plains from the earliest known occupation to the arrival of Europeans. Emphasis on interpretation and analysis of Plains material culture and the application of techniques such as lithic studies, zooarchaeology and ethnoarchaeology. A field trip will be scheduled.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
The growth and development of the discipline of Syro-Palestinian Archaeology in a general survey of exploration, excavation and scholarly research; and an examination of the archaeological evidence from prehistoric times to the end of the Iron Age.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Major issues and problems in the archaeology of Iron Age Israel and its environs, including Israelite origins, the nature of the Israelite state, and the material culture of Ancient Israel and its neighbours.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Other hours per term: 0-0-210
Training in excavation techniques, principles and problems on location at various archaeological sites around the world. Inasmuch as this course involves travel to and residence at remote archaeological sites, costs borne by students vary but may range up to several thousand dollars.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
This series explores archaeological issues from different regions and periods.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Equivalent: Any offering in the Archaeology 3000 Series with the same title as the offering in the Archaeology 3400 Series

• Ancient Egypt
  Survey of the archaeology, history, art history, and literature of ancient Egypt from the Predynastic Period to Roman times.
• Ancient Mesopotamia
  Survey of the archaeology, history, art history, and literature of ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and surrounding regions) from the Neolithic Period to the conquest of Babylon by the Persians.
• Classical Archaeology
  Material culture and archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome from the Bronze Age to the end of Roman times; concentration on Athens and Rome.
• Mesoamerica
  Archaeological survey of ancient Mesoamerica; overview of Olmec, Maya, Toltec, Aztec cultures as well as city of Teotihuacan.
• Ancient Europe: Stonehenge, Barbarians, and Goddesses
  Overview of the archaeology of Prehistoric Europe from the Mesolithic Period to the end of the Iron Age; focus on problems of intrepretations of material culture.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Theories and major developments in the study of human evolution. Examination of hominid fossils and stone tools in order to understand human biological and cultural development. Contributions made by various disciplines to this research area are reviewed.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000, a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology, or Third- year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-16
Site formation processes, both natural and cultural; ancient and modern landscapes; analysis of archaeological features in geoarchaeological contexts. Two one-day field trips will be scheduled on Saturdays.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Laboratory and field analysis of archaeological remains such as lithics, ceramics and architecture; techniques of conservation and restoration.
Prerequisite(s): One of Archaeology 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Prerequisite(s): One 3000-level course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
This series examines the influence of theory in Archaeology.
Prerequisite(s): Two 3000-level courses (6.0 credit hours) in Archaeology

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Selected problems relating archaeological theory, analyses, and/or field work.
Prerequisite(s): One 3000-level course (3.0 credit hours) in Archaeology
Lib Ed Req: Science or Social Science

Credit hours: 6.00
Contact hours per week: Variable
This is a research-oriented course in which students will conduct research, submit a report in the form of an Undergraduate Thesis which will be made publicly available, and report orally on the work. In consultation with the Thesis Supervisor, students will define a research problem and formulate a research plan.
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND A cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher AND An Independent Study (3990) in Archaeology or Geography
Note: Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Introduction to the scientific method and all aspects of the natural environment: the geological and biological history of the Earth; weather and climate; concepts of ecology; energy and nutrients in ecosystems; biodiversity; human activities; services provided by ecosystems; environmental justice; environmental challenges such as development, toxins, waste, pollution, and overexploitation; environmental data; and current issues regarding our shared environment.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the First Nations' Transition Program
Equivalent: Environmental Science 0500 (prior to 2016/2017)
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
An overview of the fundamentals of environmental science, with a focus on physical and living systems, processes and the ways in which humans depend on, interact with and affect these systems. Topics may include, but are not limited to, current environmental concerns, such as human population growth; human changes to biogeochemical cycles; and institutional responses to resource use and pollution.
Prerequisite(s): One 1000-level course (3.0 credit hours) in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, or Physics OR One of admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Agricultural Studies
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0 or 3-3-0
Studies in selected areas of Environmental Science. Specific offerings are generally interdisciplinary.
Prerequisite(s): Will be specified (including any recommended background) for individual offerings
Note: May require laboratories, tutorials or both.

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Wetlands are integral elements in many Canadian environments, with fragile but dynamic ecosystems, high levels of biodiversity, and complex hydrology and geomorphology. This course will explore wetland ecosystems, processes, classification (using ground and geospatial methods for the non-expert), and policy frameworks, and will also address critical issues of reclamation, value, and distribution.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 2090/Biology 2090, Geography 2300, or Environmental Science 2000

Equivalent:​Geography 3850 (Wetlands) (prior to 2020/2021);
Environmental Science 3000 (Wetlands) (prior to 2020/2021)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 0.00
This is a placeholder registration for students admitted to the Bachelor of Science (BSc) with a major in Environmental Science who are enrolled in the Technical Studies Term at an associated college.
Note:No fees are assessed for this registration.

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Discussion and investigation of news and topics in current environmental science and emerging issues, including new science, applied technology, and policy.

Prerequisite(s):​Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)

Equivalent:​Environmental Science 4000 (Current Events in Environmental Science) (prior to 2024/2025)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 6.00
Contact hours per week: Variable
This is a challenging, work-intensive, research-oriented course in which students will conduct fieldwork, text, library-based or empirical research, submit a report in the form of an Undergraduate Thesis which will be made publicly available, and report orally on the work. In consultation with their Thesis Supervisor, students will define a research problem and formulate a research plan.
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND A cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher
Note: Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Fundamental processes and interrelationships between the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere using a systems science approach. Topics will include landforms and landscapes, geodesy, Earth surface materials, soils, biogeography, weather and climate, hydrology, water resources, and glacial processes.
Lib Ed Req: Science
Note: This course complements Geography 1200.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Survey of human geography as a discipline, focusing on interrelationships among people, places and their environments. Topics include the changing geographies of population, economy, settlement patterns, resource use and environment, politics, gender, and culture.
Lib Ed Req: Social Science
Note: This course complements Geography 1000.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
The course is organized around major world regions. It introduces students to the process of global integration and provides insights into the functional relations that characterize this integration. Environmental concerns, global population and resources, the emergence of trading blocs and growing dependency are covered within the framework of the regional organization.
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-1.5-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-3
The scientific study of landforms comprising a spectrum of approaches from both historical and functional conceptual bases. Basic concepts covered in landform description and analysis are uniformity, evolution, complexity, and systems. A three-hour field trip will be scheduled.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 1000, Environmental Science 2000, or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-3-0

Other hours per term: 0-0-8

Origin, composition and structure of the earth; identification of common rocks and mineral resources; evolution of the surface features of continents and ocean basins. A one-day field trip will be scheduled on a Saturday.

Recommended Background:
Geography 1000

Equivalent:​Geology 2060 (prior to 2022/2023)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
The relationships of natural extremes, global environmental change and human systems. A key emphasis is identification of natural and human-induced global environmental change. Case studies demonstrating societal vulnerabilities to potential hazards and disasters.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 2030, Geography 2300, or Geology 2060 AND Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-16
Geographic and spatial relationships of individuals, species, ecosystems, and biomes. Topics include biodiversity, dispersal, evolution and environmental change. Two eight-hour field excursions will be scheduled on Saturdays.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 1000 AND one of Biology 1010 or Biology 1020
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-4
Neoclassical and contemporary perspectives on the geography of urban and economic activities. Topics covered include central place hierarchies, industrial location, agricultural and urban land use, transportation, spatial interaction and regional economic development. A four-hour field trip in the City of Lethbridge will be scheduled.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 1200
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-1.5-0
Introduction to the atmosphere. Global circulation and the role of energy exchange. Structure and behaviour of world and regional weather systems. Synoptic meteorology. Bioclimatology. Climate variation and cycles.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 1000, Environmental Science 2000, admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Agricultural Studies, admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Environmental Science, or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-8
A survey of urban, regional, resource and land use planning, history of urban design and planning concepts, legal and institutional framework for urban and regional planning, the planning process, contemporary planning issues at the community, metropolitan and regional scale. A one-day field trip will be scheduled on a Saturday.
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Physical environments, resources, economics and settlements of the regions of Canada.
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-1.5-0

Introduction to quantitative methods and statistical problem solving in geography. Unique features of geographical data. Introductory methods for analysis and description of areal and point data. Central tendency, dispersion and shape of distributions. Classification methods. Use of Normal, Binomial, and Poisson distributions in geographical analysis. Bivariate correlation and regression analysis. Computer applications in statistical problem solving.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 1000, Geography 1200, Environmental Science 2000, admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Agricultural Studies, admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science, or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
An introductory course in the geographical information sciences with an emphasis on concepts in geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing. Data structures and fundamental GIS functions. Introduction to remote sensing of the Earth's surface, aerial photography, photogrammetry, and visual image interpretation. Laboratory work will involve techniques in GIS software, aerial photography interpretation, and image assessment.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 1000, Geography 1200, or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Agricultural Studies
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-8
The study of perennial snow and ice and the effects of glaciers in the development of landforms. A one-day field trip will be scheduled on a Saturday.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 2030
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
This course considers the theory and methods of environmental assessment, adaptive management, and issues in resource analysis, allocation and development.
Prerequisite(s): One of Environmental Science 2000 or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Environmental Science
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-8
Physical, chemical, biological properties of soils; soil formation, classification and distribution, insights into the uses and abuses of soils, role of soil agronomy in resource development. A one-day field trip will be scheduled on a Saturday.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 2030, Geology 2060, or admission to the Post-Diploma BA or BSc in Agricultural Studies
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-3-0

Other hours per term: 0-0-8

Examination of the past and present distribution, abundance, trends, ranges, diversity, evolution, and movements of living organisms. Detailed case studies of select taxa, including for example, marine mammals, trees, and insects, and comparison of biomes, the role of abiotic factors such as weather and fire, and ecological relationships among organisms. Theory and practical applications include aspects of ecological, historical, and conservation biogeography. Techniques in geographical and statistical analysis of spatial attributes and relationships. A one-day field trip may be included depending on weather.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 2090/Biology 2090, Biology 2200, or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science

Equivalent:​Geography 4030 (Advanced Biogeography) (prior to 2021/2022);
Environmental Science 4000 (Advanced Biogeography) (prior to 2021/2022)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

List/Subfield:​Biology List 3 - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Other hours per term: 0-0-8

An examination of the nature and spatial complexion of agricultural systems in advanced, market economics. The course will focus on various physical, economic, social and institutional forces which influence the geography of agriculture. Examples and case studies will be drawn mainly from North America and Western Europe. A one-day field trip (or two half-days) may be scheduled, preferably, but not necessarily, on a Saturday.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Agricultural Studies 1000 or a previous course (3.0 credit hours) in Geography AND
Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)
OR
Admission to the Post-Diploma B.A. or B.Sc. in Agricultural Studies.

Lib Ed Req:​Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

A consideration of the cross-cultural shaping of the use and perception of space and the role of place in shaping culture, including the cultural implications of how people create, move within, and assign value to the spaces around them.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Anthropology 1000 or Geography 1200 AND
Third-year Standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)

Equivalent:​Anthropology 3720 (prior to 2024/2025);
Geography 3850 (Place and Space) (prior to 2024/2025)

Lib Ed Req:​Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-8
Industrial geography is concerned with the location of industrial activity at local, continental and global scales of analysis. The course explores locational patterns and behaviour of small, medium-sized and transnational manufacturing firms with special emphasis on locational dynamics over time. By taking a geographical perspective, the course links the spatial behaviour of firms with economic development issues at the local, regional and global scales. A one-day field trip will be scheduled.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 2210 or Management 2030 OR admission to the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management program
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-12
Internal social geography of cities. Classical and contemporary approaches to the study of neighbourhood and community differentiation, social inequalities in the city, social segregation, social polarization, and urban social structure. Intra-urban variations in morphology, land use, crime, housing, deprivation, well-being, community conflict and community organizations. A full-day field trip may be scheduled on a weekend.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 1200
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
A theoretical examination of the spatial and temporal patterns of urbanization in developing countries. Topics include urban structural characteristics, urban-rural relations, regional disparities, housing, employment, and relationships between urbanization and development processes.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 1200 or Geography 2000 AND third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Introduction to social science research from a critical perspective. Theories and techniques in qualitative research design, data collection, and analysis including interviews, focus groups, discourse analysis, ethnography, and archival methods.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 1000 or Geography 1200 AND
Second-year standing (a minimum of 30.0 credit hours)

Lib Ed Req:​Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Climatology of the planetary boundary layer. An examination of the dynamic exchanges of radiation, energy, water, and carbon at the Earth-atmosphere interface. Topics addressed include: surface radiation balance; latent and sensible heat flux; air pollution in the boundary layer; carbon dynamics in agricultural and natural ecosystems; and implications of atmospheric change on land-atmosphere interactions and tropospheric climate.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 2300
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Overview of critical theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding borders, displacements, and nation-states in historical and contemporary contexts. Key concepts from the field of political geography including sovereignty, territoriality, settler colonialism, nationalism, governance, migration, transnationalism, citizenship, and security. While focused on the Canadian context, the course addresses global examples as relevant and brings Indigenous, settler colonial, and migration histories and geographies into conversation.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 1200, Women and Gender Studies 1000, Anthropology 1000, Sociology 1000, or Political Science 1000 AND
Second-year standing (a minimum of 30.0 credit hours)

Equivalent:​Geography 3850 (Political Geography: Borders and Displacement) (prior to 2021/2022);
Geography 3850 (Geography of Borders) (prior to 2021/2022)

Lib Ed Req:​Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
An introduction to hydrology. Components of the hydrological cycle, processes of water movement and storage, introduction to drainage basin form and process.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 2300 AND Geography 2700 AND One of Geography 2735, admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science, or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Wetlands are integral elements in many Canadian environments, with fragile but dynamic ecosystems, high levels of biodiversity, and complex hydrology and geomorphology. This course will explore wetland ecosystems, processes, classification (using ground and geospatial methods for the non-expert), and policy frameworks, and will also address critical issues of reclamation, value, and distribution.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 2090/Biology 2090, Geography 2300, or Environmental Science 2000

Equivalent:​Geography 3850 (Wetlands) (prior to 2020/2021);
Environmental Science 3000 (Wetlands) (prior to 2020/2021)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
This course provides an overview of tourism with an emphasis on socially and environmentally sustainable tourism. Topics covered include the nature and scope of tourism, public policy, tourism and economic development, tourism marketing, tourism impacts, aboriginal tourism, and ecotourism.
Prerequisite(s): Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
The evolving social, political and economic landscape of China. Development strategies and their effects on agriculture, population, industry, urbanization, city planning and the environment since 1949. Special attention paid to the post-reform market transformation, the interconnected development trajectories shaping urban and rural areas, and the changing role of China in the global political economy sphere.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 1200 or Geography 2000 AND Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)
Equivalent: Geography 3850 (The Changing Geography of China) (prior to 2015/2016)
Lib Ed Req: Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0

Fundamental principles and practical aspects of digital mapping. Cartographic concepts such as map scale, projections, coordinate systems, geodesy, control networks, geographic data processing, generalization, design, colour, and symbolization are covered in the context of the evolution of cartography and modern cloud-based mapping systems. State of the art mapping software is used in laboratory exercises and for the completion of a project.

Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 2735, admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science, or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-30
Mapping, recording and analysis of physical and cultural features in the southern Alberta landscape. Practical work to illustrate field research methodologies. Study projects will be carried out individually and in groups. Weekly field trips will be scheduled during the afternoon and may run as much as two hours beyond the lab period, especially where a considerable amount of travel time is required.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 2700 AND One of Geography 2030 or Geology 2060
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Principles of digital remote sensing and image analysis. Fundamentals of the electromagnetic spectrum. Analysis of the interaction of energy with the Earth and atmosphere using remote sensing systems. Computer laboratory work will involve digital image analysis with environmental applications.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 2735, admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Environmental Science, or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-3-0

Rationales and tools for statistical analysis of data and evidence are presented and explored for the natural sciences. Parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, statistical distribution measures, exploratory data analysis, univariate and multivariate statistical models, design of experiments, simulation modeling, basic geostatistics, applied spatial analysis, and critical thinking are presented and discussed with respect to case studies. Software includes SPSS, JMP, R, spreadsheets, and other standard tools.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 2700, Biology 2150, Psychology 2030, Sociology 2130, or Statistics 1770

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Geographical data, modelling, functions, data structures, and analysis. Spatial database management systems and applications. Laboratory work involves a variety of computer applications.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 2735, admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Environmental Science, or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-70
Review of the physical and human geography of the study area will be followed by information gathering and data analysis using geographical field techniques and equipment.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 1000, admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Environmental Science, or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science AND Geography 1200 AND Geography 2700
Recommended Background: Major in Geography, Environmental Science, Agricultural Studies, Urban and Regional Studies, Archaeology and Geography, Computer Science and Geographical Information Science, or Remote Sensing
Lib Ed Req: Science
Note: The field component of this course is mandatory and will take place during seven consecutive days prior to the start of the regular fall term.

Credit hours: 3.00
Other hours per term: 3-0-110
Extended field studies of specified regions. Studies will include field observation, discussion and interpretation of ancient and/or current societies and economic activities and the interactions of these with past and present environments. The focus of this course will be on human geography although some physical geography will be encountered. Inasmuch as this course involves travel to or residence at remote sites, costs borne by students vary but may range up to several thousand dollars.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 1200 AND Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)
Note: Three (3) lecture hours prior to the excursion are required of all students to ensure they understand all appropriate logistical and safety information.

Credit hours: 3.00
Other hours per term: 3-0-110
Extended field studies of specified regions. Studies will include field observation, discussion and interpretation of physical landscape evolution and processes past and present. The focus of this course will be on physical geography although some human geography will be encountered in the interactions of ancient and/or current societies with past and present environments. Inasmuch as this course involves travel to or residence at remote sites, costs borne by students vary but may range up to several thousand dollars.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 1000 AND Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours) OR one of admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Environmental Science or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Geography, with a Concentration in Geographical Information Science
Lib Ed Req: Science
Note: Three (3) lecture hours prior to the excursion are required of all students to ensure they understand all appropriate logistical and safety information.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Contemporary issues in the field of physical geography. Use of geographical examples to explain the physical environment and related processes. Exploration of the dynamic field of physical geography research.
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND additional prerequisites will be specified, including any recommended background, for individual offerings
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-16
Management and conservation of agricultural soils including effects of different crop management systems on soil properties. Topics include: soil fertility; soil and plant testing; commercial fertilizer; manure management; soil quality in both irrigated and dryland crop production systems; identification and management of problem soils; environmental concerns. Practical field experience is included. Two eight-hour field trips will be scheduled on Saturdays near the beginning of the fall term for field study of different soil types.
Prerequisite(s): One of Geography 3080 or admission to the Post-Diploma BSc in Environmental Science
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Seminar presentation of contemporary problems in economic geography.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 3225/Management 3660

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Seminar presentation of contemporary problems in urban geography.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 3230

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Other hours per term: 0-0-16

Introduction to the science, politics, and health and well-being challenges of climate change. Likely changes to personal and community lifestyles, and the consumption of energy and other resources. Population migration due to climate change impacts. Future impacts on human health, infrastructure, social and political changes, and the risks of military conflict due to the warming of the global climate. Infrastructure redevelopment, protection, and abandonment due to increasing climate, weather, and ocean changes.

Prerequisite(s):​Geography 2300

Recommended Background:
Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours)

Equivalent:​Geography 4030 (Climate Change: Science, Impacts, Solutions) (prior to 2020/2021)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Examination of the complex and reciprocal relationship between population dynamics and the environment. The focus pertains to how people respond to changing environments and how population processes influence the environment. Theoretical approaches and empirical research from a range of social sciences including sociology, geography, demography, human ecology, environmental economics, and political science.

Prerequisite(s):​Two courses (6.0 credit hours) in Sociology or Geography at the 3000 level AND
Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)

Equivalent:​Geography 4850 (Population and the Environment) (prior to 2022/2023);
Sociology 4850 (Population and the Environment) (prior to 2022/2023)

Lib Ed Req:​Social Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
The hydrological cycle. Interactions of the atmosphere, surface and subsurface water systems. Hydrological modelling using geographical information systems will be a major component of lectures and laboratory exercises.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 3400 AND Geography 3740
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Advanced planning courses instructed by faculty or experienced planning professionals.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 2535
Note: Additional prerequisites may be specified, including any recommended background, for individual offerings

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-3-0

Advanced topics and concepts in digital mapping and applications in the spatial sciences. Development, analysis, and integration of multisource geographical data and spatial cartographic databases. Cloud-based mapping, geospatial apps, and location-based processing involving graphics, animation, visualization, machine learning, augmented/virtual reality, and mobile digital earth mapping of geographical phenomena. Spatial analysis project work will be emphasized and supported by laboratory mapping exercises.

Prerequisite(s):​Geography 3700

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-10
Field measurement for airborne and satellite image analysis. The spatial, spectral, radiometric, biophysical, ecological and morphometric properties of the Earth's surface will be measured, analysed, mapped and modelled. Field instrumentation, use, interpretation, analysis and validation as well as instruction in spectroradiometry, global positioning systems, ecological data collection, computer image analysis, and GIS will be provided. Includes field work and computer laboratory exercises.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 3720
Recommended Background: A course in data analysis
Lib Ed Req: Science
Note: May involve off-campus field work and require a field trip fee.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Digital image analysis of aerial and satellite data for earth observation and studies of environmental and landuse change from local to global scales. Computer graphics and image processing in spatial, spectral and time dimensions. Data integration, classification, predictive models and fundamentals of spectroradiometry. Laboratory work will focus on digital image analysis software and applications.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 3720
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Advanced and applied topics in geographical information science, with a focus on spatial analysis, data visualization, geographical problem solving, and new directions. GIS projects will be emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 3740
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

A project-based course examining spatial patterns and processes using an array of advanced spatial-analytical techniques including Geographical Information Systems. Simulation, prediction, and diffusion of various phenomena and spatial structures through geographic space and over time. Applications to encompass the breadth of geography's subfields and related areas of study.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Geography 3720 or Geography 3740

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Contemporary issues in remote sensing and image analysis. Advanced approaches to classification, modelling, change detection and scaling. The role of remote sensing science in integrated studies of global change. Research and new directions.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 4725
Substantially Similar: Geography 5753
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Overview of element cycling on Earth, from local to global scales. Transfer of energy and nutrients within terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Movement of elements (for example, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and sulfur) along with their incorporation into other minerals and solutes as they transfer from the atmosphere, through terrestrial ecosystems, and into aquatic systems. Emphasis will be placed on how modern biogeochemical cycles of individual elements came to be, and how human activities are modifying these cycles.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Chemistry 2000, Chemistry 2120, Geography 3440/Environmental Science 3440, or Geography 3400 AND
One of Biology 2150 or Geography 2700 AND
Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours) AND
A major in Biological Sciences, Geography, or Environmental Science

Equivalent:​Biology 4850 (Biogeochemistry) (prior to 2024/2025);
Environmental Science 4000 (Biogeochemistry) (prior to 2024/2025)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-3-0

Limnology (the study of lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands) is the science that underlies protection of water quality and fisheries. Introduction to aquatic communities and the properties of aquatic ecosystems. Topics covered include: the watershed and its hydrology; fluxes of nutrients and materials through aquatic systems; ecosystem structure and habitat dynamics; an evaluation of major plant, animal, and microbial communities; food webs and feeding interactions; human impacts on limnological properties of systems.

Prerequisite(s):​One of Biology 2200, Geography 3440/Environmental Science 3440, Geography 3400, or admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science AND
One of Biology 2150 or Geography 2700 AND
Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)

Lib Ed Req:​Science

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

History and theory of geography from the Greeks to the present. Current status of geography in major nations of the world.

Prerequisite(s):​Three courses (9.0 credit hours) in Geography

Lib Ed Req:​Social Science

Credit hours: 6.00
Contact hours per week: Variable
This is a research-oriented course in which students will conduct empirical research, submit a report in the form of an Undergraduate Thesis which will be made publicly available, and report orally on the work. In consultation with their Thesis Supervisor, students will define a research problem and formulate a research plan.
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher AND an Independent Study (3990) in Geography or Geology
Note: Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-3-0
Other hours per term: 0-0-8
Origin, composition and structure of the earth; identification of common rocks and mineral resources; evolution of the surface features of continents and ocean basins. A one-day field trip will be scheduled on a Saturday.
Recommended Background: Geography 1000
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 3.00
Contact hours per week: 3-0-0
Theoretical and applied treatment of the physical principles of remote sensing. Composition and structure of the earth's atmosphere, radiative transfer principles and their application to remote sensing, radiometric processing, calibration and validation, hyperspectral image processing, absorption line formation and lineshapes, instrumentation for measuring radiation fields, microwave and radar remote sensing, and the retrieval of physical parameters. Selected topics in earth observation and astronomy.
Prerequisite(s): Geography 3720
Equivalent: Physics 4650 (prior to 2016/2017)
Lib Ed Req: Science

Credit hours: 6.00
Contact hours per week: Variable
This is a challenging, work-intensive, research-oriented course in which students will conduct fieldwork, text, library-based or empirical research, submit a report in the form of an Undergraduate Thesis which will be made publicly available, and report orally on the work. In consultation with their Thesis Supervisor, students will define a research problem and formulate a research plan.
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher
Note: Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.

Credit hours: 6.00
Contact hours per week: Variable
This is an intensive, research-oriented course in which students will conduct empirical research, submit a report in the form of an Undergraduate Thesis which will be made publicly available, and report orally on the work.
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher AND one Independent Study (3990) or Applied Study (3980) course (3.0 credit hours) with an Urban & Regional Studies focus AND approval of the Coordinator of Urban & Regional Studies
Note: Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.