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Note: This is the 2022–2023 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Note: This is the 2022–2023 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
The BSc Major in Geography provides students with strong training in the theory and tools of physical geography. Students will explore the science of how physical, chemical, and biological processes interact at various spatial and temporal scales to produce distinct environments over the planet, and study different suites of ecosystem services while investigating sustainability challenges for human communities that depend on them. The program includes core training in systematic areas of physical geography (geomorphology, hydrology, soil biogeochemistry, biogeography and climatology), field courses providing hands on exposure to environmental data collection, and courses in quantitative techniques and in GIS and Remote Sensing..
Geography : An introduction to Geographic Information Systems. The systematic management of spatial data. The use and construction of maps. The use of microcomputers and software for mapping and statistical work. Air photo and topographic map analyses.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Elrick, Tim (Fall)
Fall
3 hours and lab
Geography : An introduction to system-level interactions among climate, hydrology, soils and vegetation at the scale of drainage basins, including the study of the global geographical variability in these land-surface systems. The knowledge acquired is used to study the impact on the environment of various human activities such as deforestation and urbanisation.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L; Roulet, Nigel Thomas; von Sperber, Christian (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
Restriction: Because of quantitative science content of course, not recommended for B.A. and B.Ed. students in their U0 year.
Geography : Introduction to the study of landforms as products of geomorphic and geologic systems acting at and near the Earth's surface. The process geomorphology approach will be used to demonstrate how landforms of different geomorphic settings represent a dynamic balance between forces acting in the environment and the physical properties of materials present.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Bendixen, Mette (Winter)
Fall
3 hours
Geography : Introduction to landscape interpretation and geographical site analysis in physical and human geography. A three-day fall excursion with preparatory and concluding seminars.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Coomes, Oliver T; Robinson, Brian; von Sperber, Christian; Bendixen, Mette (Fall)
Fall
1 credit
Restrictions: Open to first-year Geography Major and Honours students only.
A fee of $412.99 is charged to all students registered in GEOG 290. This course is held at Mont Sutton, in the Eastern Townships during a week-end in mid-September. The fee is used to support the cost of transportation, accommodations, local fees and all meals
Geography : Multiple regression and correlation, logit models, discrete choice models, gravity models, facility location algorithms, survey design, population projection.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Sharma, Bidhya (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 202 or equivalent or permission of instructor
You may not be able to get credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
3 credits of statistics:
Note: Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students in Science should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Science.
Biology (Sci) : Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Fall
2 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: MATH 112 or equivalent
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
Geography : Exploratory data analysis, univariate descriptive and inferential statistics, non-parametric statistics, correlation and simple regression. Problems associated with analysing spatial data such as the 'modifiable areal unit problem' and spatial autocorrelation. Statistics measuring spatial pattern in point, line and polygon data.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Zhang, Hongyu (Fall)
Fall
2.5 hours and lab
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Examples of statistical data and the use of graphical means to summarize the data. Basic distributions arising in the natural and behavioural sciences. The logical meaning of a test of significance and a confidence interval. Tests of significance and confidence intervals in the one and two sample setting (means, variances and proportions).
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Sajjad, Alia; Kreitewolf, Jens (Fall) Nadarajah, Tharshanna (Winter) Sajjad, Alia (Summer)
No calculus prerequisites
Restriction: This course is intended for students in all disciplines. For extensive course restrictions covering statistics courses see Section 3.6.1 of the Arts and of the Science sections of the calendar regarding course overlaps.
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar. Students should consult for information regarding transfer credits for this course.
Psychology : The statistical analysis of research data; frequency distributions; graphic representation; measures of central tendency and variability; elementary sampling theory and tests of significance.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Summer 2023
Instructors: Flake, Jessica (Fall) Kreitewolf, Jens (Winter) Kreitewolf, Jens (Summer)
Fall and Winter
Restriction: Not open to students who have passed a CEGEP statistics course(s) with a minimum grade of 75%: Mathematics 201-307 or 201-337 or equivalent or the combination of Quantitative Methods 300 with Mathematics 300
This course is a prerequisite for PSYC 305, PSYC 406, PSYC 310, PSYC 336
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
Sociology (Arts) : This is an introductory course in descriptive and inferential statistics. The course is designed to help students develop a critical attitude toward statistical argument. It serves as a background for further statistics courses, helping to provide the intuition which can sometimes be lost amid the formulas.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Marshall, Zachary (Fall)
Prerequisite: SOCI 211
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PSYC 204, PSYC 305 or ECON 227
You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.
9 credits of systematic physical geography:
Geography : Discussion of the major properties of soils; soil formation, classification and mapping; land capability assessment; the role and response of soils in natural and disturbed environments (e.g. global change, ecosystem disturbance).
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: von Sperber, Christian (Winter)
Fall
3 hours and laboratory
Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or introductory course in biology or geology
Geography : The earth-atmosphere system, radiation and energy balances. Surface-atmosphere exchange of energy, mass and momentum and related atmospheric processes on a local and regional scale. Introduction to measurement theory and practice in micrometeorology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Geography : Quantitative, experimental study of the principles governing the movement of water at or near the Earth's surface and how the research relates to the chemistry and biology of ecosystems.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Ali, Genevieve (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 203 or equivalent
Geography : The course focuses on the physical habitat conditions found in streams, rivers, estuaries and deltas. Based on the laws governing flow of water and sediment transport, it emphasizes differences among these environments, in terms of channel form, flow patterns, substrate composition and mode of evolution. Flooding, damming, channelisation, forestry impacts.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Geography : Introduction to the principles of periglacial and permafrost science and its field context in the Canadian North. Objectives focus on the geomorphic significance of freezing and frozen ground and training in field methods of permafrost mapping, measurement and interpretation.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 203, GEOG 205, GEOG 272, GEOG 372, ENVR 200, ENVR 202, EPSC 203, EPSC 210, EPSC 212, EPSC 220, EPSC 233, ATOC 214, ATOC 215, ATOC 219, SOIL 300.
Note(s): 1. This course is one of a set of four field courses (ATOC 373, EPSC 373, GEOG 373, and ATOC/EPSC/GEOG 473) designed to be taken concurrently. It complements programs in natural science disciplines by providing students with specialized field training and research experience focusing on the unique environmental conditions of cold polar systems. 2. Cost includes transportation, room and board, field expenses. Students are charged $12,000 for the four courses combined: ATOC, 373, EPSC 373, GEOG 373, and ATOC/EPSC/GEOG 473. 3. Arctic localities: Iqaluit, Resolute Bay, and Central Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian High Arctic.
Corequisite(s): ATOC 373, EPSC 373, [ATOC 473 or EPSC 473 or GEOG 473]
Geography : An examination of the structure, function and utility of wetlands. Topics include the fluxes of energy and water, wetland biogeochemistry, plant ecology in freshwater and coastal wetlands and wetlands use, conservation and restoration. Field trip(s) are envisaged to illustrate issues covered in class.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Chmura, Gail L (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
Restriction: Permission of instructor.
3 credits of field courses:
(Field course availability is determined each year in February.)
Geography : Field research projects in physical geography. Held locally in Monteregian or Eastern Township regions. The course is organised around field projects designed to formulate and test scientific hypotheses in a physical geography discipline. May Summer session.
Terms: Summer 2023
Instructors: von Sperber, Christian (Summer)
2-week field school
Prerequisites: 6 credits from the following list of Systematic Physical Geography courses: GEOG 305, GEOG 321, GEOG 322, GEOG 350, GEOG 372
Additional Dept. fee $563.10 will be charged to student fee account to cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, local fees and all meals for approximately 12 nights, as the course is held at the Gault Estate at Mont St.-Hilaire during May.
Geography : Lecture course on the geography of a region and excursion through the selected country or region including landscape interpretation and field study projects.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Winter)
Winter
Prerequisites: GEOG 290 and permission of instructor
Instructor's approval required.
A fee of $2650.25 in Winter is charged to all students registered in GEOG 496 Geographical Excursion. The course is held in Barbados, West Indies and is given during the last week of February (Study Break). The fee is used to support the cost of transportation, accommodations, local fees and some meals for ten days. Note that the trip to Barbados is compulsory if you enroll for GEOG 496
Geography : An introduction to the geography of the subarctic with emphasis on the application of field methods in physical and/or human geography.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Fall
Instructor's approval required.
A fee of $2,056.65 is charged to all students registered in GEOG 499 Subarctic Field Studies. This course is held at Schefferville, Quebec in late August through early September. The fee is used to support the cost of transportation, accommodations, local fees and all meals. The department subsidizes a portion of the cost of this compulsory activity for each student registered in a Geography Major or Honours program.
Students must take a total of 15 credits from the next 2 blocks; they will choose 9 credits from one block and 6 credits from the other block, depending on their training focus.
6 or 9 credits of environmental analysis/techniques
Geography : A conceptual view of remote sensing and the underlying physical principles. Covers ground-based, aerial, satellite systems, and the electromagnetic spectrum, from visible to microwave. Emphasis on application of remotely sensed data in geography including land cover change and ecological processes.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Osei Darko, Patrick (Fall)
Fall
3 hours and laboratory periods
Corequisite: GEOG 201 or permission of instructor
Geography : Overview of both the theoretical and applied aspects of geographic information science and systems. Topics will include spatial analysis techniques, geographic models as abstractions of the real world, spatial data manipulation and management, and conceptual issues related to geographic data and technology. Introduction to a number of leading commercial software including ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: McKenzie, Grant (Winter)
Geography : Theory and practice of geospatial web, including examining spatial data accuracy and uncertainty of user generated content; Understanding motivations of contributors of volunteered geographic information for purposes like citizen science and crisis mapping; Critically evaluating political, societal, economic and legal issues in online mapping applications; Developing geospatial applications and identifying basic problem solving requirements for geospatial apps. For proposed 
solutions, evaluating and justifying various existing and emergent geospatial technologies and enabling software stacks; Exploring underlying methods of digital earth architectures; Understanding implications to geospatial analysis and visualization of real time streaming data and mobile sensors
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Sieber, Renee (Fall)
Geography : Advanced techniques in geospatial analysis. Geospatial methods and using geospatial information systems. Topics: geodatabases, interpolation techniques, spatial classification methods, data mining and machine learning, including working with a number of leading commercial software including ESRI’s ArcGIS Desktop/Pro.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Sengupta, Raja (Fall)
6 or 9 credits in (Environment, Earth System and Sustainability sciences)
Environment : A systems approach to study the different components of the environment involved in global climate change: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The interactions among these components. Their role in global climate change. The human dimension to global change.
Terms: Fall 2022, Winter 2023
Instructors: Fabry, Frederic; Lovat, Christie; Pagnucco, Katie (Fall) Lovat, Christie; Bennett, Elena (Winter)
Fall
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
Environment : This course deals with how scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional and behavioural factors mediate society-environment interactions. Issues discussed include population and resources; consumption, impacts and institutions; integrating environmental values in societal decision-making; and the challenges associated with, and strategies for, promoting sustainability. Case studies in various sectors and contexts are used.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Manaugh, Kevin; Barrington-Leigh, Chris; Cardille, Jeffrey; Garver, Geoffrey (Fall)
Fall
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
Environment : Formation of the Earth and the evolution of life. How geological and biological change are the consequence of history, chance, and necessity acting over different scales of space and time. General principles governing the formation of modern landscapes and biotas. Effects of human activities on natural systems.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Leung, Brian; Mahmoudi, Nagissa; Soper, Fiona; Lovat, Christie (Winter)
Winter
Section 001: Downtown Campus
Section 051: Macdonald Campus
Earth System Science : Complex interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. Biological, chemical and physical processes within and between each "sphere" that extend over spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of planetary orbits and that span time scales from fractions of a second to billions of years.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite(s): ENVR 200 or permission of instructor.
Earth System Science : An understanding of the biological, chemical and physical fundamentals of the Earth system and how the different components interact. The mechanisms controlling interactions between reservoirs are quantitatively investigated. Special emphasis on the development and response of the Earth system to perturbations.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Tremblay, Bruno (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ESYS 200 or equivalent.
Geography : An ecological analysis of the physical and biotic components of natural resource systems. Emphasis on scientific, technological and institutional aspects of environmental management. Study of the use of biological resources and of the impact of individual processes.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Fall)
3 hours
Prerequisite: Any 200-level course in Geography or MSE or BIOL 308 or permission of instructor.
Geography : Examines challenges to sustainability through a series of case studies to illustrate the analytical approaches used to understand the linkages between scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional, ethical, and human behavioural aspect of systems. Includes cases that are thematic and place-based, national and international, spanning from the local to global scales.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Robinson, Brian (Winter)
Geography : Through engaging in real-world sustainability challenges through hands-on research, learn to critically analyze problems that arise at the interface of multiple disciplines including the scientific-technological, socio-economic, political-institutional, ethical, and human behavioural. Develop an understanding of the leverages and road blocks in achieving a sustainability transition.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: MacDonald, Graham (Fall)
Fall
Prerequisite: GEOG 360
9 credits on human-environment linkages
Geography : Introduction to key themes in human geography. Maps and the making, interpretation and contestation of landscapes, 'place', and territory. Investigation of globalization and the spatial organization of human geo-politics, and urban and rural environments.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Winter
3 hours
Geography : The course introduces the geography of the world economic system. It describes the spatial distribution of economic activities and examines the factors which influence their changing location. Case studies from both "developed" and "developing" countries will test the different geographical theories presented in lectures.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Coomes, Oliver T; Breau, Sébastien (Fall)
Fall
3 hours
Geography : An introduction to urban geography. Uses a spatial/geographic perspective to understand cities and their social and cultural processes. Addresses two major areas. The development and social dynamics in North American and European cities. The urban transformations in Asian, African, and Latin American societies that were recently predominantly rural and agrarian.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Forest, Benjamin; Moser, Sarah (Winter)
Note: Winter
Note: 3 hours
Geography : This course introduced physical and social environments as factors in human health, with emphasis on the physical properties of the atmospheric environment as they interact with diverse human populations in urban settings.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
3 hours
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 221.
In Fall 2019, GEOG 221 will be taught at Macdonald campus. This course is also offered as NRSC 221. Students enrolled in downtown campus programs register in GEOG 221; students enrolled in Macdonald campus programs register in NRSC 221.
Geography : Discussion of the research questions and methods of health geography. Particular emphasis on health inequalities at multiple geographic scales and the theoretical links between characteristics of places and the health of people.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Javaheri, Kiana (Winter)
Geography : Geographical dimensions of rural/urban livelihoods in the face of socioeconomic and environmental change in developing regions. Emphasis on household natural resource use, survival strategies and vulnerability, decision-making, formal and informal institutions, migration, and development experience in contrasting global environments.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Geography : Different theories and approaches to understanding the spatial organization of economic activities. Regional case studies drawn from North America, Europe and Asia used to reinforce concepts. Emphasis also on city-regions and their interaction with the global economy.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Breau, Sébastien (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 216 or permission of instructor
Geography : Discusses the history and development of urban transportation systems, as well as problems and potential solutions from a geographic perspective. Specific topics include analysis of the social, economic, and environmental impacts; interaction of land use and transportation systems; the analysis of urban travel behaviour; and the implications of various policy alternatives.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 217 or permission of instructor
6 credits of approved advanced courses in Geography, or elsewhere in the Faculty of Science that have been approved by the Program Adviser, including any geography courses from the above complementary lists.
Admission to 500-level courses in Geography requires the instructor's permission. It is not advisable to take more than one 500-level course in a term.
Geography : Conceptual and simulation models of key case studies for developing system thinking, including system stability, threshold dynamics in regime shifts, resilience, and adaptive environmental management.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: MacDonald, Graham (Winter)
Geography : Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama).
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Meredith, Thomas C (Winter)
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor
Geography : An examination of the storage, transfers and cycling of major elements and substances, with an emphasis on the global scale and the linkages between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Geography : Critically analyse major themes in geographic information science and draw out the practical ramifications for spatial technologies and research. Topics such as spatial interoperability, data quality, scale, visualization, location based services and ontologies are covered.
Terms: Winter 2023
Instructors: Sengupta, Raja (Winter)
Geography : Linkages and feedbacks among climate, ecosystems, and human land use at global scales. How global-scale ecological processes (primary production, carbon cycle, etc.) are driven by variations in climate and land use practices such as agriculture and deforestation. How natural and human-modified ecosystems exchange carbon and water with the atmosphere.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Fall
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 203 and 321 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor
Geography : Linkage of physical processes (hydrology and ecosystems) with issues of societal and socio-economic relevance (land, food, and water use appropriation for human well-being). Application of a holistic perspective on land, food and water issues in an international setting, highlighting linkages, feedbacks and trade-offs in an Earth system context.
Terms: Fall 2022
Instructors: Lehner, Bernhard; MacDonald, Graham (Fall)
Geography : Basic photogrammetry and interpretation procedures for aircraft and space craft photography and imagery.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Winter
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 308 and written permission of instructor
Geography : Study of the unique geomorphic aspects of periglacial and permafrost environments. The focus will be on processes in cold climates, the impact of human activity on permafrost landscapes and potential impacts of climatic change.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Fall
3 hours
Prerequisite: GEOG 272 and any 300-level geomorphology course approved by instructor
Geography : An examination of current advances in fluvial geomorphology: sediment entrainment and transport, alluviation and river channel evolution.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Winter
Prerequisite (Undergraduate): permission of instructor
Geography : Principles and methods of Quaternary paleoecology and vegetation reconstruction. Examination of ecosystem response to human disturbance and environmental change.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Geography : A broad overview of ecological restoration. Considers causes of environmental degradation, why and what we restore, how restoration goals are set, and standards in restoration practice, as well as critiques and philosophies of ecological restoration, such as "ecocultural" restoration.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2022-2023 academic year.