Geography is concerned with both the natural and human environment, studying how it has been shaped according to human need, how patterns of human activities are structured over space, and how these are influenced by environmental factors.
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) Academic Plans in Geography (Honours and General) provide students with considerable freedom to choose supporting electives from many departments in the University. Students can develop plans to suit their particular interests. Joint Honours Plans with a number of other departments are listed in "Joint Honours Academic Plans."
The Regular Honours Geography Plan 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 of the courses include a series of integrated courses in both physical and human geography. Although the Honours Plan is broad in scope, students may concentrate their courses in one area of specialization offered in the Department: Biophysical Systems; Geomatics; and Society, Environment and Economy. The fourth year includes the option of completing a research project, the Senior Honours Thesis.
The Honours Co-op Plan provides for alternate terms of practical work experience and academic study. Students may be admitted to the Co-op Plan 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 Plan provides a liberal education in environmental studies, with less specialization in Geography than in the Honours Plan. In addition to the BES (Bachelor of Environmental Studies) Academic Plan in Geography, a BA (Bachelor of Arts) Plan is also available in Geography (see the Faculty of Arts).
In all academic plans 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 plan are enhanced by the availability in the Faculty of elective courses in Environment and Resource Studies and Planning. Graduating students acquire a variety of jobs in education, government, industry, and planning agencies.
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; Tourism and Regional Geography.
The formal admission requirements are listed in the "Admissions" section of this calendar. The Faculty of Environmental Studies expects that students enrolled in any of its academic plans should be able to demonstrate competence in writing. Accordingly, all students newly admitted to the Faculty are required to write the English Language Proficiency Examination during their first term of enrolment (normally scheduled during the first week in December).