Environment Academic Plans

For an overview of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management academic and career objectives, see the Faculty of Environment website.

Year One

• GEOG 100 On Becoming a Geographer
• GEOG 101 Human Geographies: People, Space and Change
• GEOG 102 Global Environmental Systems: Processes and Change
• GEOG 181 Designing Effective Maps
• ENVS 178 Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
• ENVS 278 Applied Statistics for Environmental Research
• One of:
  • ENGL 109 Introduction to Academic Writing
  • EMLS 129R Written Academic English
• Electives totaling 1.5 units

Total of 5.0 units

Year Two

• One of:
  • GEOG 293 Approaches to Research in Human Geography
  • GEOG 294 Approaches to Research in Physical Geography
• Six of:
  • GEOG 202 Geography of the Global Economy
  • GEOG 203 Environment and Development in a Global Perspective
  • GEOG 205 Principles of Geomorphology
  • GEOG 207 Climate Change Fundamentals
  • GEOG 209 Hydroclimatology
  • GEOG 271 Earth from Space Using Remote Sensing
  • GEOG 281 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Electives totaling 1.5 units

Total of 5.0 units

Year Three

• One of:
  • GEOG 391 Field Research
  • GEOG 392 International Field Research
• 4.5 units to fulfil degree requirements (see Note 1)

Total of 5.0 units 

Students are strongly encouraged to take courses relevant to one of the specializations.

Year Four

• 5.0 units to fulfil degree requirements (see Note 1)

Total of 5.0 units

Co-op students, see Note 3.

Notes

1. Minimum Required Units
   
   • Total: 20.0 units
   • Core requirements: 12.0 units (up to 1.5 ENVS units may be counted as Geography units)
   • Year Three and Year Four Requirements
     • Minimum of 4.5 units of GEOG courses:
       • 1.0 unit at or above 200-level
       • 1.0 unit at or above 300-level
       • 2.5 units at 400-level
   • Minimum units at or above 200-level: 13.5 units
2. Average Requirements
   
   • Minimum cumulative major average of 70% (all ENVS and GEOG courses); and
   • minimum cumulative overall average of 65% (all courses).
3. Co-op Requirements
   For details, see the Environment Overview of Co-op Plan Requirements section of this Calendar.
   
   Students are admitted to the co-op academic plan in first year based on secondary school grades. Interested students enrolled in first-year regular Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo may be considered for admission (if space is still available in the co-op plan) at the end of first year based on university academic performance, an interview, and work experience related to Geography. The Honours Geography and Environmental Management co-op plan has the same academic requirements as the honours regular plan.
4. Per Term Course Load Allowance
   No more than 2.5 units may be taken in a term without the approval of the associate chair, undergraduate studies, Geography and Environmental Management. Normally, approval for a sixth 0.5 unit will be considered only if the cumulative major average is 78% or higher.
5. Independent Study
   Up to three independent study GEOG 475 courses may be taken.
6. General Information Applicable to all Faculty of Environment Plans
   • If a minimum grade of 65% is achieved in ENGL 109 or EMLS 129R, the Undergraduate Communication Requirement (UCR) milestone will be granted. If the minimum grade is not met, review the Overview of Academic Plan Requirements page and contact the Geography and Environmental Management academic advisor.  
   • The Environment Academic Regulations section of this Calendar contains information, regulations, and requirements pertaining to undergraduate studies within the Faculty. It is students' responsibility to familiarize themselves with the content of this section.
   • A number of Faculty of Environment options, minors, and diplomas are available. A list and requirements are outlined under the Faculty of Environment Academic Plans section in this Calendar.