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Geography (GEOG)
Location
Location
- Burnside Hall, Room 705
- 805 Sherbrooke Street West
- Montreal, Quebec H3A 2K6
- Telephone: 514-398-4951 (or leave message 514-398-4111)
- Fax: 514-398-7437
- Website:
About Geography
About Geography
The Geography Department offers programs in both Arts and Science. See Faculty of Science > Geography (GEOG) for B.Sc. Geography programs, a list of teaching staff, an outline of the nature of Geography and the opportunities for study in this discipline.
Geography is a broad, holistic discipline - both a natural and a social science because it examines people and their environment and serves as a bridge between physical and cultural processes. Human Geography (a social science, thus B.A. programs) is concerned especially with the political, economic, social, and cultural processes and resource practices that create spatial patterns and that define particular places. Physical Geography (B.Sc. programs) integrates disciplines such as climatology, geomorphology, geology, biology, hydrology, ecology, soil science and even marine science. Whether considering greenhouse gas emissions, the spread of disease, or threats to biodiversity, in all cases, geographers are interested in where things happen, why, and with what consequences.
Our graduates go on to careers in environmental consulting, social agencies or non-governmental organizations. Skills in Geographic Information Science (GIS) are very marketable. Students are well prepared for graduate work in social sciences, urban planning and environmental studies at leading schools.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
There are no departmental prerequisites for entrance to the B.A. Major Concentrations or Honours programs in Geography. It is helpful for Arts students to include 6 credits of Mathematics in their CEGEP or pre-university programs. A student who has completed college or pre-university geography courses fully equivalent to those of first year university may, with the adviser's approval, substitute other courses as part of the Major Concentrations or Honours programs. B.A. students in U0 are invited to take GEOG 205 for science credit and GEOG 200 for social science credit.
Jump To:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geography (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geographic Information Systems (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geography (Urban Systems) (18 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Geography (36 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Geography - Urban Systems (36 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Geography (60 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Urban Systems (60 credits)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Geography (36 credits)
- Geography (GEOG) Related Programs and Study Semesters
- Geography Courses of Most Interest to Arts Students
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geography (18 credits)
The Minor Concentration Geography is designed to provide students in the Faculty of Arts with an overview of basic elements of human geography at the introductory and advanced level.
This minor concentration may be expanded into the Major Concentration Geography but not into the Major Concentration Geography - Urban Systems.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geographic Information Systems (18 credits)
This minor concentration is designed to provide students in the Faculty of Arts who have an interest in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with a basic, but comprehensive knowledge of concepts and methods relating to the analysis of geospatial data.
This minor concentration may be expanded into the Major Concentration Geography but not into the Major Concentration Geography - Urban Systems.
Complementary Courses (3 credits)
3 credits selected from:
ATOC 309 | (3) | Weather Radars and Satellites |
COMP 420 | (3) | Secondary Storage Algorithms and Data Structures |
COMP 557 | (3) | Fundamentals of Computer Graphics |
GEOG 535 | (3) | Remote Sensing and Interpretation |
GEOG 551 | (3) | Environmental Decisions |
URBP 505 | (3) | Geographic Information Systems |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geography (Urban Systems) (18 credits)
This minor concentration may be expanded into the Major Concentration Geography (Urban Systems).
Architecture
Although Architecture courses have prerequisites, they are waived for Urban Systems students, but the course may not be taken before the year indicated:
U2 - ARCH 378;
U3 - ARCH 515, ARCH 527, ARCH 528, ARCH 529, and ARCH 550.
ARCH 550 requires permission of the Geography adviser.
Note: ARCH 550 has the same content as CIVE 433 but requires an additional project.
ARCH 378 | (3) | Site Usage |
ARCH 515 | (3) | Sustainable Design |
ARCH 527 | (3) | Civic Design |
ARCH 528 | (3) | History of Housing |
ARCH 529 | (3) | Housing Theory |
ARCH 550 | (3) | Urban Planning and Development |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Geography (36 credits)
This program is designed to cover the main elements of human geography.
Statistics
3 credits from:
Note: Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Arts.
BIOL 373 | (3) | Biometry |
GEOG 202 | (3) | Statistics and Spatial Analysis |
MATH 203 | (3) | Principles of Statistics 1 |
PSYC 204 | (3) | Introduction to Psychological Statistics |
SOCI 350 | (3) | Statistics in Social Research |
Field Courses
3 credits from:
Note: Field course offerings are determined each year in February.
GEOG 290 | (1) | Local Geographical Excursion |
GEOG 398 | (3) | Field Studies in Human Geography |
GEOG 494 | (3) | Urban Field Studies |
GEOG 495 | (3) | Field Studies - Physical Geography |
GEOG 496 | (3) | Geographical Excursion |
GEOG 497 | (3) | Ecology of Coastal Waters |
GEOG 499 | (3) | Subarctic Field Studies |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Geography - Urban Systems (36 credits)
This interdisciplinary concentration exposes students to the various approaches to urban studies in many disciplines. Students who wish to retain the option of entering a Geography honours program should include GEOG 201, GEOG 203, GEOG 216 and GEOG 272 as well as the 9 credits of Required Courses listed below.
Students should observe the levels indicated by course numbers: 200-level are first year (U1); 300-level, second year (U2); 400- or 500-level, third year (U3).
For students majoring in Urban Systems, the total number of credits permitted outside Arts and Science is 30. Faculty of Arts regulations about "Courses Outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science" may be found with the Arts guidelines for "Course Requirements".Â
Statistics
3 credits from:
Note: Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Arts.
BIOL 373 | (3) | Biometry |
GEOG 202 | (3) | Statistics and Spatial Analysis |
MATH 203 | (3) | Principles of Statistics 1 |
PSYC 204 | (3) | Introduction to Psychological Statistics |
SOCI 350 | (3) | Statistics in Social Research |
Architecture
Although Architecture courses have prerequisites, they are waived for Urban Systems students, but the course may not be taken before the year indicated:
U2 - ARCH 378;
U3 - ARCH 515, ARCH 520, ARCH 527, ARCH 528, ARCH 529, and ARCH 550.
ARCH 550 requires permission of the Geography adviser.
Note: ARCH 550 has the same content as CIVE 433 but requires an additional project.
ARCH 378 | (3) | Site Usage |
ARCH 515 | (3) | Sustainable Design |
ARCH 520 | (3) | Montreal: Urban Morphology |
ARCH 527 | (3) | Civic Design |
ARCH 528 | (3) | History of Housing |
ARCH 529 | (3) | Housing Theory |
ARCH 550 | (3) | Urban Planning and Development |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Geography (60 credits)
The B.A. Honours Geography program is more concentrated and focused than the Major Concentration.
In addition to the Faculty of Arts requirement that Honours students maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00, students in a Geography Honours Program must maintain a program GPA of at least 3.30 and complete a 6-credit Honours thesis. Honours students are encouraged to participate in 500-level seminars with graduate students.
Required Courses (15 credits)
GEOG 201 | (3) | Introductory Geo-Information Science |
GEOG 351 | (3) | Quantitative Methods |
GEOG 381 | (3) | Geographic Thought and Practice |
GEOG 491D1 | (3) | Honours Research |
GEOG 491D2 | (3) | Honours Research |
Statistics
3 credits from:
Note: Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Arts.
BIOL 373 | (3) | Biometry |
GEOG 202 | (3) | Statistics and Spatial Analysis |
MATH 203 | (3) | Principles of Statistics 1 |
PSYC 204 | (3) | Introduction to Psychological Statistics |
SOCI 350 | (3) | Statistics in Social Research |
Field Courses
3 credits from:
Note: Field course offerings are determined each year in February.
GEOG 290 | (1) | Local Geographical Excursion |
GEOG 398 | (3) | Field Studies in Human Geography |
GEOG 494 | (3) | Urban Field Studies |
GEOG 495 | (3) | Field Studies - Physical Geography |
GEOG 496 | (3) | Geographical Excursion |
GEOG 497 | (3) | Ecology of Coastal Waters |
GEOG 499 | (3) | Subarctic Field Studies |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Urban Systems (60 credits)
The B.A. Honours Urban Systems program is more concentrated and focused than the Major Concentration. In addition to the Faculty of Arts requirement that Honours students maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00, students in a Geography Honours Program must maintain a program GPA of at least 3.30 and complete a 6-credit Honours thesis. Honours students are encouraged to participate in 500-level seminars with graduate students.
Students should observe the levels indicated by course numbers: 200-level are first year (U1); 300-level, second year (U2); 400- or 500-level, third year (U3).
For students in the Honours Urban Systems, the total number of credits permitted outside Arts and Science is 30. Faculty of Arts regulations about "Courses Outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science" may be found with the Arts guidelines for "Course Requirements".Â
Required Courses (21 credits)
GEOG 201 | (3) | Introductory Geo-Information Science |
GEOG 217 | (3) | Cities in the Modern World |
GEOG 351 | (3) | Quantitative Methods |
GEOG 381 | (3) | Geographic Thought and Practice |
GEOG 491D1 | (3) | Honours Research |
GEOG 491D2 | (3) | Honours Research |
GEOG 494 | (3) | Urban Field Studies |
Statistics
3 credits from:
Note: Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Arts.
BIOL 373 | (3) | Biometry |
GEOG 202 | (3) | Statistics and Spatial Analysis |
MATH 203 | (3) | Principles of Statistics 1 |
PSYC 204 | (3) | Introduction to Psychological Statistics |
Geography
12 credits from the following Geography (GEOG) courses:
GEOG 203 | (3) | Environmental Systems |
GEOG 210 | (3) | Global Places and Peoples |
GEOG 221 | (3) | Environment and Health |
GEOG 303 | (3) | Health Geography |
GEOG 307 | (3) | Socioeconomic Applications of GIS |
GEOG 311 | (3) | Economic Geography |
GEOG 331 | (3) | Urban Social Geography |
Categories
12 credits in ONE of three categories:
Urban History and Theory
Urban Design
Urban Policy and Governance
Urban History and Theory
Although Architecture courses have prerequisites, they are waived for Urban Systems students, but the course may not be taken before the year indicated:
ARCH 528 | (3) | History of Housing |
ARCH 529 | (3) | Housing Theory |
ARTH 314 | (3) | The Medieval City |
GEOG 503 | (3) | Advanced Topics in Health Geography |
GEOG 504 | (3) | Industrial Restructuring - Geographic Implications |
HIST 353 | (3) | History of Montreal |
JWST 371D1 | (3) | Jews and the Modern City |
JWST 371D2 | (3) | Jews and the Modern City |
SOCI 222 | (3) | Urban Sociology |
URBP 501 | (2) | Principles and Practice 1 |
Urban Design
Although Architecture courses have prerequisites, they are waived for Urban Systems students, but the course may not be taken before the year indicated:
U2 - ARCH 378;
U3 - ARCH 515, ARCH 520, ARCH 521, ARCH 527, and ARCH 550.
ARCH 550 requires permission of the Geography adviser.
Note: ARCH 550 has the same content as CIVE 433 but requires an additional project.
ARCH 378 | (3) | Site Usage |
ARCH 515 | (3) | Sustainable Design |
ARCH 520 | (3) | Montreal: Urban Morphology |
ARCH 521 | (3) | Structure of Cities |
ARCH 527 | (3) | Civic Design |
ARCH 550 | (3) | Urban Planning and Development |
CIVE 433 | (3) | Urban Planning |
CIVE 540 | (3) | Urban Transportation Planning |
GEOG 315 | (3) | Urban Transportation Geography |
URBP 201 | (3) | Planning the 21st Century City |
URBP 505 | (3) | Geographic Information Systems |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Geography (36 credits)
Students wishing to study at the Honours level in two disciplines can combine Joint Honours Program components in any two Arts disciplines. For a list of available Joint Honours programs, see "Overview of Programs Offered" and "Joint Honours Programs".Â
Joint Honours students should consult an adviser in each department to discuss their course selection and their interdisciplinary research project (if applicable).
In addition to the Faculty requirement that Joint Honours students maintain a minimum CGPA of at least 3.00, students in a Joint Honours Component Geography program must maintain a program GPA of at least 3.30.
Statistics
3 credits from:
Note: Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Arts.
BIOL 373 | (3) | Biometry |
GEOG 202 | (3) | Statistics and Spatial Analysis |
MATH 203 | (3) | Principles of Statistics 1 |
PSYC 204 | (3) | Introduction to Psychological Statistics |
SOCI 350 | (3) | Statistics in Social Research |
Research
3 - 6 credits of research courses. Where both departments require an Honours Thesis, the student has the option of submitting the thesis to either department. If the thesis is submitted to the other department, then the student must register for GEOG 492D1/GEOG 492D2. In some cases, it is required that the thesis be jointly supervised by faculty of both departments.
GEOG 491D1 | (3) | Honours Research |
GEOG 491D2 | (3) | Honours Research |
GEOG 492D1 | (1.5) | Joint Honours Research |
GEOG 492D2 | (1.5) | Joint Honours Research |
Geography (GEOG) Related Programs and Study Semesters
Geography (GEOG) Related Programs and Study Semesters
African Field Study Semester
African Field Study Semester
The Department of Geography (Prof. Thom Meredith), Faculty of Science, coordinates the 15-credit interdisciplinary African Field Study Semester. For further information please contact Martine Dolmière, Internship & Field Studies Officer, 514-398-1063; see Field Studies and Study Abroad > African Field Study Semester.
Geography Courses of Most Interest to Arts Students
Geography Courses of Most Interest to Arts Students
GEOG 199 | (3) | FYS: Geo-Environments |
GEOG 200 | (3) | Geographical Perspectives: World Environmental Problems |
GEOG 201 | (3) | Introductory Geo-Information Science |
GEOG 205 | (3) | Global Change: Past, Present and Future |
GEOG 210 | (3) | Global Places and Peoples |
GEOG 216 | (3) | Geography of the World Economy |
GEOG 217 | (3) | The Canadian City |
GEOG 221 | (3) | Environment and Health |
GEOG 290 | (1) | Local Geographical Excursion |
GEOG 300 | (3) | Human Ecology in Geography |
GEOG 301 | (3) | Geography of Nunavut |
GEOG 302 | (3) | Environmental Management 1 |
GEOG 303 | (3) | Health Geography |
GEOG 306 | (3) | Raster Geo-Information Science |
GEOG 307 | (3) | Socioeconomic Applications of GIS |
GEOG 308 | (3) | Principles of Remote Sensing |
GEOG 309 | (3) | Geography of Canada |
GEOG 311 | (3) | Economic Geography |
GEOG 315 | (3) | Urban Transportation Geography |
GEOG 316 | (3) | Political Geography |
GEOG 331 | (3) | Urban Social Geography |
GEOG 351 | (3) | Quantitative Methods |
GEOG 370 | (3) | Protected Areas |
GEOG 381 | (3) | Geographic Thought and Practice |
GEOG 398 | (3) | Field Studies in Human Geography |
GEOG 404 | (3) | Environmental Management 2 |
GEOG 408 | (3) | Geography of Development |
GEOG 410 | (3) | Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems |
GEOG 416 | (3) | Africa South of the Sahara |
GEOG 424 | (3) | Europe: Places and Peoples |
GEOG 490 | (3) | Geography: Independent Studies |
GEOG 494 | (3) | Urban Field Studies |
GEOG 496 | (3) | Geographical Excursion |
GEOG 498 | (3) | Humans in Tropical Environments |
GEOG 500 | (3) | Geography of Regional Identity |
GEOG 501 | (3) | Modelling Environmental Systems |
GEOG 502 | (3) | Geography of Northern Development |
GEOG 504 | (3) | Industrial Restructuring - Geographic Implications |
GEOG 506 | (3) | Advanced Geographic Information Science |
GEOG 508 | (3) | Resources, People, and Power |
GEOG 510 | (3) | Humid Tropical Environments |
GEOG 551 | (3) | Environmental Decisions |