Join us at Laurier
Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.
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Explore Our Programs
waterloo
Geographers examine interactions between humans and their environment. Over the past few hundred years, humans have modified urban and natural systems at a staggering rate. As the human population continues to increase and the demand for space becomes more competitive, graduates of Geography will have a sound basis for understanding these pressing issues.
Physical geography includes the sub-disciplines of geomorphology, climatology, biogeography and hydrology, and focuses on understanding how processes in the natural environment function.
Our Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geography offers you the opportunity to study with professors who are leading researchers in their fields, and acquire a broad range of skills and expertise in physical geography and geospatial analysis.
The BSc in Geography program prepares you to seek professional registration as an environmental geoscientist (PGeo). Professional registration allows you to practice geoscience in the province of Ontario. The work involves analysis of different Earth systems and geoscientific situations in natural settings, so geoscientists need to gather on-site data and make direct field observations. Worksite locations can be remote and physically challenging. As a BSc in Geography graduate you will be able to confidently apply to seek professional registration.
We offer a total of four BSc Geography programs:
- Our BSc in Geography and Geomatics, focuses on the use of technology to gather, analyze interpret and distribute geographic information.
- We offer a combined BSc in Environmental Science where you'll explore ways to address problems caused by human activities. The study of organisms, geochemical and physical environmental interactions are essential to this understanding.
- The BSC in Applied Water Science, applies underlying scientific principles pertaining to the physical, chemical and biological properties of water as well as water conservation and management
Info for Current Students
Department of Geography and Environmental StudiesProgram Highlights
- View the Geography experience guide and learn about the opportunities at Laurier that will help prepare you, both inside and outside the classroom, for your future career.
- First-year Geography courses combine classroom learning with hands-on lab meetings.
- In upper years you will participate in field and lab courses where you can design and carry out original research projects.
- In fourth-year courses you have the option of doing an undergraduate thesis project to refine your research skills or participate in field courses in places such as Costa Rica.
- As a Geography student, you will learn quantitative and qualitative research skills that you can apply to a range of careers and graduate research directions.
- You will learn to use computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a skill that is highly desired by private and public sector employers.
Sample Courses
- Coastal Processes and Landforms
- Geographic Information and Analysis
- Fluvial Geomorphology
- Spatial Analysis
- Catchment and Global Biogeochemistry
Requirements
- Admission range of mid 70s.
- English at 60%.
BSc/BSc Geomatics
- Advanced Functions at 60%.
- Two of: Biology, Chemistry or Physics at 60%.
BSc Environmental Science
- Chemistry and Advanced Functions at 60%.
- Biology at 70%.
BSc Applied Water Science
- Advanced Functions, Biology and Chemistry at 70%.
All prerequisite courses calculated in admission average. More admission requirements, including requirements for transfer students, are available in our admissions toolkit.
International Baccalaureate Requirements
- HL or SL English at 3.
- HL or SL Mathematics at 3.
- Two of HL or SL Biology, Chemistry or Physics each at 3.
- IB Minimum Score: 26.
Design Your Degree
These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:
- Geomatics Option
- Sustainability Option
- Community Engagement Option
Check out some other options to enhance your degree.
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