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Geography

Geography

Location

Location

  • Burnside Hall, Room 305
  • 805 Sherbrooke Street West
  • Montreal QC H3A 0B9
  • Telephone: 514-398-4951
  • Email: undergrad.geog [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: mcgill.ca/geography

About Geography

About Geography

The Geography Department offers programs in both Arts and Science.

Refer to Faculty of Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Geography (GEOG) for B.Sc. programs in Geography.

Refer to Bachelor of Arts & Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Geography (GEOG) for B.A. & Sc. programs in Geography.

Geography also administers the B.A. & Sc. interfacutly programs in Sustainability, Science and Society in partnership with the Bieler School of Environment. These programs are described in Bachelor of Arts & Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Sustainability, Science, and Society.

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 is concerned especially with the political, economic, social, and cultural processes and resource practices that create spatial patterns and define particular places.

Physical Geography 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. Geography programs. Students who have 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 their program.

Geography Faculty

Geography Faculty

See Faculty of Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Geography (GEOG) > Geography Faculty.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 30, 2023) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geography (18 credits)

The B.A.; Minor Concentration in Geography focuses on the interactions among people, places, and the environment, and is an excellent complement to many majors. It includes coursework in methodological techniques, human, and/or physical Geography. This Minor Concentration may be expanded into the Major Concentration Geography, but not into the Major Concentration...

For more information, see Minor Concentration Geography (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Geography (Urban Studies) (18 credits)

This interdisciplinary program introduces students in the Faculty of Arts to a range of urban dynamics and the challenges facing contemporary cities around the world. 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 more information, see Minor Concentration Geography (Urban Studies) (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration GIS & Remote Sensing (18 credits)

The Minor Concentration in GIS & Remote Sensing program provides B.A. students with the fundamentals of geospatial tools and technologies.

For more information, see Minor Concentration GIS & Remote Sensing (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration Health Geography (18 credits)

There is increasing consensus around the idea that health is not just an expression of individual characteristics but an interaction between the characteristics of the individual and the environments, both physical and social, to which one is exposed over a lifetime of daily living and working. Health outcomes vary dramatically by physical and social...

For more information, see Minor Concentration Health Geography (18 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Geography (37 credits)

The B.A.; Major Concentration in Geography focuses on the interactions among people, places, and the environment. It includes coursework in human and physical Geography, methodological techniques, and field.

For more information, see Major Concentration Geography (37 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration Geography (Urban Studies) (36 credits)

This major concentration exposes students to various approaches to the study of the urban world. Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary program that introduces students in the Faculty of Arts to a range of urban dynamics and the challenges facing contemporary cities around the world, and a variety of methodological approaches. Students should observe the levels...

For more information, see Major Concentration Geography (Urban Studies) (36 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Geography (61 credits)

The B.A.; Honours Geography program focuses on the interactions among people, places, and the environment. Along with additional course work, the program is distinguished by the Honours project, which entails independent, original research conducted over two semesters, normally in the final year of study, under the supervision of a department faculty member. ...

For more information, see Honours Geography (61 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Honours Urban Studies (60 credits)

This program exposes students to various approaches to the study of the urban world. Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary program that introduces students in the Faculty of Arts to a range of urban dynamics and the challenges facing contemporary cities around the world, and a variety of methodological approaches. Students should observe the levels indicated by...

For more information, see Honours Urban Studies (60 credits).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Joint Honours Component Geography (37 credits)

Students wishing to study at the Honours level in two disciplines can combine Joint Honours program components of Geography and another Arts discipline. As with the regular Honours program, the Geography component of Joint Honours focuses on the interactions among people, places, and the environment, and requires an Honours project, which entails independent,...

For more information, see Joint Honours Component Geography (37 credits).

Geography (GEOG) Related Programs and Study Semesters

Geography (GEOG) Related Programs and Study Semesters

The following programs, as well as several other opportunities for field study, are offered by the Faculty of Science. For further information, refer to mcgill.ca/mcgillabroad/students-going-abroad/plan-and-prepare/field-study-semester or the Science Internship & Field Studies Office.

Africa Field Study Semester

Africa Field Study Semester

The Africa program introduces students to East Africa specifically with a view to increasing their understanding of the goals, circumstances, challenges, and opportunities of people living in the areas visited. For more information, see mcgill.ca/africa.

Barbados Field Study Semester

Barbados Field Study Semester

The Barbados program is offered on º£½ÇÉçÇø's Caribbean campus at the Bellairs Research Institute. Students participating in the BFSS learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, with a focus on the sustainable development of Barbados and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). For more information, see mcgill.ca/bfss.

Panama Field Study Semester

Panama Field Study Semester

The Panama program is a joint venture between º£½ÇÉçÇø and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and addresses Latin America's social and tropical environmental issues. For more information, see mcgill.ca/pfss.

Arctic Field Study Semester

Arctic Field Study Semester

The primary mission of the º£½ÇÉçÇø Arctic Field Studies is to train a future generation of northern specialists and leaders who are able to understand and address the rapidly changing polar environment in a scientifically and culturally responsible manner. For more information, see mcgill.ca/arctic.

Earth System Science Interdepartmental Major

Earth System Science Interdepartmental Major

This program is offered by the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Earth and Planetary Sciences; and Geography.

Students in the Department of Geography interested in this program should contact:

  • William (Bill) Minarik
  • Telephone: 514-398-2596
  • Email: william.minarik [at] mcgill.ca

For more information, see Earth System Science (ESYS).

Sustainability, Science and Society – Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A. & Sc.)

Sustainability, Science and Society – Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A. & Sc.)

The Interfaculty Program in Sustainability, Science and Society as well as the Honours in Sustainability, Science and Society is open only to students in the B.A. & Sc. degree.

Students in the Department of Geography interested in this program should contact:

  • Michelle Maillet
  • Email: advisor.geog [at] mcgill.ca

For more information about these programs, see Bachelor of Arts & Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Sustainability, Science, and Society.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 8, 2023) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Arts—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 30, 2023) (disclaimer)
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