Geography Programs (BA, BSc)

Chair
Michael Pisaric

Academic Advisors
Samantha Morris, Teresa Shanley

General Information

Administrative Co-ordinator/Academic Advisor
Teresa Shanley

905-688-5550, extension 3484
Mackenzie Chown C322
brocku.ca/geotour

The discipline of Geography has a broad scope and combines elements of both the social and natural sciences. Two principal divisions of the subject exist - human geography and physical geography - linked by a common background: a mutual concern for humans and the environment, and a body of related theory and methodology.

Geography majors at Brock may choose from the following degree programs: BA Geography and BSc Geography. Within each program students with a minimum 70 percent major average may be admitted to the Honours degree program at any time. An Honours degree program provides students with an opportunity for a more intensive examination of issues in the discipline. These programs are described in detail in subsequent sections.

The Department also participates in four-year Co-op programs leading to a BA or BSc Honours degree.

The Department and the Faculty of Education co-operate in offering a Concurrent BA (Honours) or BSc (Honours)/BEd degree at both the Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior levels.

Most courses emphasize structured labs and seminars in early years and progressively more independent work in later years, culminating in an optional honours thesis in year 4. Field work features prominently in some courses. Students should note that a nominal fee may be charged in courses having a field work or laboratory component.

Two field courses, GEOG 3P56  and GEOG 3P57 , are held in October in the week following Thanksgiving Day, with seminars/labs during the term. One of these courses is mandatory for students entering year 3; prospective students must register with the Department by April of the preceding academic year.

GEOG 4F99  is a required internship course in year 4, enabling students to obtain work experience while still at the University. Prospective students must register with the Department by April of the preceding academic year.

Physical laboratories and equipment are available for work in biogeography, climatology, geomorphology, hydrology and soil science. Computer labs with geomatics software are also available for students interested in geographic information systems, remote sensing and digital mapping. The University Map, Data and GIS Library contains an extensive collection of maps, atlases and geospatial datasets housed adjacent to the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies.

Program Notes

1. GEOG 2P07 , GEOG 2P13 , GEOG 2P21 , GEOG 2P33 , GEOG 2P94 , GEOG 3P04 , GEOG 3P05 , GEOG 3P07 , GEOG 3P21 , GEOG 3P22 , GEOG 3P34 , GEOG 3P50 , GEOG 3P83 , GEOG 3P95 , GEOG 4F99 , GEOG 4P07  and GEOG 4P83  can be taken for either BA or BSc credit.
2. In the case of GEOG 3V60-3V69 , GEOG 3V90-3V99 , GEOG 4F90 , GEOG 4P95  and GEOG 4P96  the content in a given year determines whether the course yields BA credit or BSc credit.
3. Students may hold credit for only one of GEOG 3P56  or GEOG 3P57 .
4. For students with a specific interest in geomorphology and soils the following ERSC courses are recommended as elective credits: ERSC 2P16  and ERSC 4P61 .
5. This credit must be other than GEOG and TOUR.
6. The Social Science credit must be from CHYS, COMM, CRIM, ECON, ENSU, FILM, FPAC, LABR, LING, PCUL, POLI, PSYC, SOCI, TOUR or WGST.
7. One Science credit is required and must be from BCHM, BIOL, CHEM, COSC, ERSC, MATH, PHYS and STAT (excluding ASTR 1P01 , ASTR 1P02 , BIOL 1F25, BIOL 1P23 , BIOL 1P24 , BIOL 1P27 , BIOL 1P28 , CHEM 1P00 , ERSC 1P92 , SCIE 1P50 , SCIE 1P51  and SCIE 1P52 ).
8. One Science credit is required, must be from BCHM, BIOL, CHEM, COSC, ERSC, MATH, PHYS and STAT and must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
9. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.

Course Offerings

Courses offered by the Department fall into two main groups, group A in human geography and group B in physical geography. A third group (C) emphasizes geomatics approaches to geographical problems and a fourth (D) emphasizes the environment.