Geography literally means description of the Earth — its physical and human components and how they vary spatially. Geography studies the inter-relationships of climate, landforms, plants, animals and humans over the surface of the Earth.

Geographers are more than map-makers (though they are that, too). They are planners, researchers, environmentalists, educators and decision makers whose interests focus on some of society’s most pressing questions.

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• Admission requirements
• Your first year
• Sample courses and degree map
• Career opportunities

Geography at Memorial

We offer major, minor and honours programs leading to either a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (B.Sc.) in geography. In addition, joint programs are offered in:

• Computer Science and Geography (B.Sc. major and honours)
• Earth Sciences and Geography (B.Sc. honours)

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Admission requirements to degree

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (bachelor of arts) or the Faculty of Science (bachelor of science) by indicating the appropriate degree as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, including appropriate courses in mathematics and a laboratory science for bachelor of science. Applicants who are missing one of these subjects should apply for bachelor of arts.

Admission to the major

If you are interested in declaring a major in geography you should meet with the undergraduate program co-ordinator. Once registered in the major in geography, students will be assigned a faculty advisor. The role of the faculty advisor is to help students in planning their academic program and to guide them through difficulties they may have during their studies.

It is a good idea to declare your major as early as possible in your studies. That will help you in planning the route through your degree.

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Your first year

You can complete the geography major as part of a BA or B.Sc. program. Choose the appropriate degree below and have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take in your first year of the geography program.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

Bachelor of arts students (BA or iBA)

1. Both LS courses must be in the same language. If your first language is not English and you do not meet the standards for entry into regular first-year English courses you may use English 1020 and 1021 to fulfill this requirement. Such students are permitted to complete up to an additional six credit hours in English CRW courses at the 1000 level in order to fulfill the CRW requirement.

Bachelor of science students

1. You may complete Mathematics 1000 in the fall semester and an elective in the winter semester; or Mathematics 1050 and 1051. The completion of Mathematics 1000 as one of the mathematics courses will allow for greater choice in the selection of geography courses, particularly third and fourth year physical geography, GIS, cartography, and remote sensing courses.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Department of Geography or contact the undergraduate program director.

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Sample courses and degree map

GEOG 1050 - Geographies of Global Change
GEOG 2425 - Natural Resources
GEOG 3420 - Globalization of Food

Geography degree map (for BA students)

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.

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Career opportunities

There are many career options for geography graduates. Environmental analysis and assessment opportunities abound; locational analysis for commercial activity remains an important option; urban and regional planning continues to lure practitioners; and mapping and spatial data analyses have expanded with the wide-spread adoption of computer technologies. Teaching situations, at all levels, have been abundant as well. Geographers have long supplied their expertise to these areas, while recently adding new tools for executing these endeavours. Other options include:

• travel and tourism
• community research
• arctic investigations
• international development and policy

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.

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