Introduction

Geography is the study of the environments created on the earth’s surface by nature and people. The physical and biological elements of these environments, as well as their economic and social structure, historical development, spatial organization, interrelationships, management and planning form the subject matter of Geography. Geography, therefore, relates closely to other fields in natural science, social science and the humanities, and geographers take courses in these related fields along with their geography courses. Students specializing in other subjects often select one or more geography courses to deepen their understanding of the resource base, culture and economy of those parts of the world in which they are interested.

Employment opportunities for geographers exist in many branches of international organizations, government, industry, and education. Geographers work at all levels of government service, especially in agencies responsible for environmental management; land and resource analysis; development of historic districts and sites; urban transportation planning; regional economic planning; trade promotion; geographic systems design and data analysis; transport network design and the processing of archival, survey, and cartographic information. In business, geographers work in marketing, locational analysis, resource development, and in consulting firms engaged in project evaluation, land use planning and natural heritage conservation.

Students studying Geography may take either an H.B.A. or H.B.Sc., depending upon the subjects they wish to emphasize. The Department offers Specialist, Major and Minor Programs in Geography, cooperates in offering a combined program with Economics, shares with Ecology and Evolutionary Biology a program in Biogeography, and contributes courses to various departmental and college programs including American Studies; Anthropology; Archaeology; Canadian Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies; Equity Studies; Centre for Environment; Environmental Geosciences; Urban Studies; Ethics, Society and Law and International Relations; and European Studies. Counselling and advice may be obtained from the Undergraduate Coordinator or the Undergraduate Counsellor.

Undergraduate Coordinator:Professor J. Hackworth, Sidney Smith Hall, room 5010 (416-946-8764)

Student Counsellor:S. Calanza, Sidney Smith Hall, room 5044 (416-978-6455)

General Enquiries:416-978-3375

Geography Programs

The entry requirement to all Specialist programs is a CPGA of 2.5. The entry requirement for all Major programs is a CGPA of 2.0 or 67% in 1.0 GGR FCE at the 100 and/or 200 level. Double majors in Geography may only overlap 1.0 FCE. Students combining any of our Minor programs with a Specialist/Major program would normally be allowed to overlap only 1.5 FCEs towards both programs. Students that choose to specialize or major in one of the three Geography programs cannot minor in the same program but may do so in another Geography program. Double minors can overlap 1.0 FCE.

Generally, students may only take 1.0 Independent Research Project FCE toward their program requirements.

Asian Geographies (offered jointly with the National University of Singapore) (Social Science program)

This Type 3 minor program represents a unique opportunity to study geography in a different cultural environment. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Office and the International Student Exchange Office (ISXO, www.utoronto.ca/student.exchange).

A: Any half course: GGR100H1/GGR101H1/ GGR107H1/GGR124H1 (0.5 FCEs)

B: Any 3 half courses (U of T): Other higher level GGR/JAG/JGE/JGI/JFG/JUG courses (1.5 FCEs)

C: Any 4 half courses (NUS): NUS250H0, NUS251H0, NUS252H0, NUS253H0, NUS254H0, NUS255H0, NUS256H0, NUS350H0, NUS351Y0, NUS352H0, NUS353H0, NUS354H0 (2.0 FCEs)

Note: At least 1.0 FCEs must be at the 300/400 level (from U of T or NUS)

Total: 4.0 FCEs

Biogeography (Science program)

(12.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

Specialist Entry Requirements: Students must have a CGPA of 2.5

A: All 3: BIO120H1; GGR100H1, GGR101H1 (1.5 FCEs)

B: Any 1 full course: (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/ CHM151Y1/ (CSC108H1, CSC148H1) (1.0 FCEs)

C: Any 1 full course: JMB170Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/PHY131H1, PHY132H1/PHY151H1, PHY152H1 (1.0 FCEs)

D: Any 2 half courses GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1 (1.0 FCEs)

E; Any 1 full course: BIO251Y1/ZOO252Y1 (1.0 FCEs)

F: Mandatory: GGR270H1 (0.5 FCEs)

G: Any 1 full course: ENV234Y1/two of EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB323H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1 (1.0 FCEs)

H: Any 1 full course: EEB265Y1, 309H1, EEB330H1, EEB337H1, EEB340H1, 361H1, EEB384H1, EEB389H1 (1.0 FCEs)

I: Any 1 full course: GGR303H1, GGR305H1, 310H1 (1.0 FCEs)

J: Any 2 courses: BIO/BOT/EEB/ZOO at the 300+ level (2.0 FCEs)

K: Any 3 courses: GGR at the 300+ level (1.5 FCEs)

Note: Of the 3.5 courses from BIO/BOT/EEB/ZOO and GGR, 1.0 must be at the 400-level

Total 12.5 FCEs

Environment and Energy – See Centre for Environment

Environmental Geography (Arts program)

Specialist Entry Requirements: Students must have a CGPA of 2.5

A: Any 2: GGR107H1 (recommended), GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR124H1 (or other GGR course with permission of the Department) (1.0 FCEs)

B: Any 2: GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR307H1, ENV200H1, ENV234Y1, JGE347H1, JGE348H1 (1.0 FCEs)

C: All: GGR222H1, GGR270H1, GGR271H1, GGR272H1, GGR331H1 (2.5 FCEs)

D: Any 1: GGR240H1, GGR246H1, GGR249H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1 (0.5 FCEs)

E. Either: GGR491Y1 or one of GGR416H1, GGR492H1, GGR499H1 and one additional 0.5 FCE 400 level course from Group A or Group B (below) (1.0 FCEs)

F: Any 7 half courses or equivalent: Up to 4.0 FCE from group A; up to 1.5 FCE from group B; up to 1.0 FCE from group C. (below) (4.0 FCEs)

Note:
At least 4.0 FCEs must be 300/400 series courses. Of these, at least 1.0 FCE must be 400 series.

Total 10.0

Major Entry Requirements: Enrolment in the major is limited to students with a CGPA of 2.0 or 67% in 1.0 GGR FCE at the 100/200 level

A: Any 2: GGR107H1 (recommended), GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR124H1 (or other GGR course with permission of the Department) (1.0 FCEs)

B: Any 2: GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR307H1, ENV200H1, ENV234Y1, JGE347H1, JGE348H1 (1.0 FCEs)

C: Al:l GGR222H1, GGR270H1, GGR271H1 (1.5 FCEs)

D: Any 1: GGR240H1, GGR246H1, GGR249H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1 (0.5 FCEs)

E. Any 1: 0.5 FCE at the 400 level from Group A OR Group B (below) (excluding ENV422H1) (0.5 FCEs)

F: Any 4 half courses or equivalent Up to 2.5 FCE from Group A; up to 1.0 FCE from Group B; up to 0.5 FCE from group C (below). 2.5 FCEs)

Note:
At least 2.0 FCEs must be 300/400 series courses. Of these, at least 0.5 FCE must be 400 series.

Total 7.0 FCEs

Minor Entry Requirements: There are no entry requirements for this program

A: Any 1: GGR107H1 (recommended), GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR124H1 (or other GGR course with permission of the Department) (0.5 FCEs)

B: Mandatory: GGR222H1 (0.5 FCEs)

C. Any 1: GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR307H1, ENV200H1, ENV234Y1, JGE347H1, JGE348H1 (0.5 FCEs)

D. Up to 2.5 FCE courses from group A; up to 1.0 FCE from Group B; no more than 2.0 FCE from Groups A and B combined (below). (2.5 FCEs)

Note:
At least 1.0 FCE must be 300/400 series courses.

Total 4.0 FCEs

Group A (Geography Courses)

GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR272H1, GGR273H1, 222Y1, GGR301H1, GGR303H1, GGR307H1, GGR314H1,, GGR332H1, GGR334H1, GGR335H1, GGR337H1, GGR338H1, GGR340H1, GGR341H1, GGR371H1, GGR373H1, GGR381H1, 398H1, 399Y1, GGR403H1, GGR409H1, GGR413H1, GGR416H1, GGR418H1, GGR419H1 GGR438H1, GGR491Y1, GGR492H1, GGR498H1, GGR499H1; JUG320H1; JAG321H1; JFG470H1, JFG475H1; JGE321H1, JGE331H1, JGE347H1, JGE348H1

Group B (Centre for Environment courses)

ENV200H1, ENV234Y1, ENV307H1, ENV323H1, ENV333H1, ENV335H1, ENV350H1, ENV422H1;

Group C

Any other geography courses at the 200/300/400 level not listed in group A

Geographic Information Systems (Arts program)

Note: Students combining this program with a Specialist/Major sponsored by the Department of Geography will normally be allowed to count only 1.5 (of the 4.0) FCEs towards both programs.

Minor Entry Requirements: There are no entry requirements for this program

A: Any 2 half courses: GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR124H1 (or 1.0 other GGR courses with the permission of the Department) (1.0 FCEs)

B: All 4: GGR270H1, GGR272H1, GGR273H1, GGR373H1 (2.0 FCEs)

C: Any 1 half course: GGR462H1, GGR473H1 (0.5 FCEs)

D: Any 1 half course: GGR337H1, GGR371H1, GGR375H1, GGR413H1, GGR462H1, GGR473H1, GGR491Y1, GGR492H1, GGR498H1, GGR499H1, JFG470H1, JFG475H1 (0.5 FCEs)

Total 4.0 FCEs

Human Geography (Arts program)

Students who choose to specialize or major in the Human Geography POSt cannot minor in the same POSt, but can minor in different Geography POSts

Specialist Entry Requirements: Students must have a CGPA of 2.5

A: Any 2: GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR124H1 (or 1.0 other GGR courses with permission of Department) (1.0 FCEs)

B: Any 1 not used to satisfy A: GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1 (0.5 FCEs)

C: All 3: GGR270H1, GGR271H1, GGR272H1 (1.5 FCEs)

D: Any 1: GRR240H1, 246H1, 249H1, 254H1, 341H1, 342H1, 343H1, 344H1 (0.5 FCEs)

E: Any 1 Any 400 series course from Group E (below) (0.5 FCEs)

F: Any 12 half courses or equivalent not used to satisfy E or D: Please see list of Group E courses (below). Up to 1.5 courses may be from Group F (6.0 FCEs)

Note:
At least 4.0 FCEs must be 300/400 series courses. Of these, at least 1.0 FCE must be 400 series.

Total 10.0 FCEs

Major Entry Requirements: Students must have a CGPA of 2.0 or 67% in 1.0 GGR FCE at the 100/200 level

A: Any 2: GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR124H1 (or 1.0 other GGR courses with permission of Department) (1.0 FCEs)

B: Any 1 not used to satisfy A: GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1 (0.5 FCEs)

C: All: GGR270H1, GGR271H1 (1.0 FCEs)

D: Any 1 GGR240H1, GGR246H1, 249H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1 (0.5 FCEs)

E: Any 1: any 400 series course from Group E (below) (0.5 FCEs)

F: Any 7 half courses or equivalent not used to satisfy E or D: Please see list of Group E courses (below)

Up to 1.0 courses may be from Group F (3.5 FCEs)

Note:
At least 2.0 FCEs must be 300/400 series courses. Of these, at least 0.5 must be 400 series.

Total 7.0 FCEs

Minor Entry Requirements: There are no entry requirements for this program

A: Any 2: GGR100H1, GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR124H1 (or 1.0 other GGR courses with permission of the Department) (1.0 FCEs)

Three other higher level GGR/JAG/JFG/JGE/JGI/JUG social science or humanities courses, including at least 1.0 FCEs of 300/400-series courses

Up to 0.5 may be from Group F (3.0 FCEs)

TOTAL 4.0 FCEs

Group E Optional courses for Human Geography:

GGR216H1, GGR220H1, GGR221H1, GGR222H1, GGR240H1, GGR241H1, GGR246H1, 249H1, GGR252H1, GGR254H1, GGR272H1, GGR273H1, GGR299Y1, GGR300H1, GGR314H1, GGR320H1, GGR323H1, GGR327H1, GGR328H1, GGR332H1, GGR334H1, GGR335H1, GGR336H1, GGR338H1, GGR339H1, GGR341H1 GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR352H1, GGR356H1, GGR358H1, GGR360H1, GGR361H1, GGR363H1, GGR366H1, GGR373H1, GGR374H1, GGR375H1, GGR382H1, GGR391H1, 398/399H1, GGR400H1, GGR416H1, GGR418H1, GGR419H1 GGR421H1, GGR424H1, GGR431H1, GGR439H1, GGR416H1, GGR452H1, GGR457H1, GGR458H1, GGR462H1, GGR473H1, 491H1, GGR492H1, GGR498H1/GGR499H1; JGE321H1, JGE331H1; JGI216H1; JUG320H1; JAG321H1; JGI216H1, JGI346H1, JGI454H1; JFG470H1, JFG475H1

Group F (Science courses for Human Geographers)

GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR301H1, GGR303H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, GGR403H1, GGR409H1, GGR413H1.

Streams

Students may wish to choose courses from among one or more of the following streams if they want to concentrate in a particular area within Human Geography, while fulfilling the overall requirements given above. These are not POSt requirements, but rather suggestions for students seeking guidance on how to navigate our course offerings.
Cultural and Historical Geography: GGR216H1, GGR240H1, GGR241H1, GGR246H1, 249H1, GGR254H1, 331H1, GGR336H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR360H1, GGR366H1, GGR421H1, GGR431H1, GGR439H1; JGI346H1, JUG320H1, JAG321H1

Urban Geography: GGR124H1, GGR216H1, GGR240H1, GGR241H1, GGR246H1, 249H1, GGR252H1, GGR254H1, GGR323H1, GGR332H1, GGR336H1, GGR339H1, GGR342H1, GGR358H1, GGR360H1, GGR361H1, GGR366H1, GGR374H1, GGR424H1, GGR457H1, GGR458H1; JGI216H1, JGI346H1, JGI454H1

Social and Economic Geography: GGR124H1, GGR216H1, JGI216H1, GGR220H1, GGR221H1, GGR240H1, GGR241H1, GGR246H1, 249H1, GGR252H1, GGR254H1, 256H1, GGR320H1, GGR320H1, GGR352H1, GGR424H1, GGR323H1, GGR327H1, GGR328H1, 331H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1, GGR358H1, GGR360H1, GGR361H1, GGR363H1, GGR366H1, GGR374H1, GGR421H1, GGR431H1, GGR438H1, GGR452H1

Political Geography: GGR124H1, GGR216H1, JGI216H1, GGR221H1, GGR241H1, GGR320H1, JUG320H1, GGR327H1, GGR328H1, 331H1, GGR339H1, 346H1, GGR352H1, GGR358H1, GGR363H1, GGR418H1, GGR421H1, GGR439H1, GGR452H1

Geography of Canada: GGR240H1, GGR246H1, GGR336H1, GGR366H1, GGR457H1; JUG320H1, JAG331H1

Environment: GGR222H1, GGR240H1, 256H1, GGR314H1, GGR323H1, GGR332H1, GGR333H1, GGR334H1, GGR335H1, GGR336H1, GGR337H1, GGR338H1, GGR340H1, GGR341H1, GGR360H1, GGR416H1, GGR418H1, GGR419H1, GGR421H1, GGR438H1, GGR462H1, GGR473H1; JFG470H1, JFG475H1; JUG320H1; JAG321H1, JGE331H1, JGE321H1

Planning: GGR332H1, GGR334H1, GGR336H1, GGR339H1, GGR358H1, GGR361H1, GGR363H1, GGR424H1, 451H1, GGR452H1, JGI216H1, JGI346H1, JGI454H1

Physical and Environmental Geography (Science program)

Specialist Entry Requirements: Students must have a CGPA of 2.5

A: Any 6 half courses or the equivalent GGR100H1; MAT123H1/MAT125H1, MAT124H1/MAT126H1, MAT133Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1, MAT223H1/MAT240H1, MAT224H1/MAT247H1; PHY131H1/PHY151H1, PHY132H1/PHY152H1; CME119H1 (Faculty of Engineering); CHM138H1, CHM139H1, CHM151Y1; BIO120H1, BIO130H1, at least two of which must be Math or Phys half courses. (3.0 FCEs)

B: Any 4 GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, up to one half course from Group H (below) (2.0 FCEs)

C: Any 1 GGR101H1, GGR240H1, GGR246H1, 249H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1 (0.5 FCEs)

D: All 4 GGR270H1, GGR272H1, GGR337H1, GGR390H1 (2.0 FCEs)

E: Any 7 GGR273H1, GGR301H1, GGR303H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, GGR314H1, GGR373H1, JGE347H1, JGE348H1, ENV236Y1, (but no more than one of GGR273H1, GGR373H1); any GGR course from the list for requirement B not already used; up to three half courses from Group I (below) (3.5 FCEs)

F: Any 2 GGR403H1, GGR409H1, GGR413H1, GGR490H1, GGR491Y1, GGR498H1, fourth-year courses in Group I, but the total number of half courses from Group I (including 3rd–year courses) must not exceed 3 (1.0 FCEs)

Total 12.0 FCEs

Major Entry Requirements: Students must have a CGPA of 2.0 or 67% in 1.0 GGR FCE at the 100/200 level

A: Any 4 half courses or the equivalent GGR100H1; MAT123H1/MAT125H1, MAT124H1/MAT126H1, MAT133Y1/MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1, MAT223H1/MAT240H1, MAT224H1/MAT247H1; PHY131H1/PHY151H1, PHY132H1/PHY152H1; CME119H1 (Faculty of Engineering); CHM138H1, CHM139H1, CHM151Y1; BIO120H1, BIO130H1 at least one of which must be a Math or Physics half course (2.0 FCEs)

B: Any 3 GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, and206H1 (1.5 FCEs)

C: Any 1 GGR101H1, GGR240H1, GGR246H1, 249H1,GGR254H1, GGR341H1 (0.5 FCEs)

D: All 3 GGR270H1, GGR272H1, GGR390H1 (1.5 FCEs)

E: Any 4 GGR273H1, GGR301H1, GGR303H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, GGR314H1, GGR337H1, GGR373H1, 393H1, JGE347H1, JGE348H1; ENV236Y1 (but no more than one from GGR273H1, GGR373H1, 393H1); the course from the list for requirement B not already used; any one half course from Group I (below) (2.0 FCEs)

F: from GGR402H1, GGR403H1, GGR409H1, GGR413H1, GGR490H1, 491H1, GGR498H1 (0.5 FCEs)

Total 8.0 FCEs

Minor Entry Requirements: There are no entry requirements for this program

A: Any 2 GGR100H1, GGH101H1, GG107H1, GGR124H1 (1.0 FCEs)

B: Any 2 GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGGGR206H1 (1.0 FCEs)

C: 3 GGR390H1; (GGR301H1/GGR303H1/GGR305H1); (GGR272H1/GGR307H1/GGR308H1) (1.5 FCEs)

D: Any 1 A half course from ENV236Y1; GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR301H1, GGR303H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, 310H1, GGR314H1, GGR333H1 402H1, GGR403H1, 408H1, GGR409H1, GGR413H1, GGR490H1, JGE347H1, JGE348H1 (0.5 FCEs)

Total 4.0 FCEs

Five possible streams within the Physical Geography Major or Specialist, which can be combined with other courses to fulfill the overall requirements given above, are:

Climate System and Climatic Change: GGR203H1, GGR303H1, GGR314H1, GGR403H1, ENV346H1

Land Surface Processes: GGR100H1, GGR201H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR301H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR409H1, GGR413H1

Biogeography and Paleoclimates: GGR101H1, GGR201H1, 302H1, GGR305H1

Biogeochemistry and Contaminants: GGR100H1, GGR205H1, GGR303H1, GGR307H1, GGR403H1, GGR409H1

Environmental Physical Geography: GGR101H1, GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR301H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, GGR314H1, GGR409H1, GGR413H1

Students contemplating graduate studies are strongly urged to combine their Physical Geography Major or Specialist with a Minor in Mathematics (involving calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations) and a Minor in a field of science related to their particular interests in physical geography (biology, chemistry, geology, or physics).
Below are courses from outside the Geography Department that can be applied to the requirements for the Physical and Environmental Geography Major (one course only) or the Specialist (up to 3 courses only); these courses are an option only for students that have the required pre-requisites.

Group H: Faculty of Arts & Science courses: CHM217H1, CHM310H1; GLG206H1, GLG216H1, GLG217H1; PHY251H1, 255H1. Faculty of Engineering courses: CHE210H1; EDV250H1

Group I: EEB301H1, 302H1, 303H1, 304H1, 305H1, 307H1, 310H1, 311H1, EEB319H1, EEB321H1, EEB324H1, EEB328H1, EEB330H1, EEB428H1; ENV346H1; FOR301H1, FOR305H1, FOR306H1, 404H1, FOR417H1; GLG351H1, GLG436H1; PHY392H1, PHY408H1