Prospective Students

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.

There are many programs of study available to you in geography, which include both BA and BSc degree options.  These options reflect the highly diversified nature of geography and the varied career choices you have with a degree in the discipline. The undergraduate handbook details the courses available, highlights the teaching and research interests of our professors as well as the opportunities you have to become involved in research projects.

For additional information regarding undergraduate geography study contact the Undergraduate Counsellor Kathy Giesbrecht giesbrecht@geog.utoronto.ca. and see also the Faculty of Arts and Science Calendar: Geography 

 

QUICK VIEW: Geography Programs Offered in 2011-12

                                          PROGRAM                                            

TYPE             

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY
(Arts Program)
 Specialist
Major
Minor


HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

(Arts Program)

7 Optional Streams: (1) Cultural & Historical Geography, (2) Urban Geography, (3) Social & Economic Geography
 (4) Political Geography,  (5) Geography of Canada, (6) Environment, (7) Planning
 Specialist
Major
Minor


PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY

(Science Program)

5 Optional Streams: (1) Climate System & Climatic Change, (2) Land Surface Processes; (3) Biogeography & Paleoclimates 
(4) Biogeochemistry & Contaminants, (5) Environmental Physical Geography
 Specialist
Major
Minor


GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

(Arts Program)
 Minor


ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY

(Science Program- Joint Program with the Center for Environment)

 Minor


 

ASIAN GEOGRAPHIES

(Social Science Program- Offered jointly with the National University of Singapore)
 Minor


 

For 2011-12

  • The entry requirement to all Specialist programs is a Cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.5. 

  • The entry requirement for all Major programs is a CGPA of 2.0 or 67% in 1.0 GGR full course equivalent (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 1 of the 3 Geography programs cannot minor in the same program, but may do so in another Geography program.

  • Double minors can overlap 1.0 FCE


For 2012-13

Admission will be determined by a student's mark in 1.0 GGR FCEs at the 100 and/or 200 level. It is expected that a mark of 70% in each course will be required for admission in the coming cycle for a Specialist program, and 67% in each course for a Major.  Achieving that mark does not necessarily guarantee admission to the program in any given year. 

Important information on Programs of Study (POSt) in the Department of Geography:

What if you do not have enough GGR credits yet to enroll in a Geography POSt (program of study)? 

    • If you are interested in enrolling in a Geography major or specialist program (Type 2), but have not yet completed the 1.0 FCE's in GGR (100/200 level) needed to qualify for the POSt, please contact the department now for advice about getting into the POSt and your course selection for next year.
    Contact:  Kathy Giesbrecht, Undergraduate Counsellor, giesbrecht@geog.utoronto.ca

    • What happened to GGR222?
    GGR222 has been changed to "GGR223: Environment, Society and Resources"
    Where you see GGR222 in a list of courses for a GGR POSt, you can replace it with GGR223. If you have already taken GGR222 (or ENV222, prior to 2012-13), this will be an exclusion/equivalent for GGR223. The updated course description can be found in the 2012-13 calendar at http://www.artsandscience.utoronto.ca/ofr/calendar/crs_ggr.htm