Geography
The subject material of Geography is astonishingly diverse. Physical geographers study the natural world, with attention to features such as landforms, geology, climate, hydrology, and plant and animal life. Human geographers study the cultural world, examining the demographic, economic, political, and social elements of landscapes and human relations. Also of interest to geographers are topics such as natural hazards, resource management, and environmental problems, situated at the interface of the natural and cultural realms.
What ties these wide-ranging interests together in the discipline of Geography is a shared approach that emphasizes the importance of spatial concepts such as location, distance, direction, interaction, and place. It is a challenging but rewarding field. The study of Geography cultivates the development of a broad, but integrated, base of knowledge about the world around you, provides opportunities for more focused study through topical specialization, and develops your ability to collect, manage, interpret, analyze, and produce cartographic, statistical, visual, oral, and textual information.
For students interested in Physical Geography, please see the Associate of Science Degree in General Science within the Faculty of Science.
Who Studies Geography?
Geography students have a hunger to learn about the environment around them and make it a better place. Stimulated by a variety of subjects, they are reluctant to sacrifice breadth of inquiry in the name of specialization, and find a home in a thoroughly interdisciplinary discipline spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Geography students capably collect, interpret, and present qualitative, quantitative, and cartographic information, becoming members of a discipline that synthesizes and applies this knowledge to help develop solutions to real-world problems, from climate change to homelessness.
Department's website: kpu.ca/arts/geography
Students graduating with a degree in Geography at KPU will possess a foundation of relevant subject knowledge, a diverse array of information-handling skills, and a flexible approach to career paths. They will be well-positioned for introductory employment in fields such as:
- Resource Management
- Environmental Consulting
- Urban Planning and Governance
- First Nations Governance
- Education
- Tourism
- Property Management
- Real Estate Development and Sales
- Marketing
Students may also pursue further graduate, technical, or professional education in Geography or related fields, resulting in enhanced opportunities for more advanced employment in the areas noted.
Registration in some course sections is restricted to students in particular programs. See Timetables - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current section information.
Visit the BC Transfer Guide - bctransferguide.ca - for information about course transfer in B.C.
GEOG 1101 3 credits
Human Geography
Students will examine the nature and diversity of human geography, and learn to understand and describe the spatial characteristics of human population change, distribution and settlement, social-cultural interactions, and economic activities. Students will also learn how the natural environment facilitates or constrains these activities, and how human activities in turn affect the natural environment. They will learn and apply basic cartographic, qualitative and quantitative techniques commonly used in human geography.
Level: UG
GEOG 1102 4 credits
Physical Geography
Students will apply basic scientific principles to study three main components of the geophysical system: the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. They will examine weather and climate processes including the hydrologic cycle, local and regional weather, and climate change. Students will examine internal and external processes shaping the earth including, but not limited to tectonic, volcanic, glacial, coastal, fluvial and hillslope processes. Students will learn and apply a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques commonly used in physical geography including map use and interpretation.
Level: UG
Credit Exclusion: GEOG 1110,GEOG 1120
GEOG 1160 3 credits
Geography of British Columbia
Students will explore the physical and human geography of British Columbia. They will examine how and why environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political processes have shaped the development of British Columbia and its component regions. Students will consider current topics such as resource management, climate change, Indigenous sovereignty, and urban/rural development.
Level: UG
GEOG 2050 3 credits
Climate Change — Mitigation & Adaptation Strategies
Climate change strategies arguably involve the most pressing socio-economic, techno-scientific, and geo-political challenges of our times. Climate change strategies often include mitigation (greenhouse gas reduction) and adaptation (climate impacts planning) approaches. In this course, students will critically evaluate and devise case studies, policy reviews, projects or labs focused on climate-related strategies employed by communities — including urban, rural, and Indigenous. How climate strategies are unfolding in diverse communities in Canada and beyond will be explored through in-class or desktop research and local fieldwork.
Level: UG
GEOG 2140 3 credits
Geography of Canada
Students will explore the physical and human geography of Canada. They will examine how and why environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political processes have shaped the development of Canada and its component regions. Students will consider current topics such as natural hazards, climate change, Indigenous sovereignty, and Canada’s place in a changing world.
Level: UG
GEOG 2170 3 credits
Geography of Europe
Students will explore the physical and human geography of Europe. They will examine how and why environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political processes have shaped the development of Europe and its component regions. Students will consider current topics such as energy security, climate change, migration, and the state of the European Union.
Level: UG
GEOG 2185 3 credits
Geography of East Asia
Students will explore the physical and human geography of ‘East Asia’. They will critically examine how and why environmental, socio-economic, and political processes have shaped the development dynamics in East Asia, particularly in China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Taiwan. Students will explore the past, present, and future of the region by examining topics such as environmental and climate change, nationalism, globalization, resource conflicts, demographics, and urbanization in city-regions such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei.
Level: UG
GEOG 2190 3 credits
Geography of South Asia
Students will explore the physical and human geography of South Asia including, but not limited to, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. They will examine how and why environmental, cultural, socio-economic, and political processes have shaped the development of South Asia and its component regions. Students will consider current topics such as resource conflicts, climate change, gender relations, and economic development.
Level: UG
GEOG 2250 3 credits
The City
Students will study cities as distinctive spaces of human settlement. They will investigate the early origins of cities and the process of urbanization as it has unfolded over the course of human history. Students will explore spatial and temporal variations in urban function, urban form, and urban social organization. They will examine how these characteristics of cities are influenced by, and in turn shape, natural environmental conditions, technological innovations, economic development, demographic trends, and political organization. Students will apply the concepts of urban geography to understand cities around the world and, in particular, the landscape of metropolitan Vancouver.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
GEOG 2310 3 credits
Climatology
Students will apply scientific principles and methods to climatological processes. They will analyze climatological and meteorological concepts such as the radiation and energy balance, lapse rates and stability, water budgets and general circulation modelling. Students will examine the use of the concepts in weather and climate forecasting, as well as their use in understanding climate change.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including GEOG 1102 or GEOG 1110
GEOG 2320 3 credits
Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the study of landforms and the processes that shape them. The aim is to understand why landscapes look the way they do and what processes are responsible for their formation. Landscapes can be studied at different scales, so we will look at processes that impact large areas such as mountain building due to plate tectonics, and much more local events such as mass wasting events on hill slopes. Landforms evolve in response to a combination of natural and anthropogenic processes and every landscape is a representation of its history.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including GEOG 1102 or GEOG 1120
GEOG 2380 3 credits
Qualitative Methods in Geography
Students will learn and apply qualitative methods of information gathering, interpretation, and presentation. They will consider past and present usage of these methods in geography, and the ethical and practical considerations which guide qualitative approaches. They will practice a range of qualitative methods of information gathering and analysis, such as archival research, discourse analysis, questionnaires, and interviews. Students will also practice written, graphical, and oral methods of qualitative information communication and dissemination. They will consider the importance of these qualitative skills to their academic, professional, and social lives.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 9 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
GEOG 2390 3 credits
Quantitative Methods in Geography
Students will explore techniques for describing, visualizing, and analyzing quantitative data in geography. They will examine the application of descriptive and inferential statistical methods with particular attention to issues concerning spatial data. Students will develop basic proficiency using industry-standard computer software.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 18 credits at the 1100 level or higher
GEOG 2400 3 credits
Introduction to GIS
Students will study the basic theory of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and apply GIS concepts to practical problems in geography at an introductory level. They will discuss a range of GIS technical issues, apply GIS operations using a popular desktop GIS software package, and through these applications improve their skills in designing and creating appropriate graphics.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 3 credits from GEOG courses at the 1100 level or higher.
GEOG 3120 3 credits
Economic Geography
Students will critically examine the location and distribution of economic activities with particular emphasis at the urban scale. They will examine the unequal distribution of economic activity around the world and discuss processes of globalization and development. They will analyze theories explaining the location of natural resource industries, manufacturing and services, and changes in local and regional economies. Students will critically evaluate relationships among urban land use, transportation infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 18 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including ECON 1101 or GEOG 1101.
Attribute: ARTS
GEOG 3130 3 credits
Society and Urban Space
Students will examine society from a geographic, or 'spatial' perspective, with particular attention to the urban setting. They will explore how various facets of social identity such as race, ethnicity, disability, class, gender/sexuality, family status, age, and criminality, are expressed in the landscape. They will also examine how identities are shaped, and social relations influenced, by the organization of space. Students will explore and evaluate positions on a variety of related urban issues, such as housing affordability, gentrification, accessibility, crime prevention, and residential segregation. They will conduct research that addresses contemporary social geographic issues in metropolitan Vancouver.
Level: UG
GEOG 3220 3 credits
Urban Planning and Politics
Students will examine the principles and practices of urban planning, and the political organization of urban space, with special attention to Canadian cities. They will investigate the origins and development of urban planning, and critically assess principles and practices of contemporary land use zoning, transportation planning, and social planning. Students will learn about the political organization of urban areas, with attention to the development and characteristics of local and metropolitan-scale government. They will also examine relationships between urban governmental bodies and other political actors, including indigenous peoples and senior levels of government. Students will critically assess public participation in urban planning and urban electoral politics.
Level: UG
GEOG 3260 3 credits
Geographic Thought
Students will critically examine the perspectives, concepts, theories, and methodologies characteristic of geographic thought and of the discipline of Geography. They will survey the historical development of geographic thought and will assess contemporary approaches to geographic knowledge within physical and human geography. Students will review discussion about Geography's ability to provide holistic perspectives regarding the challenges facing humanity.
Level: UG
GEOG 3310 3 credits
Natural Hazards
Students will investigate physical processes and initiation of natural hazards such as geologic hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes), atmospheric hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes), hydrologic hazards (flooding, water pollution), biologic hazards (pest, diseases), as well as more general topics such as global climate change and its effects on hazard frequency. Students will analyze why certain populations are at risk and how humans try to prepare for and mitigate hazardous conditions. They will examine new technologies and investigate historic and recent events in case studies, lab and field trip settings.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 18 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including one of the following: GEOG 1102, GEOG 1110 or GEOG 1120
GEOG 3320 3 credits
Environment and Resources
Students will examine the principles and practices of environmental resource management. They will explore how resources are conceptualized and assess the effectiveness of resource management systems in addressing environmental issues, preserving ecological capital, and achieving socio-economic goals. They will critically analyse the character, roles and interactions among various actors involved in environmental resource management. They will, in examining these issues, pay particular attention to city-environment relationships. Students will conduct research that addresses a current environmental resource management issue.
Level: UG
GEOG 3330 3 credits
Hydrology
Students will critically examine theoretical and applied aspects of the hydrologic cycle near the Earth's surface. They will critically analyze precipitation, evaporation, groundwater flow, surface runoff and snowmelt processes. Students will examine and evaluate applied techniques including the collection, compilation and processing of field data.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 18 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including GEOG 1110 and 1120, or GEOG 1102
GEOG 3340 3 credits
Biogeography
Students will examine the past and present geographic distribution of wild plants and animals. They will study terms and theories applicable to biogeography, and the systems used to classify wild animals and plants. Students will investigate the various factors that influence the spatial and temporal patterns in the distribution of the earth's biomes, as well as the evolution and extinction of species. They will examine the impacts of humans on the biosphere, and human awareness of, and responses to, these impacts. Students will identify plants and classify specific biogeoclimatic zones on a field trip.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 18 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including two of the following: BIOL 1110, GEOG 1102, GEOG 1110 or GEOG 1120
Attribute: ARTS
GEOG 3390 3 credits
Methods in Environmental Geography
Students will learn current methods in Environmental Geography including field data collection, site studies, lab analysis, and computer modelling techniques. Students will examine research methodologies including field site choice, sampling strategies, primary and secondary data collection, and analysis, and presentation of collected data. This course will include field trips, collection and analysis of data, and report writing.
Level: UG
GEOG 4100 3 credits
Research Design in Geography
Students will develop a primary research proposal on a selected topic of relevance to human geography or physical geography. They will formulate a research question or questions rooted in a literature review of the issue in question. They will identify a methodology for the proposed research and outline a data instrument and sampling method, as appropriate. They will address the practical demands of geographic research, including scheduling, budgeting, and institutional oversight. and consider ways to disseminate results.
Level: UG
GEOG 4320 3 credits
Advanced Studies in Geomorphology
Students will further their geomorphological knowledge by critically examining landforms and the processes acting upon them through geomorphic applications, case studies, and field trips. They will use geomorphic techniques to explore landforms and the complex combination of natural and anthropogenic processes that influence landform evolution. Students will investigate glacial, fluvial, and coastal landforms and landscapes in the Lower Mainland through field trips and research projects.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 45 credits from courses at the 1100-level or higher, including GEOG 2320
Attribute: ARTS
GEOG 4350 3 credits
Climate Change
Students will investigate climate change through geological time with a strong focus on the Holocene. They will be introduced to different aspects of climate change, including the measurement of present and past climates, the causes of climate change, the consequences of changing climates, and the methods used to predict future climates. Students will apply this knowledge to understand how climate has changed throughout the Holocene and how these changes have influenced humans, in order to better anticipate the processes and impacts of future climate change and to evaluate efforts to mitigate these impacts.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including GEOG 2310.
GEOG 4380 3 credits
Applications in GIS
Students will further their knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by applying GIS technology to spatial analysis problems. They will use GIS to analyze case studies in fields such as environmental science, resource management, urban planning, social science, criminology and medicine. Students will explore the techniques, methods and processes involved in the development of a GIS, technical issues and project management.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): All of (a) 18 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, and (b) GEOG 2400
GEOG 4501 3 credits
Current Geographic Issues
Students will engage in an intensive study of a selected topic in geography, as determined by the instructor. They will review relevant literature, develop a research proposal, write a comprehensive report, and present the results of their research. Note: the topic of study will be established in advance by the department. Please check with the department for proposed offerings. Students may take this course multiple times for further credit on different topics.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
Attribute: ARTS
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