Physical & Environmental Geography
Physical and Environmental Geography offers science-based programs for students interested in an integrative approach to understanding the earth’s biotic and abiotic systems, including their spatial dynamics and the ways they are altered by human action. The programs provide a foundation in the subfields of climatology, biogeography, hydrology, and geomorphology. Students gain practical experience in lab and field settings. Technical skills taught also include data analysis, geospatial analytical tools, including GIS and Remote Sensing.
Program Requirements: For the full list of course descriptions, please see the Faculty of Arts & Science Calendar
Specialist Entry Requirements:
This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol.
Variable Minimum Grade
A minimum grade is needed for entry, and this minimum changes each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses must be completed:
- 0.5 credit in GGR courses at the 100- or 200-level, with a minimum grade of 75%, or
- 1.0 credit in GGR courses at the 100- or 200-level, with a minimum grade of 70%
To ensure that students admitted to the program will be successful, applicants with a final grade or grade average lower than the minimum grades stated above will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining this minimum final grade does not guarantee admission to the program. Jointly-offered GGR courses will also be considered (e.g. JEG, JGI, JGE).
Completion Requirements:
Introductory courses: Any 6 half courses or the equivalent (3.0 credits) from JEG100H1, MAT133Y1/ MAT135H1/ MAT136H1/ MAT137Y1/ MAT157Y1, MAT223H1/ MAT240H1, MAT224H1/ MAT247H1, PHY131H1/ PHY151H1, PHY132H1/ PHY152H1, CHM138H/ CHM136H1, CHM139H/ CHM135H1, CHM151Y1, BIO120H1, BIO130H1, at least two of which must be Math or Phys half courses.
Core Courses: Any 4 courses (2.0 credits) from GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, up to one half course from Group H.
Regional Geography Courses: Any course (0.5 credit) from GGR101H1, GGR240H1, GGR246H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1
Methods Courses: All (2.0 credits) of GGR270H1, GGR272H1, GGR337H1, GGR390H1
Applications: Any 7 courses (3.5 credits) from GGR273H1, GGR301H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, GGR310H1/ FOR310H1, GGR314H1, GGR373H1, GGR347H1, GGR348H1, GGR416H1, (but no more than one of GGR273H1, GGR373H1), up to 1.0 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department. Any GGR course from the list for Core Courses and Fourth Year Courses not already used. Up to 1.5 credits from Group I. No more than one of GGR273H1, GGR373H1.
Fourth Year Courses: Any 2 courses (1.0 credit) from GGR401H1, GGR405H1, GGR406H1, GGR413H1, GGR414H1, GGR491Y1, GGR498H1, 400-series in Group I, but the total number of half courses from Group I (including 300-series courses) must not exceed 3. Up to 0.5 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department.
Total credits: 12.0
Major Entry Requirements:
This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol.
Variable Minimum Grade
A minimum grade is needed for entry, and this minimum changes each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses must be completed:
- 0.5 credit in GGR courses at the 100- or 200-level, with a minimum grade of 67%, or
- 1.0 credit in GGR courses at the 100- or 200-level, with a minimum grade of 63%
To ensure that students admitted to the program will be successful, applicants with a final grade or grade average lower than the minimum grades stated above will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining this minimum final grade does not guarantee admission to the program. Jointly-offered GGR courses will also be considered (e.g. JEG, JGI, JGE).
Completion Requirements:
Introductory Courses: Any 4 half courses or the equivalent (2.0 credits) from JEG100H1, MAT133Y1/ MAT135H1/ MAT136H1/ MAT137Y1/ MAT157Y1, MAT223H1/ MAT240H1, MAT224H1/ MAT247H1, PHY131H1/ PHY151H1, PHY132H1/ PHY152H1, CHM138H/ CHM136H1, CHM139H/ CHM135H1, CHM151Y1, BIO120H1, BIO130H1, at least two of which must be Math or Phys half courses.
Core Courses: Any 3 courses (1.5 credits) from GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1
Regional Geography Course: Any course (0.5 credit) from GGR101H1, GGR240H1, GGR246H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1
Methods Courses: All (1.5 credits) of GGR270H1, GGR272H1, GGR390H1
Applications: Any 4 courses (2.0 credits) from GGR273H1, GGR301H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, GGR310H1/ FOR310H1, GGR314H1, GGR337H1, GGR373H1, GGR347H1, GGR348H1, GGR416H1. Up to 1.0 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department. Any GGR course from the list for Core Courses and Fourth Year Courses not already used. Any one half course from Group I. No more than one from GGR273H1, GGR373H1.
Fourth Year Course: Any course (0.5 credit) from GGR401H1, GGR405H1, GGR406H1, GGR413H1, GGR414H1, GGR491Y1, GGR498H1
Total credits: 8.0
Minor Entry Requirements:
This is an open enrolment program. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in the program.
Completion Requirements:
(4.0 credits)
First Year Geography Courses: Any 2 courses (1.0 credit) from JEG100H1 (recommended), GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR112H1, GGR124H1, GGR196H1, GGR197H1, GGR198H1, GGR199H1
Core Courses: Any 2 courses (1.0 credit) from GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1
Methods Courses: One (0.5 credit) of GGR301H1/ GGR305H1/ GGR308H1 and one (0.5 credit) of GGR272H1/ GGR337H1
Applications: Any 2 courses (1.0 credit) from GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR301H1, GGR305H1, GGR307H1, GGR308H1, GGR310H1/ FOR310H1, GGR314H1, GGR347H1, GGR348H1, GGR390H1, GGR401H1, GGR405H1, GGR406H1, GGR413H1, GGR414H1. Up to a 0.5 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department.
Physical & Environmental Geography Groups
Group H: Faculty of Arts & Science courses
- CHM217H1 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
- CHM310H1 Environmental Chemistry
- ESS224H1 Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology
- ESS261H1 Earth System Evolution
Group I