Human Geography

The Human Geography programs provide the opportunity to learn about the relations between landscapes, places, people and nature, and the spatial organization of human activities. While students are encouraged to explore the breadth of the discipline, we also identify courses by theme for students who wish to develop expertise in one or two subfields (e.g., urban geography, cultural and historical geography).  The Human Geography programs appeal to students who wish to develop an integrative understanding of the cultural, economic, political and social forces that shape how people use and experience the environments they live in. These programs offer training in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including GIS and Remote Sensing.

Program Requirements:  For the full list of course descriptions, please see the Faculty of Arts & Science Calendar.

Specialist Enrolment 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:

First Year Geography Courses: Any 2 courses (1.0 credit) from JEG100H1, GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR112H1, GGR124H1, GGR196H1, GGR197H1, GGR198H1, GGR199H1. 200/300-level GGR courses may also be used to meet this requirement. Contact the Undergraduate Administrator to update your program.

Physical and Environmental Geography Course: Any course (0.5 credit) not used to satisfy first year course requirement from JEG100H1, GGR101H1, GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR223H1

Methods Courses: All (1.5 credits) of GGR270H1, GGR271H1, GGR272H1

Regional Geography Course: Any course (0.5 credit) from GGR240H1, GGR246H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1

Fourth Year Courses: Any 2 (1.0 credit) 400 series GGR courses, at least one of which must be from Group E. Up to 0.5 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department.

Applications: Any 11 courses (5.5 credits) from Group E; Up to 1.5 credits can be from Group F. Up to 1.0 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department.

Note: At least 4.0 credits must be 300/400 series courses. Of these, at least 1.0 credit must be 400 series (includes Fourth Year Course requirement).

Total credits: 10.0

Major Enrolment 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:

First Year Geography Courses: Any two courses (1.0 credit) from JEG100H1, GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR112H1, GGR124H1, GGR196H1, GGR197H1, GGR198H1, GGR199H1. 200/300-level GGR courses may also be used to meet this requirement. Contact the Undergraduate Administrator to update your program.

Physical and Environmental Geography Course: Any course (0.5 credit) not used to satisfy first year course requirement from JEG100H1, GGR101H1, GGR201H1, GGR203H1, GGR205H1, GGR206H1, GGR223H1

Methods Courses: All (1.0 credit) of GGR270H1, GGR271H1

Regional Geography Course: Any course (0.5 credit) from GGR240H1, GGR246H1, GGR254H1, GGR341H1, GGR342H1, GGR343H1, GGR344H1

Fourth Year Course: Any course (0.5 credit) from 400 series courses from Group E.

Applications: Any 7 courses (3.5 credits) from Group E; Up to 1.0 credit can be from Group F. Up to 1.0 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department.

Note: At least 2.0 credits must be 300/400 series courses. Of these, at least 0.5 must be 400 series (includes Fourth Year Course requirement).

Total credits: 7.0

Minor Enrolment 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, GGR101H1, GGR107H1, GGR112H1, GGR124H1, GGR196H1, GGR197H1, GGR198H1, GGR199H1. 200/300-level GGR courses may also be used to meet this requirement. Contact the Undergraduate Administrator to update your program.

Applications: Any 6 courses (3.0 credits) from higher level GGR/JFG/JGE/JGI/JUG social science or humanities courses, including at least 1.0 credit at the 300/400-level. One course (0.5 credit) can be from Group F. Up to 1.0 credit can be used from GGR493Y1, based on suitability of placement for this program, and approved by department.

Human Geography Groups

Group E Optional courses for Human Geography:

Group F (Optional science courses)