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 > TRU Home > Programs > Programs and Courses Catalogue > Geography and Environmental Studies Major,
Bachelor of Arts

Geography and Environmental Studies Major,
Bachelor of Arts

Explore your world and learn how you can make it a better place.

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Why choose TRU?
Where will this take me?
Program details
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Learn how you can make a difference. Our Geography and Environmental studies program, provides you with a deep understanding of our planet, its ecosystems and geography, and how we interact with it. Use this knowledge to take action and make a difference to the environmental and geographical challenges we face today and tomorrow.

With TRU’s Geography and Environmental Science Major baccalaureate degree, you will benefit from strong teaching and research expertise in areas from urban and rural landscapes to environmental and economic geography as well as hydrology, climatology, meteorology, geomorphology and innovative geomatics technologies.

Become part of the story that ends climate change, pandemic and extinction while solving the Earth’s most interesting mysteries.

Why pursue a Bachelor of Arts, Geography and Environmental Studies Major at TRU?

Gain the skills you need to follow your passions of exploring and healing our planet, its people and places, as your career. Become an agent of change by learning how you can make a difference through topics including climate change, sustainability and environmental policy.

Choice

Choose between three areas of study (general, physical geography and honours majors) and further focus your interests on areas of environmental studies, human geography, physical geography and geographical methods. Enjoy digging deep into course topics including: cultural geography, environmental science, geographical methods, geomatics, hydrology, physical geography and urban geography.

Experiential Learning

Hands-on, tactical experience is key to success in navigating an increasingly competitive job market. Your involvement in undergraduate research, co-operative work placements, practicums, field schools, service learning and study abroad while completing your Geography and Environmental Sciences major of choice, will give you the advantage.

Faculty

We are proud to present a strong teaching and researching faculty within the geography and environmental studies department at TRU. Some areas of expertise represented by our faculty include: climatology/meteorology, economic geography, emerging geomatics technology and methods (including Geographical Information Systems), environmental geography, geomorphology, hydrology and Japan and the Americas.

Advancement

As a graduate of the BA, Geography and Environmental Studies baccalaureate program you can pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences among other graduate programs.

Credential
Master of Education
Delivery
Kamloops
Length
30 credits
Intake dates
Sep
Applications
Now accepting applications
International
Open to international applicants
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What will I learn?

Change through education is at the centre of our Geography and Environmental Studies program. By participating in classroom discussions, readings, field study, co-op placements, guided research and independent study, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the tools required to analyze biophysical processes, environmental issues, land use policies, geographical practices and more.

With three areas of study to select from, you can truly focus your interests.

General Geography and Environmental Studies Major – If you are eager to learn about the relationships between humans and the natural environment as well as sustainable practices for human development, this is the option for you.

Physical Geography Major – This is the perfect option if you want a more in depth understanding of the physical processes of the earth.

Honours Major - If you are interested in all areas of geography and environmental studies but are also looking for a greater challenge, or perhaps advancing into graduate studies, this is your best option. The Honours option adds depth of study through higher level course work requirements.

These areas of focus will provide you skills and in-depth knowledge including an understanding of:

  • Geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and other technology for studying the Earth.
  • Physical processes that cycle energy, carbon, water and other nutrients through the Earth system.
  • Quantitative research methods, particularly those suited for investigating spatial and temporal phenomena.
  • The relationship between humans and the physical environment.
  • The structure and dynamics of Earth.

Where will this take me?

It is integral that in light of increasing globalization, resource depletion, overpopulation and climate issues, government agencies continue to foster research and awareness of the places, people and natural systems affecting our planet. As a graduate of TRU’s Geography and Environmental Studies Baccalaureate Degree program, you are the answer.

A Geography and Environmental Studies degree provides the educational acumen required for careers in the public sector and in non-governmental organizations, particularly with policy makers and consulting agencies. Some possible careers you could pursue include:

  • Business analysts and project managers in education
  • Corporate trainer
  • Curriculum developer
  • Digital learning and development manager
  • Educational consultant, coordinator, or director
  • Instructional designers and editors
  • International student recruiter
  • Marketing and communications editors and writers
  • Post-secondary instructors (online and on campus)
  • Principal or administrator
  • Private sector educators in TESL, early childhood, and special education
  • School counselor or career advisor
  • Subject matter consultants and reviewers
  • Textbook writers and editors

You can also leverage the solid research, critical thinking and writing skills you acquired throughout your degree into other careers. Graduates find added pathways in education, tourism, publishing, market research, transportation, logistics and more.

Research opportunities

Interested in taking part in research projects as you complete your degree?

We have faculty to help you with that.

  • The Comprehensive University Enhancement Fund
  • GEOG 4480, Directed Studies in Geography and Environmental Studies
  • The support of faculty supervising Environmental Science Masters students research projects

Program Details

Graduation requirements

As a Bachelor of Arts student, you must declare a major in geography and environmental studies before entering your third year of the BA program. Contact your BA Advisor to inform them of your decision to declare your Major in Geography and Environmental Studies.

You will need to meet with a Geography and Environmental Studies program advisor to ensure that you qualify and select appropriate courses.

There are three program options to select from:

  • Geography and Environmental Studies Major
  • Geography and Environmental Studies – Physical Geography Major
  • Geography and Environmental Studies Honours Major

The lower level courses are the same for all three program options. Specific course requirements differ in upper level courses.

Course list
Lower level

(Applicable to all three program options)

  • GEOG 1010, People, Places and Landscapes: Introducing Human Geography (3)
    or
    GEOG 1110, World Regional Geography (3)
  • GEOG 1000, Planet Earth: An Introduction to Earth System Science (3)
  • GEOG 2020, Weather, Climate and Global Environmental Change (3)
    or
    GEOG 2050, Introduction to Hydrology (3)
  • GEOG 2400, Geographic Thought (3)
  • GEOG 2700, Introduction to Geographical Analysis (3)
  • GEOG 2740, Geodesy and the Visualization of Geographic Data
  • GEOG 2750, Geographic Information Systems (3)
  • One of:
    • GEOG 1100, Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability (3)
    • GEOG 2110, Geography of the Economic Landscape (3)
    • GEOG 2120-Geography of Urban and Regional Planning (3)
    • GEOG 2220, Regional Geography of Canada (3)
    • GEOG 2221, Regional Geography of Canada (3)
    • GEOG 2230, The Regional Geography of British Columbia and Yukon (3)
    • GEOG 2231, Geography of British Columbia (3)
    • GEOG 2649, Canadian Cities (3)
    • or any of the following courses that were not chosen from the other optional courses including GEOG 1010, 1110, 2020 or 2050
Upper level

As you move into upper level courses you can choose between three Major options including:

  • Geography and Environmental Studies Major
  • Geography and Environmental Studies Physical Geography Major
  • Geography and Environmental Studies Honours Major
Majors
Geography and Environmental Studies Major

Course requirements include:

Thirty 3000- or 4000-level GEOG credits

Please note:

  • At least three credits must be from 4000-level GEOG courses.
  • You must select at least three credits from each of the four course groups listed below including: Environmental Studies, Human Geography, Physical Geography and Geographical Methods.
  • You can complete your remaining 18 upper-level GEOG credits by combining courses from any of the four groups, including any one of GEOG 3990, 4480 or 4990.
Geography and Environmental Studies Physical Geography

Course requirements include:

Thirty 3000- or 4000-level GEOG credits

Please note:

  • At least three credits must be from 4000-level GEOG courses.
  • You must select at least 15 credits from the Physical Geography course group as listed below
  • You must select at least three credits from the other three course groups listed below including: Environmental Studies, Human Geography and Geographical Methods.
  • You can complete your remaining six upper-level GEOG credits by combining courses from any of the four groups, including any one of GEOG 3990, 4480 or 4990.
Geography and Environmental Studies Honours Major*

In order to enter the Honours program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all of the lower-level course requirements.

Course requirements include:

Forty-two 3000- or 4000-level GEOG credits

Please note:

  • You must select at least three credits from each of the four course groups listed below including: Environmental Studies, Human Geography, Physical Geography and Geographical Methods.
  • At least nine credits must be selected from any of the 4000-level GEOG courses listed in any of the four course groups listed below or you may select either GEOG 4480 or 4990.
  • You can complete your remaining 21 upper-level GEOG credits by combining courses from any of the four groups, including GEOG 3990.
  • You will need to maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.00 in all 42 upper-level GEOG credits and must not receive a grade below B- (2.67) in any three credits from the total 42 credits required for the Honours Major.
  • You may retake a course once in order to reach the grade requirement.
Upper-level GEOG Course Groups
Environmental Studies
  • ENVS 3991, Environmental Studies: Sustainability
  • GEOG 3100, Environment and Resources
  • GEOG 3650, Geography of Consumption
  • GEOG 3991, Global Climate Change and Regional Impacts
  • GEOG 4230, Attitudes Toward the Environment
  • GEOG 4510, Sustainable Rural Systems
  • GEOG 4800, Environmental Issues and Policies
Human Geography
  • GEOG 3200, Introduction to Cultural Geography
  • GEOG 3210, Historical Geography of Urbanization
  • GEOG 3230, Geographies of Gender
  • GEOG 3270, Historical Geography of Canada I: Canada before 1850
  • GEOG 3280, Historical Geography of Canada II: Canada after 1850
  • GEOG 3500, Introduction to Urban Geography
  • GEOG 3510, Rural Geography
  • GEOG 3550, Geography of the Urban-Rural Fringe
  • GEOG 3570, Introduction to Social and Behavioural Geography
  • GEOG 3610, Themes in Economic Geography
  • GEOG 3900, Geography of a Selected Regional
  • GEOG 4240, Geography of Tourism
  • GEOG 4500, Urban Analysis
  • GEOG 4800, Environmental Issues and Policies
  • GEOG 4810, Geography of Small Cities
  • GEOG 4840, Postcolonial Geographies
  • GEOG 4850, Geographies of First Nations Issues in British Columbia
Physical Geography
  • GEOG 3040, Environment Climatology and Meteorology
  • GEOG 3050, Physical Hydrology
  • GEOG 3060, Groundwater Hydrology
  • GEOG 3070, Biogeography
  • GEOG 3080, Geomorphology
  • GEOG 3129, Geography of Natural Hazards
  • GEOG 4050, Fluvial Geomorphology
  • GEOG 4060, Advances in Hydrology
  • GEOG 4820, Urban Biophysical Systems
Geographical Methods
  • GEOG 3700, Field Methods in Geography
  • GEOG 3740, Remote Sensing of the Environment
  • GEOG 3750, Applications of Geographical Information Systems
  • GEOG 3770, GIS for Water Resources Systems Analysis
  • GEOG 4740, Spatiotemporal Analysis
  • GEOG 4750, Advances in Geomatics

Tuition & Fees

Cost for this program per semester:

  • Canadian
  • International
Choose the number of courses:
Tuition $0.00
Fees $0.00
Books and supplies
Typically about $150 per course		 $0.00
Total (CDN) $0.00

Does not include a lab fee of $21.29 that may apply to some courses.

Have questions about the program?

We’re here to help you submit an application that best reflects your abilities, and gives you the best chance of being accepted. We've helped thousands of people complete a successful year at TRU by answering questions like these:

Application tips
  • Can I apply if I haven't met all the requirements yet?
  • How long does it take to hear back once I've applied?
Expenses
  • How much does my program cost?
  • Can I pay in installments?
  • How much will I need for living expenses in Kamloops?
Logistics
  • How do I get to Kamloops?
  • Where will I live in Kamloops?
  • Do I need a visa?

Tom Waldichuk, Chair
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

250-371-5718
twaldichuk@tru.ca

International Student Admissions

+1-250-828-5252
igrad@tru.ca

Apply now
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Related programs

The four-year Bachelor of Arts, Geography and Environmental Studies Major baccalaureate degree can be used to gain entrance into many of TRU’s Masters programs including:

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