Program Overview
Program Overview
The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) offers a Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography, providing students with a strong background in natural sciences, a comprehensive understanding of factors affecting the environment, and hands-on expertise in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating data.
Program Details
- Specializations: Students can specialize in one or more sub-fields of Physical Geography, including:
- Climatology
- Geomorphology
- Biogeography
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Research Opportunities: Students have the opportunity to work with dedicated professors to conduct original lab and field-based research as early as their first year, in topics such as:
- Urban planning
- Food security
- Paleoecology
- Data luminescence
- Global development
- Climate change
- Co-op Work Placements: Optional paid co-op work placements throughout studies can help students gain valuable work experience and get references for employment or graduate studies.
Career Outlook
A Bachelor of Science in Geography prepares students to meet the surging demand in this field. According to the Conference Board of Canada's Skills for Success report, physical science professionals are one of the top 25 occupations likely to experience skills shortages in upcoming years.
Career Opportunities
- Government Agencies: Students may find employment in government agencies with environment, conservation, or natural resources portfolios.
- Environmental Consulting Firms: Students may find employment in environmental consulting firms.
- Surveying or Engineering Firms: Students may find employment in surveying or engineering firms.
- Natural Exploration Firms: Students may find employment in natural exploration firms.
- Forestry Companies: Students may find employment in forestry companies.
- Education: Students can pair their geography major with another in-demand subject such as French, Chemistry, or Math, to prepare for a rewarding career in education through UFV's enriched Teacher Education program.
Graduate Studies
A Bachelor of Science with a major in Geography is excellent preparation for a Master of Science in Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, or related fields. Students can choose the honours option to gain additional research experience, which can be featured on their résumé or graduate school application.
Program Outline
Teaching:
Teaching:
- Teaching methods: The program emphasizes hands-on learning through lab and field-based research, starting in the first year.
- Faculty: Students have opportunities to work with dedicated professors on diverse research topics.
- Unique approaches: The program offers optional paid co-op work placements for gaining valuable work experience.
Careers:
Careers:
- Career Outlook: The program prepares graduates for high-demand careers in:
- Government agencies related to environment, conservation, or natural resources
- Environmental consulting firms
- Surveying or engineering firms
- Natural exploration firms
- Forestry companies
- Skills in demand: The program equips graduates with skills identified as facing shortages in upcoming years.
- Enhancing career options: Pairing the geography major with another in-demand subject (French, Chemistry, Math) can lead to rewarding careers in education.
Other:
Other:
- Program benefits: The program helps students understand and address environmental issues like climate change and sustainable development.
- Research opportunities: Students can engage in original research as early as their first year, covering diverse topics like urban planning, food security, and climate change.
- Honours option: Students can gain additional research experience through the honours option, boosting their resumes or graduate school applications.
