Program Overview

Geography and Environmental Management

The Geography and Environmental Management program at the University of Waterloo is designed to equip students with the advanced technical skills required to address pressing environmental issues. With a long tradition of exploring the Earth's human and physical environments, geographers in this program will learn about climate change, the impact of environment on health, water and land resource management, global population growth, and urban development.

Course Topics

The program covers a wide range of topics, including:

• climate change
• population dynamics
• water resources science and management
• economic development
• transportation
• wetlands
• environmental health
• food systems
• geographic information systems (GIS)
• remote sensing
• statistics and research methods
• climatology
• snow and ice environments

What Sets Us Apart

• Geography at Waterloo is ranked in the top 50 in the world and top 4 in Canada (QS World University Rankings).
• The program offers a breadth of courses that allow students to discover their personal passion for science, including physical and social sciences, and the humanities.
• Students can take advantage of experiential components woven throughout dozens of courses, such as measuring water flow in a stream, creating professional-quality maps with advanced software, and participating in field studies in different cultures.

Program Structure

The program allows students to add a double major in another subject and choose from a variety of real-world focused specializations and options. Students can also learn through experiential components and participate in field studies in different cultures.

Research Areas

The program covers various research areas, including:

• Climate Change
• Economy and Society
• Earth Systems Science
• Geomatics

Graduate Programs

The university offers graduate programs in Geography, including Master's and PhD degrees, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Climate Change. These programs provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in geography and environmental management, preparing them for careers in research, academia, and industry.