Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Arts Program

The Department of Geography offers a thesis-based two-year Master of Arts (MA) program, as well as a course-based interdisciplinary one-year Master concentration in The Anthropocene (MSc), and a PhD in Geography. Through the MA and MSc programs, students can also participate in the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy.

Program Governance and Admission Requirements

The programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies. Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the general regulations in effect for graduate studies, as well as the specific requirements of the department. Students may be admitted to the MA program on the basis of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in geography or a related discipline, with an academic record indicating at least a (B+) average or the equivalent.

Additional Coursework

The Admissions Committee may, depending on the candidate's background, require them to successfully complete additional courses, including language courses, beyond the basic BA degree requirements.

Application Deadline and Transfer to PhD

To find the application deadline, please check the program-specific requirements under Application Procedures and Information. Students enrolled in the MA or MSc program in geography at the University of Ottawa who have obtained excellent results may be admitted into the PhD program without completing a master's thesis. To take advantage of this option, they must meet, in sequence, the following conditions:

• Obtain a minimum average of A- in three master's courses
• Have the department's approval
• Successfully complete GEG 7906
• Demonstrate satisfactory progress in the research program

Course List

The program includes the following compulsory and optional courses:

• Compulsory Courses: GEG 5000 Graduate Field Camp
• Optional Courses: 6 optional course units in geography (GEG) or environmental studies (ENV) at the graduate level
• Second Language Proficiency Test: 2 units
• Comprehensive Examination: GEG 9998 Comprehensive Examination
• Thesis Project: GEG 9001 Preparation of Ph.D. Thesis Project: 6 units
• Thesis: THD 9999 Doctoral Thesis

Notes

1. A maximum of three course units can be replaced by three other units approved by the Department of Geography.
2. Students whose mother tongue is either English or French must demonstrate passive knowledge of the second official language of Canada. This can be done by passing a language test in the first year of their studies, or by completing a language course at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Minimum Standards and Duration of Program

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units) must withdraw from the program. The requirements of the program are usually fulfilled within two years. The maximum time permitted is three years from the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Thesis Advisory Committee

During the first term of the program, a thesis advisory committee (TAC) is formed for the candidate. The Committee's membership will be determined by the specific interests of the candidate. It will be composed of the supervisor and 2-3 additional professors. At least one member of the thesis committee, in addition to the supervisor, must be from the Faculty of Arts. The TAC is responsible for guiding the student throughout the program, including course selection, the comprehensive examination, thesis proposal, and thesis defense. A meeting between the student and the Thesis Advisory Committee will take place at least once per term.

Research at the University of Ottawa

Located in the heart of Canada's capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada's top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance, and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:

• Creating a sustainable environment
• Advancing just societies
• Shaping the digital world
• Enabling lifelong health and wellness

Research at the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is proud of the state-of-the-art research conducted by its professors. In the spirit of showcasing its research to the university community as well as to the general public, the Faculty has created three activities: Dean's Lecture Series, Treasures of the Library, and Excellence Lectures.

Facilities, Research Centres, and Institutes

The Faculty of Arts has several research centers and institutes, including:

• Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française
• Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies
• Institute for Science, Society and Policy
• Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI)
• Morisset Library

Course Codes and Availability

Courses with 51XX and 55XX codes are reserved for students enrolled in the MA or PhD programs. Courses with 53XX and 57XX codes are reserved for students enrolled in the MSc or PhD programs. Courses at the 6000-level are available for all graduate students in geography. Courses at the 7000-level are reserved for students enrolled in the MA and MSc programs. Courses at the 8000- or 9000-levels are reserved for students enrolled in the PhD program.

Course Offerings

Some of the courses offered include:

• GEG 5105 Selected Topics in Human Geography (3 units)
• GEG 5109 Place and Social Transformations (3 units)
• GEG 5310 Selected Topics in Physical Geography (3 units)
• GEG 5311 Environmental Change in Cold Regions (3 units)
• GEG 5505 Thčmes choisis en géographie humaine (3 crédits)
• GEG 5510 Espaces et lieux entre société et culture (3 crédits)
• GEG 5707 Milieux nordiques (3 crédits)
• GEG 5710 Thčmes choisis en géographie physique (3 crédits)
• GEG 5970 Lectures dirigées / Directed Readings I (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 5973 Élaboration du projet de thčse (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 6000 Phipps-Langlois Seminars (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 60001 Séminaires Phipps-Langlois (1/2) / Phipps-Langlois Seminars (1/2)
• GEG 60002 Séminaires Phipps-Langlois (2/2) / Phipps-Langlois Seminars (2/2) (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 6001 Stage I / Internship I (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 6002 Stage II / Internship II (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 6003 Mémoire / Major Research Paper (6 crédits / 6 units)
• GEG 6101 Data Analysis and Modelling (3 units)
• GEG 6102 Practical GIS for Graduate Studies (3 units)
• GEG 6103 Spatial Data Science (3 units)
• GEG 6501 Analyse de données et modélisation (3 crédits)
• GEG 6502 SIG pratique pour les études supérieures (3 crédits)
• GEG 6503 Science des données spatiales (3 crédits)
• GEG 7906 Recherche dirigée / Directed Research (6 crédits / 6 units)
• GEG 7910 Lectures dirigées / Directed Readings (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 7996 Élaboration et présentation du projet de thčse de maîtrise čs sciences / Preparation and Presentation of the MSc Thesis Project (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 7998 Élaboration et présentation du projet de thčse de maîtrise čs arts / Preparation and Presentation of the M.A. Thesis Project (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 8900 Lectures dirigées / Directed Readings (3 crédits / 3 units)
• GEG 9001 Élaboration du projet de thčse de doctorat / Preparation of Ph.D. Thesis Project (6 crédits / 6 units)
• GEG 9998 Examen de synthčse / Comprehensive Examination