Program Overview

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Master of Science Geography

The Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics conducts research and teaching on the interrelationships between human society and the physical world. Students are introduced to the full spectrum of subfields, including human and physical geography, environmental studies, and geomatics. Specific departmental strengths include polar environments, urban geography, climate change, and GIS and remote sensing.

Program Overview

In addition to its undergraduate programs, the department offers thesis-based two-year Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) programs, 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. The programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Admission Requirements

To be admissible to the master's program, the student must hold an Honours Bachelor in Geography or in Environmental Studies, or in a related discipline with an academic record indicating at least (B+) or the equivalent. Candidates whose bachelor's degree with honours (or the equivalent) is in an area other than geography may be admitted for a qualifying period, during which they must take selected courses required in the department's BA with honours program.

Additional Coursework

The Admissions Committee may, depending on the candidates background, require them to successfully complete additional courses, including language courses, beyond the basic MSc degree requirements.

Master of Science with Thesis

• Compulsory Courses:
  • GEG 5000: Graduate Field Camp (3 Units)
• Optional Courses:
  • 6 course units from:
    • ENV 5101: The Anthropocene
    • GEG 5310: Selected Topics in Physical Geography
    • GEG 5311: Environmental Change in Cold Regions
    • GEG 5707: Milieux nordiques
    • GEG 6101: Data Analysis and Modelling
    • GEG 6102: Practical GIS for Graduate Studies
    • GEG 6103: Spatial Data Science
    • GEG 7910: Directed Readings
• Thesis Project:
  • GEG 7996: Preparation and Presentation of the MSc Thesis Project (3 Units)
• Thesis:
  • THM 7999: Master's Thesis

Master of Science with a Concentration in Anthropocene with Coursework

• Compulsory Courses:
  • ENV 5101: The Anthropocene (3 Units)
  • GEG 5000: Graduate Field Camp (3 Units)
  • GEG 60001: Phipps-Langlois Seminars (1/2)
  • GEG 60002: Phipps-Langlois Seminars (2/2) (3 Units)
• Optional Courses:
  • 6 course units from:
    • GEG 5105: Selected Topics in Human Geography
    • GEG 5109: Place and Social Transformations
    • GEG 5310: Selected Topics in Physical Geography
    • GEG 5311: Environmental Change in Cold Regions
    • GEG 6101: Data Analysis and Modelling
    • GEG 6102: Practical GIS for Graduate Studies
    • GEG 6103: Spatial Data Science
  • 3 course units from:
    • ANT 6102: Globalization and Capitalist Imaginaries
    • ANT 6104: Indigeneities
    • ANT 6122: Environmental Anthropology
    • EDU 6106: Science, Technology, Society and Environment
    • DVM 6102: Livelihoods, Resources and Sustainability
    • DVM 6112: Special Topics in Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainability
• Experiential and Research Courses:
  • 6 course units from:
    • GEG 6001: Internship I
    • GEG 6002: Internship II

Master of Science with a Concentration in Anthropocene with Research Paper

• Compulsory Courses:
  • ENV 5101: The Anthropocene (3 Units)
  • GEG 5000: Graduate Field Camp (3 Units)
  • GEG 60001: Phipps-Langlois Seminars (1/2)
  • GEG 60002: Phipps-Langlois Seminars (2/2) (3 Units)
• Optional Courses:
  • 6 course units from:
    • GEG 5105: Selected Topics in Human Geography
    • GEG 5109: Place and Social Transformations
    • GEG 5310: Selected Topics in Physical Geography
    • GEG 5311: Environmental Change in Cold Regions
    • GEG 6101: Data Analysis and Modelling
    • GEG 6102: Practical GIS for Graduate Studies
    • GEG 6103: Spatial Data Science
  • 3 course units from:
    • ANT 6102: Globalization and Capitalist Imaginaries
    • ANT 6104: Indigeneities
    • ANT 6122: Environmental Anthropology
    • EDU 6106: Science, Technology, Society and Environment
    • DVM 6102: Livelihoods, Resources and Sustainability
    • DVM 6112: Special Topics in Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainability
• Experiential and Research Courses:
  • MRP 6999: Major Research Paper

Duration of Program

• Master of Science with Thesis: Students are expected to complete all requirements within two years. The thesis must be submitted within four years of the date of initial enrollment in the program.
• Master of Science with a Concentration in Anthropocene with Coursework or Research Paper: Students are expected to complete all requirements within 12 months.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. A student who has incurred two failures is withdrawn from the program.

Courses

GEG 5105 Selected Topics in Human Geography (3 units)

In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to new trends or research areas in human geography.

GEG 5109 Place and Social Transformations (3 units)

Interplay between social and spatial transformations and its implications for meanings and representations from global to local scales.

GEG 5310 Selected Topics in Physical Geography (3 units)

GEG 5311 Environmental Change in Cold Regions (3 units)

Dynamics of cold environments with particular emphasis on their sensitivity to climate variability and climate change, natural and anthropogenically induced.

GEG 6101 Data Analysis and Modelling (3 units)

Techniques of analysis of empirical data: quantitative, semi-quantitative and qualitative. Multivariate and time-series data analysis.

GEG 6102 Practical GIS for Graduate Studies (3 units)

Think you might want to use geographic information systems (GIS) in your thesis research? Are you fascinated by the potential of spatial data science to enhance your research? If you answered yes to either of those questions then this introductory level course is for you.

GEG 6103 Spatial Data Science (3 units)

Spatial data science is useful in many fields, including big data, population health sciences, biological sciences, earth sciences, medicine, engineering and social sciences. In this course, you will learn how to manipulate, analyze and model spatial data.

Research at the University of Ottawa

Located in the heart of Canadas capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canadas top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion.

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 at the Faculty of Arts

Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-fran蓷ise, Institute of Canadian and Aboriginal Studies, Institute for Science, Society and Policy, Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) and Morisset Library.