Geography (GEOG) Courses
Geography and Env.St.
Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
4000-level courses are normally restricted to students with fourth-year Honours standing. However, students with third-year standing may take 4000-level courses provided they have the necessary prerequisites, a Geography CGPA of 6.50 or better, and permission of the Department.
Global Environmental Systems
Principles, processes and interactions in the Earth's environment emphasizing the flow of energy and matter within global systems. Atmospheric and oceanic processes, earth surface processes and biogeochemical cycling. Case studies on the interaction between human activity and the natural environment.
Lectures three hours a week, laboratory two hours a week.
People, Places and Environments
Examination of the relationships between people, society and the natural environment at scales ranging from the local community to the global one. Population change, cultural patterns, and the major historical, economic and political forces that shape human activity and experiences from place to place.
Precludes additional credit for GEOG 1001/ENST 1001 (if taken before 2006-2007).
Lectures two hours a week and laboratory or tutorial one hour a week.
Geographic Inquiry
Theory and method in the production of geographical knowledge. The research process, from generating questions through reporting results. Intensive and extensive research approaches are compared, demonstrating their complementary potential. Fundamentals of qualitative data generation and analysis.
Lectures two hours a week, workshop two hours a week.
Statistical Methods in Geography
Introduction to solving problems in geography using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Graphical and numerical tools to describe distributions. Probability, sampling and estimates, and hypothesis testing. Fundamentals of spatial statistics and analysis.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 2005 or permission of the Department.
Lectures two hours a week, laboratory two hours a week.
Weather and Water
Introduction to climate, weather and the hydrological cycle. Physical properties of the atmosphere, radiation and energy balances, global circulation, atmospheric moisture and precipitation, weather systems and forecasting, mechanisms of climate change.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 1010 or ERTH 1006.
Lectures three hours a week, laboratory three hours a week.
The Earth's Surface
Introduction to geomorphology. Weathering, slope and fluvial processes within drainage basins, and glacial and periglacial processes.
Physical Environments of Canada
Canada's physiography, climates, biogeography, soils, and landforms.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 1010 or ERTH 1006 or ERTH 1010.
Lectures three hours a week.
Global Connections
Globalization and global environmental change as linked processes. Geographical analysis of economic, cultural and political transformations acting at global, national and local scales. Choices and constraints underlying economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Lectures three hours a week.
Space, Place and Identity
Cultural specifications of place and identity in geopolitics. Landscapes as artifacts of local, national and global identity. Diasporas, migrations and historical evolution of the meanings of location. Consumption and urban cultural spaces.
Lectures two hours a week, discussion one hour a week.
Geography Behind the Headlines
Exploration of the geographical backgrounds to selected issues of current public interest, through geography's perspective of integrating human and physical environments. Issues selected will be structured from the global through the national/regional to the local, identifying the interdependencies among the scales.
Honours Field Course
Guided and independent geographic field research, with a focus on data collection methods, analysis and presentation of findings. Normally consists of a 7-10 day field excursion in the Ottawa region. A supplementary charge may apply.
Prerequisite(s): third-year Honours standing in Geography, or permission of the Department.
Qualitative Methods
In-depth examination of the rationale for and use of qualitative approaches in geographical research. Topics include: links between theory and methods; qualitative methodologies, such as: interviewing, textual analysis, group discussions, participant observation, ethnography; interpretative strategies; research ethics; triangulation.
Quantitative Geography
Quantitative methods used in geographical research: multiple correlation and regression, principal component/factor analysis, spatial statistics, cluster analysis, and a review of other selected techniques. Computer-based analysis.
Lecture two hours a week, laboratory two hours a week.
Field Methods in Physical Geography
Field and laboratory approaches, methodologies and techniques in physical geography. Field projects will be undertaken to collect data for analysis, evaluation and presentation. A supplementary charge may apply.
Culture, Place and Time
Examination of culture, identity and place over time. Colonial and other historical processes that have shaped societies from place to place; relationships between cultural groups and their natural surroundings; gender, ethnicity, nationality and other dimensions of identity; impacts of globalization.
Lecture three hours a week.
Environmental and Natural Resources
Exploration of complexity, dynamics, uncertainty and equity issues underpinning environmental and resource issues; review and appraisal of selected contemporary methods to assess and manage environmental and natural resources.
Lecture three hours a week.
Cities in a Global World
Introduces the study of cities as “systems of cities” - the political economy of linkages between urban places located unevenly in space - and, “cities as systems” - case studies of socio-cultural, political and economic relations within biophysical and built environments.
Lecture and discussion three hours a week.
Understanding Globalization
Geographical analysis of processes of globalization: theoretical frameworks, historical context and contemporary challenges.
Lecture three hours a week.
Geographies of Selected Regions
Geographical analysis of key questions facing a selected region of the world. Attention will focus on selected topics within one or more regions and their related global context.
Lecture three hours a week.
Topics in the Geography of Canada
Selected topic concerning the geography of Canada. Topic varies from year to year.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 1020 and second-year standing or permission of the Department.
Lecture three hours a week.
Regional Field Excursion
Guided and independent geographic field research, with a focus on data collection methods, and analysis and presentation of findings. Consists of an excursion outside of the Ottawa region. A supplementary charge may apply.
A 7-10 day field excursion.
Geomorphology
Geomorphological agents of landscape change at the Earth's surface, emphasizing the role of water, ice and wind in erosion and deposition; use of geomorphic indicators in studies of environmental change. A supplementary charge may apply.
Lectures two hours a week, laboratory two hours a week, one field excursion.
Watershed Hydrology
Principles of hydrology at local and watershed scales, emphasizing: soil moisture regimes; field data collection and analysis of surface water or snow and ice conditions; hydrologic processes in cold environments; and regional runoff regimes in Canada. A supplementary charge may apply.
Note: first-year mathematics and physics are recommended.
Lectures two hours a week, laboratory three hours a week, two field excursions, including a two-day excursion. Students are responsible for long-distance transportation, food and lodging costs associated with the field excursions.
Principles of Biogeography
Contemporary and past controls on distribution of plants and animals at global, regional and local scales; significance of these distributions.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 1010 or BIOL 2600, or permission of the Department.
Lectures, laboratory, and fieldwork five hours a week.
Climate and Atmospheric Change
The global climate system, with emphasis on global change variability over the historical and modern periods; the changing composition of the atmosphere and its impact on climate; analysis and interpretation of climatic and atmospheric data; modeling of climate systems.
Lecture two hours a week, laboratory two hours a week.
Soil Properties
The physical and chemical properties of soils; soil-water relationships, weathering processes, soil mineralogy, cation exchange, soil pH. A plant-oriented perspective predominates.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 1010 or GEOG 2013, or permission of the Department.
Lectures and laboratory five hours a week.
Health, Environment, and Society
Factors influencing human health in an ecological framework involving population structure, habitat, and behaviour. Changes in the distribution of communicable and degenerative diseases are portrayed as being related to historical and contemporary development and globalization processes. Sources, types and characteristics of geographically referenced health information.
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing.
Lectures three hours a week.
Sustainability and Environment in the South
Analysis of the relationships between people and environment in selected regions in the South (Africa, Asia, Latin America). Emphasis on sustainable livelihoods and local action in relation to broader socio-economic and political processes. Regions selected vary from year to year.
Lecture and discussion three hours a week.
Geographies of Economic Development
Geographical approaches to economic development and difference at local, regional and global scales. Critical historical, cultural, social and political economic perspectives on 'development', including theories of the state, colonial power, and development institutions. Spatial dynamics and environmental impacts of economic activity.
Northern Lands
The physical characteristics, historical geography, economic resources, settlement patterns and problems and the future development of Arctic and Subarctic lands, focusing primarily on Canada.
Lectures three hours a week.
Population Geography
The distributional aspects of population attributes; areal patterns of population characteristics and their spatial variations associated with differences in the nature of places; migratory movements within the framework of spatial models of interactions between locations.
Lectures three hours a week.
Geographic Thought and Methodology
Current debates in the academic discipline of geography; connections between these debates and key concepts used in the practice of geographic research; development of critical thinking, writing and presentation skills.
Lecture and discussion three hours a week.
Field Studies
Field observation and methodology in a selected region; individual or group basis.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Principles, scope and purpose of environmental impact assessment, from conceptual and methodological points of view; range of environmental issues, with emphasis on Canadian case studies.
Note: GEOG 3022 is recommended.
Lectures and seminars three hours a week.
Directed Studies in Geography
Students pursue their interest in a selected theme in geography on a tutorial basis with a member of the Department.
Precludes additional credit for GEOG 4001 and GEOG 4002 (either taken before 1998-99).
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing in Geography and permission of the Department.
Cold Region Hydrology
An examination of cold region hydrologic processes via experimental and observational studies; analysis of hydrologic data and application of hydrologic models.
Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Processes that control the fluxes and reservoirs of biologically active chemical constituents on land, in the atmosphere, and in the oceans. Interactions between biogeochemical cycles and the Earth's climate; impact of land use and fossil fuel emissions on biogeochemical cycles and global change.
Seminar in Culture, Identity and Place
Selected topic or field of inquiry concerning the geographic dimensions of culture, identity and place.
Seminar three hours a week.
Seminar in People, Resources and Environmental Change
A selected topic or field of inquiry concerning natural resource use and environmental change.
Seminar three hours a week.
Seminar in Sustainable Urban Environments
A selected topic or field of inquiry concerning urban geography.
Seminar three hours per week.
Seminar in Globalization
A selected issue or topic related to globalization.
Seminar three hours week.
New Directions in Human Geography
Selected contemporary debates in human geography.
Seminar three hours per week
Environmental and Geographic Education
Selected issues - theoretical and applied - concerning environmental and geographic education.
Seminar three hours per week.
Quaternary Geography
Changes in the physical environment of the Earth during the last two million years; methods of studying recent Earth history; the last ice age in Canada.
Lectures three hours a week.
Water Resources Engineering
A quantitative analysis of natural water systems and the development of these systems as a resource. Components of the hydrologic cycle. Quantitative analysis of stream flow. Probability concepts in water resources. Reservoir design and operation. Availability of groundwater. Storm water management.
Prerequisite(s): CIVE 3208 and MAAE 2300, or permission of the department.
Lectures three hours a week, problem analysis one hour a week.
Microclimatology
The formation of microclimates near the Earth's surface; energy and water flows; the interaction of atmospheric processes with the physical properties of surfaces.
Permafrost
Distribution, development, and degradation of permafrost in Canada; thermal and hydrologic regime of permafrost terrain; development of landforms in permafrost regions; geotechnical consideration in northern construction.
Urban Planning
A systematic approach to urban planning; urban sprawl; data collection; forecasting; standards; space requirements; land use; zoning; transportation; land development; site selection; land capability; layout; evaluation; housing; urban renewal and new towns.
Prerequisite(s): third-year registration, or permission of the Department.
Lectures three hours a week, problem analysis three hours alternate weeks.
Transportation Engineering and Planning
Transportation and the socio-economic environment; modal and intermodal systems and components; vehicle motion; human factors, system and facility design; traffic flow; capacity analysis; planning methodology; environmental impacts; evaluation methods.
Prerequisite(s): third-year registration, or permission of the Department.
Lectures three hours a week, problem analysis three hours alternate weeks.
Practicum I
Experience in an employment environment through field placement. Observation and involvement in issues and research methods used by professional geographers
May be taken for credit in addition to GEOG 4408.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing in Geography and permission of the Department.
Field placement one day a week.
Practicum II
Experience in an employment environment through field placement. Observation and involvement in issues and research methods used by professional geographers
May be taken for credit in addition to GEOG 4406.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing in Geography and permission of the Department.
Field placement of one day a week.
Honours Research Project
Candidates for B.Sc. with Honours in Geography undertake a research project based on a laboratory or field problem. The project is supervised by a member of the department and a written report must be submitted. The candidate may be examined orally on the report.
Precludes additional credit for GEOG 4904/GEOM 4904 (no longer offered), GEOG 4909/GEOM 4909, ENST 4906, and ENST 4907.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing in Geography.
Hours to be arranged.
Honours Research Essay
Independent design and implementation of a research project leading to the submission of a research thesis. Students work with an individual faculty adviser. The subject for research is decided upon in consultation with the supervisor.
Precludes additional credit for GEOG 4904/GEOM 4904 (no longer offered), GEOG 4906, GEOM 4909, ENST 4906, and ENST 4907.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing in Geography, a Geography CGPA of 9.00 or better, an approved research topic, and permission of the Honours supervisor.
Hours to be arranged with faculty adviser.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca