Bachelor of Science Physical Geography
What is Physical Geography?
Physical geography includes the study of the environment through aspects of atmospheric science, geomorphology, biogeography, and hydrology. All of which draw upon the natural and applied sciences to understand the natural environment. Atmospheric sciences examine the physical and biophysical processes at and near the earth’s surface shaping climate and determining the weather. These processes are examined over cascading scales, local to global.
Areas of Study
Atmospheric Science, in the broadest sense, is the study of the Earth's atmosphere (and other planetary atmospheres). The atmospheric science program in the Department of Environment and Geography mainly focuses on processes and phenomena associated with the Earth's troposphere (lowest portion of the atmosphere closest to the surface, where all weather occurs) with connections to the Earth's surface (heat, water, carbon dioxide transfers and other biophysical processes). The program offers undergraduates a range of career options in government, university, and private sectors requiring knowledge of the Earth's atmosphere.
Hydrology studies the flow of water between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere, including the quantity and quality of water resources as well as the spatial variability in the hydrologic cycle.
Geomorphology, is the examination of processes at the earth’s surface and the associated landforms. Various sub-disciplines in geomorphology include weathering and erosion processes, volcanoes, glacial and river systems.
Degrees Offered
B.Sc. - Major
The Major and Honours B.Sc. degree programs in Physical Geography serve students who desire advanced study in the academic subject matter of various themes contained within Physical Geography. The Honours program in particular is intended for students interested in the opportunity for exposure to advanced geographic research. As such, the Honours program demands higher academic performance. Students who are ineligible to enter Honours in their second year may establish this in the following year on the basis of their improved scholastic performance. The degree programs may be pursued on a full or part-time basis.
Minor in Another Department
Students in the B.Sc. Physical Geography have the opportunity to complete a Minor of 18 credit hours from a department offering this option at the University of Manitoba. Students are not permitted, however, to complete this Minor in the B.A. Geography. Students can declare only one Minor. The Minor requirements are described in section 3.3 of this Chapter. Contact the Faculty student advisor in the Faculty general office for further information about eligible Minors.
Streams
Students are required to complete a stream approved by the Faculty student advisor. Students in the Major or Major (Co-op) programs are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of 2000- (or higher) level courses, of which at least 18 credit hours must be at or above the 3000-level. The B.Sc. Honours and Honours (Co-op) programs require students to complete 39 credit hours in a Stream, of which at least 24 credit hours are defined at or above the 3000-level and must include GEOG 4660 Honours Thesis (6). Streams are currently available in Atmospheric and Hydrological Sciences, Geomatics and Physical Geography. See the department and/or Faculty student advisor for current information about these Streams.
Major
To qualify for the degree, Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography (Major), a student must complete 120 credit hours with passing grades (“D” or better) and a minimum degree grade point average of 2.00. Major (Co-op) students must attain a minimum degree Grade Point Average of 2.50. Students must complete all faculty requirements. There is no limit to the number of credit hours a student completes provided he/she does not exceed 18 credit hours of failed and/or repeated courses.
Honours
To qualify for the degree Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography (Honours and Honours Co-op), a student must complete 120 credit hours with passing grades (“D” or better) and a minimum degree grade point average of 3.00 in the courses that constitute the degree. Students must complete all faculty requirements. There is no limit to the number of credit hours a student completes provided he/she does not exceed 18 credit hours of failed and/or repeated courses.
Contact Information
For any additional information please contact a Student Advisor in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources . Student Advisors are located in the Dean's office, 440 Wallace Building. All students are advised to examine their interests and future goals carefully to make appropriate program choices.
Physical geography includes the study of the environment through aspects of atmospheric science, geomorphology, biogeography, and hydrology. All of which draw upon the natural and applied sciences to understand the natural environment. Atmospheric sciences examine the physical and biophysical processes at and near the earth’s surface shaping climate and determining the weather. These processes are examined over cascading scales, local to global.
Areas of Study
Atmospheric Science, in the broadest sense, is the study of the Earth's atmosphere (and other planetary atmospheres). The atmospheric science program in the Department of Environment and Geography mainly focuses on processes and phenomena associated with the Earth's troposphere (lowest portion of the atmosphere closest to the surface, where all weather occurs) with connections to the Earth's surface (heat, water, carbon dioxide transfers and other biophysical processes). The program offers undergraduates a range of career options in government, university, and private sectors requiring knowledge of the Earth's atmosphere.
Hydrology studies the flow of water between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere, including the quantity and quality of water resources as well as the spatial variability in the hydrologic cycle.
Geomorphology, is the examination of processes at the earth’s surface and the associated landforms. Various sub-disciplines in geomorphology include weathering and erosion processes, volcanoes, glacial and river systems.
Biogeography studies the interrelationships between the biospheric environment and the physical environment. Formation of soils, ecosystem and biome cycles and components, as well as human interaction with the physical environment are all topical areas in biogeography.
Geomatics is an emerging field referring to the techniques of spatial data acquisition, handling, and analysis. Included within this field have been geographic applications of computer analysis and spatial modeling, spatial statistics, remote sensing technology, and geographic information systems. Many of these techniques have their origins in the applied sciences, but both physical and human geographers have contributed greatly to their development and application. The application of such methodologies in geographic fields, such as resource management, urban geography, climate change, and applied geography has also provided closer co-operation between human and physical geography, as well as promoting considerable interdisciplinary research with other University disciplines.Degrees Offered
B.Sc. - Major
- Minimum time to graduation: Four years (University 1, plus three years).
- There is no time limit to complete the degree.
- Minimum time to graduation: Four years (University 1, plus three years).
- There is no time limit to complete the degree. Participation in the Coop
- Option may extend the degree by an additional year.
- Minimum time to graduation: Four years (University 1, plus three years).
- There is no time limit to complete the degree.
- Minimum time to graduation: Four years (University 1, plus three years).
- There is no time limit to complete the degree. Participation in the Coop
- Option may extend the degree by an additional year.
The Major and Honours B.Sc. degree programs in Physical Geography serve students who desire advanced study in the academic subject matter of various themes contained within Physical Geography. The Honours program in particular is intended for students interested in the opportunity for exposure to advanced geographic research. As such, the Honours program demands higher academic performance. Students who are ineligible to enter Honours in their second year may establish this in the following year on the basis of their improved scholastic performance. The degree programs may be pursued on a full or part-time basis.
Minor in Another Department
Students in the B.Sc. Physical Geography have the opportunity to complete a Minor of 18 credit hours from a department offering this option at the University of Manitoba. Students are not permitted, however, to complete this Minor in the B.A. Geography. Students can declare only one Minor. The Minor requirements are described in section 3.3 of this Chapter. Contact the Faculty student advisor in the Faculty general office for further information about eligible Minors.
Streams
Students are required to complete a stream approved by the Faculty student advisor. Students in the Major or Major (Co-op) programs are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of 2000- (or higher) level courses, of which at least 18 credit hours must be at or above the 3000-level. The B.Sc. Honours and Honours (Co-op) programs require students to complete 39 credit hours in a Stream, of which at least 24 credit hours are defined at or above the 3000-level and must include GEOG 4660 Honours Thesis (6). Streams are currently available in Atmospheric and Hydrological Sciences, Geomatics and Physical Geography. See the department and/or Faculty student advisor for current information about these Streams.
Major
To qualify for the degree, Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography (Major), a student must complete 120 credit hours with passing grades (“D” or better) and a minimum degree grade point average of 2.00. Major (Co-op) students must attain a minimum degree Grade Point Average of 2.50. Students must complete all faculty requirements. There is no limit to the number of credit hours a student completes provided he/she does not exceed 18 credit hours of failed and/or repeated courses.
Honours
To qualify for the degree Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography (Honours and Honours Co-op), a student must complete 120 credit hours with passing grades (“D” or better) and a minimum degree grade point average of 3.00 in the courses that constitute the degree. Students must complete all faculty requirements. There is no limit to the number of credit hours a student completes provided he/she does not exceed 18 credit hours of failed and/or repeated courses.
Contact Information
For any additional information please contact a Student Advisor in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources . Student Advisors are located in the Dean's office, 440 Wallace Building. All students are advised to examine their interests and future goals carefully to make appropriate program choices.
Co-operative Education Option
A Co-operative Education Option is available to students registered in either the Major or Honours degree programs in Physical Geography. Co-op is an arrangement whereby students spend alternating periods in university and employment. There are several advantages to a cooperative education program for students. One benefit is that students are able to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This experience assists them in selecting areas of specialization for their senior courses in their chosen Stream. As well, Co-op assists students in their professional development by enhancing networking opportunities, participation in conferences and workshops and provides the foundation of skills and strategies required in searching and acquiring employment after graduation. Students can also defray some of the costs of their university education through these work term placements. Further information about Co-operative Education and student eligibility is available from the Faculty student advisor available in the Faculty general office.
Students electing to participate in the Co-operative Education Option will be assessed a program fee with their formal admission into the program. Once a student has accepted a position with a Co-op employer, no portion of the program fee will normally be refunded.
The Co-operative Education Option consists of two employment work terms, each over a minimum period of four months, and contributes 6 credit hours towards the four year degree program. Students complete ENVR 2900 Professional Development 1 (1.5), ENVR 3900 Professional Development 2 (1.5), work term placements ENVR 3980 Work Term 1 (0), ENVR 3990 Work Term 2 (0), and the work term report courses ENVR 3910 Work Term Report 1 (1.5) and ENVR 3920 Work Term Report 2 (1.5).
Additional work terms are available to interested students. Each academic term and each employment term commence in January, May or September. While on an employment term, a Co-operative Education Option student is not permitted to take more than three additional credit hours of academic work outside of the requirements of the Co-op placement without permission of the Faculty Student Advisor.
A Co-operative Education Option is available to students registered in either the Major or Honours degree programs in Physical Geography. Co-op is an arrangement whereby students spend alternating periods in university and employment. There are several advantages to a cooperative education program for students. One benefit is that students are able to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This experience assists them in selecting areas of specialization for their senior courses in their chosen Stream. As well, Co-op assists students in their professional development by enhancing networking opportunities, participation in conferences and workshops and provides the foundation of skills and strategies required in searching and acquiring employment after graduation. Students can also defray some of the costs of their university education through these work term placements. Further information about Co-operative Education and student eligibility is available from the Faculty student advisor available in the Faculty general office.
Students electing to participate in the Co-operative Education Option will be assessed a program fee with their formal admission into the program. Once a student has accepted a position with a Co-op employer, no portion of the program fee will normally be refunded.
The Co-operative Education Option consists of two employment work terms, each over a minimum period of four months, and contributes 6 credit hours towards the four year degree program. Students complete ENVR 2900 Professional Development 1 (1.5), ENVR 3900 Professional Development 2 (1.5), work term placements ENVR 3980 Work Term 1 (0), ENVR 3990 Work Term 2 (0), and the work term report courses ENVR 3910 Work Term Report 1 (1.5) and ENVR 3920 Work Term Report 2 (1.5).
Additional work terms are available to interested students. Each academic term and each employment term commence in January, May or September. While on an employment term, a Co-operative Education Option student is not permitted to take more than three additional credit hours of academic work outside of the requirements of the Co-op placement without permission of the Faculty Student Advisor.