Students watch a large storm forming over a field.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • Major and honours: 4 years
    • Minor: 18 credit hours

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Honours
    • Major
    • Minor

  • The Physical Geography program at the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources gives you access to excellence

    • The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources is home to the Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility (SERF), the first experimental sea-ice facility in Canada.
    • "Severe Thunderstorms - Storm Chasing and Field Techniques" is the only storm and tornado chasing course in Canada.
    • Home to the Cretaceous Menagerie and geological sciences museum exhibiting minerals, fossils and dinosaurs.
  • A tornado developing in the sky above a cornfield.

Program details

Expected duration:

  • Major and honours: 4 years (120 credit hours)
  • Minor: 18 credit hours

Physical geography students choose from the following streams:

Atmospheric Science
In the broadest sense, this 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).

Geomatics
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.

General 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.

Sample course offerings

  • GEOG 1290: Introduction to Physical Geography
  • GEOG 2200: Introduction to Thematic Cartography
  • GEOG 2300: Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Clouds and Precipitation
  • GEOG 2310: Introduction to Process Hydrology
  • GEOG 3810: Quantitative Research Methods in Geography
  • GEOG 3730: Geographic Information Systems

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Co-operative education opportunities

Co-operative education is a structured educational program whereby students spend alternating periods in university and employment. Cooperative education opportunities are available to students registered in either the major or honours degree programs in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or Physical Geography.

Co-op allows students to:

  • Acquire theoretical knowledge and practical work experience
  • Focus your education, and select areas of specialization for choosing senior courses and selecting a focus area
  • Improve your professional development by engaging in networking opportunities and participating in conferences and workshops
  • Develop mentoring relationships with employers
  • Explore many career options without a long-term commitment
  • Help finance your education through relevant work experience
  • Create an impressive resume that sets you apart from other students
  • Develop workplace skills that provide you hands-on experience with the latest tools and equipment

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Direct entry applicants are those who have not attended a post-secondary institution or have completed fewer than 24 credit hours at a recognized university or college.

Advanced entry applicants are those who have completed one year (24 credit hours) or more of studies in another faculty at the University of Manitoba or another recognized post-secondary institution.

If you do not meet the requirements for direct or advanced entry, you can apply for admission to University 1, the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources or another program.

How to apply

Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $120

Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online. To begin your application, select the "Start or continue your application" button. The online application includes several parts, and you may be required to submit transcripts, proof of English Language proficiency, and other documents.

For guidance regarding how to minor in physical geography, talk to an academic advisor.

Apply now

Includes the Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geological Sciences and Physical Geography programs.

Includes Bachelor of Health Sciences and Bachelor of Health Studies programs.

Includes Bachelor of Science degrees in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agroecology, Food Science and Human Nutritional Sciences.

Direct entry students are current high school students or people who have already graduated from high school but who have completed fewer than 24 credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Advanced entry students are those who have already completed 24 or more credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Annual application deadlines - Canadian citizens & permanent residents

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October August 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September April 1

Annual application deadlines - International applicants

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October May 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May October 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September February 1

Start or continue your application 

Bachelor of Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Diploma in Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application for the BFA and diploma programs

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

To apply to the Inner City Social Work program, attend an information session at the William Norrie Centre. You will receive an application form at the information session. All information sessions are held in Room 126, William Norrie Centre.

Room 126 William Norrie Centre
485 Selkirk Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R2W 2M6 Canada
204-668-8160
Fax: 204-663-8857

All applicants need approval from the Faculty of Social Work – Inner City Selection Coordinator, Carla Kirkpatrick who can be reached at carla.kirkpatrick@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7364.

Admission requirements (PDF)

Annual application deadlines

Term Application deadline
Summer (May, part-time) February 1, 2024
Fall (September) March 1, 2024 

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October

January 15

Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)
Advanced entry Early November March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Program Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Bachelor of Environmental Design (BEnvD) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1
Environmental Design Architecture Master Preparation Option (ED AMP) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May/July) Advanced entry Early November June 1

Students who wish to enrol in Summer courses that start in May should apply by April 1.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

The Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualifications (IEEQ) program has been temporarily suspended until 2025
For further information or questions, please contact Engineering at eng.info@umanitoba.ca.

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry *Suspended *Suspended

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November August 1
Winter (January) Early May November 1
Summer (May) Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: July 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: March 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: March 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November June 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

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Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Summer (May) Advanced entry – Track A Early November April 1
Advanced entry – Track B Early April August 1

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Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Late August October 1

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Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Winnipeg annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

Winter (January)

Advanced entry

Domestic: Early May

International: Early February

Domestic: August 1

International: June 1

Summer (May) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July 

Domestic: December 1 Extended to December 15

International: October 1 Extended to December 15

 

The Pas and Thompson (UM/University College of the North) annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy: Degree Completion Program annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May September 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is available on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Type of applicant Type of entry Term Applications open Application deadline
First year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early September December 1
Upper year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early November June 30

Start or continue your application 

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November June 15

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and check their course availability prior to applying.

Applicants applying to the Summer term are recommended to apply a minimum of one month prior to the start of their classes. Summer session offers a number of different start dates based on course offerings.

Start or continue your application

 Annual direct entry application deadlines 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines 

 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November 

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November June 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early November February 1

Start or continue your application

The BPRN program has been placed on a temporary suspension starting for the Fall 2019 intake.

Access students

Annual application deadline
Term Application deadline
Fall (September) March 1

Application form for Access students (PDF)

External students

Annual application deadline
Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your external student application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 15

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Mailing address
Undergraduate Admissions
424 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
66 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

Office location
Room 424 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)

Submit a question
Phone: 204-474-8808
Toll-free: 1-800-224-7713 ext 8808

Program inquiries

Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
Room 440 Wallace Building
125 Dysart Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2

Riddell.Advisor@umanitoba.ca

Phone: 204-474-7252
Fax: 204-275-3147