Geography University of Northern British Columbia

Overview

The Geography programme at the University of Northern British Columbia provides a comprehensive bridge between physical and human sciences. Students investigate the complex relationships between societies and their natural environments through diverse academic lenses.

The Bachelor of Arts stream focuses on human geography, examining the social, political, and economic connections that define our world. It places a significant emphasis on social justice, population health, and community development within northern contexts.

The Bachelor of Science pathway treats the subject as an earth science, focusing on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Students gain technical expertise in climatology, hydrology, and geomorphology to understand environmental changes and natural processes.

Why Geography at the University of Northern British Columbia?

The institution is home to dedicated research chairs in Rural and Small Town Studies and the Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Change. These leadership roles ensure that the curriculum remains at the forefront of contemporary geographic research and global environmental issues.

Students benefit from specialised facilities including dedicated GIS laboratories and a focus on northern environments. The programme offers distinctive teaching features such as field schools that provide hands-on experience in diverse terrains from mountains to rural communities.

The university maintains strong links with the Northern Sport Centre and various research institutes, enhancing the interdisciplinary nature of the study. This collaborative environment supports a deep understanding of both natural systems and human place-making dynamics.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 963 per credit
• National fee: CAD 204 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Lower-Division Requirements

• Planet Earth
• Earth from Above
• British Columbia: People and Places
• Canada: Places, Cultures, and Identities
• GIS
• Earth Science
• Basic Statistics
• Resources, Economies, and Sustainability
• Cartography and Geomatics
• Social Geography
• Migration and Development
• Natural Hazards
• World Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean
• World Regions: Inuit Nunangat
• Global Environmental Change
• Weather and Climate
• Soil Science
• Environmental and Geospatial Data Analysis

Upper-Division Requirements

• Intermediate GIS
• Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making
• Critical Development Geographies
• Changing Arctic: Human and Environmental Systems
• Health Geography
• Community Development
• Community-Based Research
• Geography Field School
• Remote Sensing
• Hydrology
• Watershed Geomorphology
• Earth's Critical Zone
• Tenure, Conflict, and Resource Geography
• Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience
• Advanced GIS
• Mountains
• Environmental Justice
• Northern Communities
• Geographies of Culture, Rights and Power
• Fluvial Geomorphology
• Glacial Geology
• Advanced Geospatial Analysis
• Advanced Remote Sensing

Careers with Geography

Graduates are well-positioned for professional roles in environmental consulting firms and various government agencies. The programme develops technical competencies highly sought after for careers in geographic data processing and resource management.

Potential career paths include roles in urban and community planning, environmental impact assessment, and geospatial analysis. The diverse training also prepares students for positions in public administration, social policy, and international development sectors.