Geography
Geographers look at how we impact the natural world and how it impacts us. In this program you’ll learn to address problems using these approaches:
- physical science
- social science
- humanities
Potential careers
What can you do with a geography degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:
- spatial data or remote sensing analyst
- geographic information system (GIS) technician
- sustainability coordinator
- environmental impact assessment officer
- fishery conservation officer
- environmental technician
- energy conservation officer
- urban planner
- development consultant
- policy analyst
- emergency management planner
- research statistician
- education program coordinator
- real estate appraiser
- event and communications coordinator
- international relations
- community engagement coordinator
- resource manager
- cartographer
- mining researcher
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the geography program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to geography:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the geography program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Community-service learning
GEOG 391 - Topics in Geography
(variable course topics)
SOSC 300 - Working in the Community
Volunteer with a community organization (40 hours) and explore course concepts
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Field experience
GEOG 103 - Introduction to Physical Geography
Conduct outdoor labs or attend local field trips
GEOG 209 - Introduction to Environmental Management
Learn about local environmental management practice through field trips
GEOG 252 - Introduction to Coastal Geography
Visit coastal areas to learn about the environment and communities
GEOG 340 - Cities and Planning
Examine the history of urban planning and contemporary issues in urban geography
GEOG 353 - Coastal and Marine Management
Examine threats, opportunities and conflicts in coastal areas
GEOG 357 - Parks and Protected Areas
Visit national and provincial park systems to investigate underlying concepts
GEOG 376 - Process Geomorphology
Conduct outdoor labs or attend local field trips
GEOG 380 - Community Mapping
Examine the theory and practice of community-based mapping
GEOG 406 - Sustainable Cities
Visit sustainable development projects such as Dockside Green
GEOG 407 - Activism and Community-Based Planning
Take part as an activist in community planning in an urban setting
GEOG 420 - Field Studies in Coastal Geomatics
Apply geomatics techniques in marine and coastal areas
GEOG 424 - Field Studies in Coastal Geomorphology
Visit local beaches, estuaries and dunes while conducting a major research project
GEOG 438 - Aquaculture in British Columbia
Visit aquaculture sites as part of an introduction to BC’s aquaculture industry
GEOG 476 - Advanced Studies in Geomorphology
Complete a major research project based on geomorphology fieldwork
Field school
GEOG 347B - Geographies of Development
GEOG 391 - Topics in Geography
(international experience and variable course topics)
Examine development theories during field school in India
GEOG 388 - Topics in Regional Studies
GOEG 391 - Topics in Geography
(international experience and variable course topics)
Learn about sustainability at field schools in the Cascadia region or Northern Europe
GEOG 424 - Field Studies in Coastal Geomorphology
(variable course topics)
GOEG 457 - Marine Protected Areas
GEOG 474 - Field Studies in Biogeography
Take part in a coastal geography field school
GEOG 453 - Field Studies in Coastal and Marine Management
(involves engagement with Indigenous communities)
Learn about wildlife, fish and medicinal resources in Hakai Field School
GEOG 477 - Field Studies in Physical Geography
(involves engagement with Indigenous communities)
Study the physical geography and mountain geomorphology of the Rogers Pass area
Professional and technical skill development
GEOG 101A - Environment, Society and Sustainability
GEOG 101B - Space, Place and Society
Develop vegetation and landscape surveying skills
GEOG 306 - Geography of Canada
Lean to write and publish an op-ed on a Canadian issue in a local newspaper
GEOG 309 - Geography of British Columbia
Produce digital stories for the regional Green Map
GEOG 319 - Remote Sensing of the Environment using Passive Sensors
Gain experience with remote sensing and electromagnetic propagation
GEOG 322 - Digital Remote Sensing of the Environment using Active Sensors
Analyze and use digital remotely sensed data with image analysis software
GEOG 323 - Cartography
Gain practical experience in designing and drafting using design software
GEOG 325 - Field Surveying
Learn about differential leveling, traversing, tachometry, GPS and their applications to field work
GEOG 328 - GIS Analysis
Develop analytical skills for digital mapping and modelling
GEOG 329 - GIS Applications and Tools
Gain experience with GIS technology related to modelling
GEOG 373 - Applied Climatology
Learn to use a wildfire modelling system
GEOG 376 - Process Geomorphology
Learn advanced analytical techniques used in geomorphology research
GEOG 418 - Advanced Spatial Analysis and Geo-statistics
Develop skills in geostatistics, spatial analysis and landscape ecology
GEOG 422 - Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing
Develop advanced skills in remote sensing
GEOG 424 - Field Studies in Coastal Geomorphology
Learn to use field GIS, stratigraphic methods, air photo analysis and aerial datasets
GEOG 428 - Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Sciences
Examine contemporary research topics
GEOG 484 - Advanced Studies in Weather and Climate
Gain experience with weather monitoring equipment
Research project
GEOG 499A - Honours Thesis
GOEG 499B - Honours Thesis
Research, write and orally defend a graduating honours thesis
Work experience
Work experience work terms
Take part in a modified co-op program requiring one or two work experiences
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the geography program.
Knowledge
- understand the major concepts, approaches, perspective and findings in geography
- understand the major areas of study in geography (human and physical) and the relationships between them
- understand the environmental, cultural, political, and economic factors that shape cities, regions and the global system
- understand the nature of change within human and physical environments
- apply spatial knowledge to issues confronting society
Physical geography
- understand how biogeography, climatology and geomorphology contribute to the study of the physical environment
- understand the natural forces that affect weather, the ocean and the earth
- understand the processes of water movement in the hydrologic cycle
- analyze the spatial organization of biotic systems
- study physical landscapes
- apply your knowledge of the physical environment to resource management, planning, and conservation
Human geography
- understand how cultural geography, economic geography, urban geography and international development contribute to the study of the human landscape
- understand the spatial patterns of economic activity, cultural groups, social issues and international well-being
- understand the processes that influence the economic, cultural and political development of nations
- apply your knowledge of life in cities to the planning of the urban landscape
- consider the complexity of forces that shape the human landscape
Research methods
- use qualitative and quantitative methods in geography to interpret physical and human landscapes
- understand basic qualitative and quantitative methods and their links to statistical analysis
- use geomatics (geographical information systems, air photo interpretation and remote sensing)
- do field work, archival research and interviewing