Geography

Bachelor of Science

Introduction

Congratulations on being accepted into a Bachelor of Science degree program in the Faculty of Arts. You are embarking on an educational journey that will offer you the best of a broad liberal education with the ability to specialize in various fields of study.

Geography is the study of people, places and patterns on the Earth's surface. Students learn how to analyze the meaning of patterns formed on the Earth's surface by natural processes and human activity. Geographers apply these concepts and information to manage and use Earth's resources to advance human civilization in a sustainable manner. Geography has many facets, and undergraduates learn about all of them: human geography, physical geography, and techniques and methods. They also learn the basics of how to conduct research to answer the many unsolved questions in Geography. Because Geography is so broad in scope, geographers work in a wide variety of jobs. They are, above all, specialists in putting together information from a wide variety of disciplines to arrive at solutions to problems involving location and spatial relationships - such as planning (urban, transportation or tourism, for example), environmental impact, transportation or resource management.

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered as either a B.Sc., or B.Sc. (Honours), both requiring the completion of 120 units and normally four years of full-time study.

Courses required in your first year

1. You should choose two of the following: Biology 241 or 243, Chemistry 201 or 211, 203 or 213, Computer Science 217, 219, 231, 233; Data Science 201, 211; Physics 211 or 221, 223, 271; Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275. If you’re intending to complete the Honours degree in the Bachelor of Science you should choose four courses from this list and you may include Mathematics 267 as well.

Students who have not completed MATH 31 will need to register in Mathematics 249. Those who have completed MATH 31 will need to register in Mathematics 265 or 275.

Tip:
Remember to register for both fall and winter semesters at the same time.

For further information, please contact:
Telephone: 403.220.3580
Email: artsads@ucalgary.ca
Website: arts.ucalgary.ca/geography

Your Bachelor of Science degree means that you are a student in the Faculty of Arts.

The Faculty of Arts offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees programs. In general, your major refers to the subject area you’d like your Bachelor of Science degree to focus on (i.e. Bachelor of Arts, major in Geography). You can choose from several unique science-based programs within the Faculty of Arts. For detailed information on these programs, visit the website links below.

If you are coming to the University of Calgary with Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit, you will follow the same registration process as any first time university student. You may be eligible to use your transfer credit in your degree program depending on the program you have entered and whether or not the courses are applicable. Look for International Baccalaureate credit information here and Advanced Placement information here.

You may view your transfer credit by logging in to your online Student Centre. Once you know the transfer credit you have received, you may contact the academic advisor in your faculty to get advice on course selection.

Generally, students must complete 18 units at the junior (200-level) before they are allowed to register in 300-level courses. However, if you received IB or AP credit for a 200-level course, you may take the 300-level course that has your 200-level course listed as a prerequisite.

Co-op and Internship: Get a head start on your career through our co-operative education and internship opportunities. You will gain valuable work experience in your industry—all before you graduate.

Study Abroad: Experience different cultures, gain a better understanding of world issues, and travel around the globe, all while earning credit towards your degree. The University of Calgary offers exchanges and study abroad programs in 61 different countries.

Community Service-Learning: Combine your classroom learning with volunteer work that achieves community goals, and see first-hand how your academic learning relates to social issues.

Co-Curricular Record: The first of its kind in Western Canada, have your out-of-classroom experiences such as volunteer work, leadership training and club involvement documented on an official record.

Arts and Science Honours Academy: Be part of a unique program that combines collaborative study, global opportunities and academic challenge. The ASHA program brings together 25 like-minded high achieving students to learn and study in six distinct scholars courses. As an Arts and Science Honours Academy student, you will be one of a class of the best and brightest at the University of Calgary.