Geography and Environmental Management

Join the movement, meet the moment.

Explore how people shape the planet we live on. Delve into the dynamics of the Earth’s physical systems. Help solve many of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, water scarcity, resource management, global population growth, natural resource sustainability, and more.

Ranked 5th in Canada for research and reputation (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024), Waterloo's Geography and Environmental Management department is one of Canada's largest. Follow us on Instagram to learn about our 70+ geography courses, including lots of field studies, as well as gaining paid work experience through co-op.

Use the program's flexibility to focus your degree with specializations and options or even add another major. You’ll quickly connect with other students in the Faculty of Environment’s welcoming and close-knit community.

What courses will you take in Geography and Environmental Management?

First-year courses

During your first year, you'll take a combination of geography and environmental studies courses.

In your upper years, about half of the classes you'll take will be in geography.

September to December

GEOG 100 – On Becoming a Geographer
GEOG 101 – Human Geographies: People, Space and Change
ENVS 178 – Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
One elective

Plus choose one from or an elective

ENGL 109 – Introduction to Academic Writing
ENGL 129R - Written Academic English

January to April

GEOG 102 – Global Environmental Systems: Processes and Change
GEOG 181 – Designing Effective Maps
ENVS 278 – Applied Statistics for Environmental Research
One elective

Plus, if not taken in September, one of the following or an elective

ENGL 109 – Introduction to Academic Writing
ENGL 129R - Written Academic English

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

About half of the classes you’ll take will be Geography courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

View a list of all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

GEOG 207 – Climate Change Fundamentals
GEOG 281 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GEOG 391 – Field Research
GEOG 430C – Field Research in Regional Geography

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the areas of focus within the program.

Aviation
Climate Change and Environment
Earth Systems Science
Economy and Society
Geomatics

You can also choose one of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

Faculty:
Faculty of Environment

Degree:
Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Geography and Environmental Management

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
Yes

30+ possible minors. Include additional interests and skills by adding one of more than 30 minors to your degree. Or do a double major. Or add an option. So go ahead: customize your degree to your interests!

Study in Asia or the Canadian Arctic. Gain experience with environmental issues around the world through field studies in the Arctic or in countries such as Nepal or Indonesia.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!

Sample co-op job titles

Aquatic research technician
Forester/forest technician
Agroclimate analyst
GIS technician

Habitat data officer
Lakewide management support
Sustainability projects coordinator

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Co-op	Study
Third	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fourth	Study	Co-op	Study
Fifth	Co-op	Study	-

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a geography degree?

Graduates often work in conservancy, education, government, business, non-profits, and consulting.

Conservation Technician — Nature Conservancy of Canada
Planner, Parks Recreation — Monteith Brown Planning Consultant
Geographic Information System Technician — Algonquin Power Utilities
Aquatic Specialist — Wood Environment Infrastructure Solutions
Research Associate — Environics Analytics Group
Junior Environmental Scientist — BluMetric Environmental
Environmental Planner — Ministry of Transportation, Ontario

Learn about the future of careers in environment, sustainability, and geography

Tuition fees for programs in the Faculty of Environment

First-year tuition

Type of fees	Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents)	$9,000
Domestic (Out of province students)	$9,000
International (visa students)	$50,000

Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

"I really like the small class sizes — and the flexibility to customize your degree with specializations, minors, or another major. Plus, the field opportunities in Canada and internationally teach you many different things about geography in real life. " Lawrence, fourth-year Geography and Environmental Management student

"I really like the degree of customization available. I was given foundational skills, but also freedom to follow my interests. Through courses, co-op, and clubs, I found connections between ideas that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. " Devon, fourth-year Geography and Environmental Management co-op student

"Geography and Environmental Management is great for anyone passionate about earth sciences and world issues. By incorporating a variety of specialization, you can focus on a specific area of geography or combine interests to form a unique degree." Farah, second-year Geography and Environmental Management student

"My geography classes are about the same size as in high school, making them feel tight-knit and easing the transition into university. I made friends through my classes and found an instantaneous support network I’ve carried with me in my studies." Simon, third-year Geography and Environmental Management student

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Admission average: High 70s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

Related programs

Geography and Aviation

Geomatics

Environment, Resources and Sustainability

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact Shannon Cary, our Faculty of Environment recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.