Geography and Environmental Management

Think big. Make the world your classroom.

A student in the Geography and Environmental Management program at the University of Waterloo.

Geography and Environmental Management allowed Cassandra to embark on an Arctic adventure. She participated in a comprehensive study of the north, exploring interconnections between the human and physical environment while analyzing the impacts of climate change. Photo credit: Jeff Topham, One Ocean Expeditions

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.

Waterloo's Geography and Environmental Management department is one of Canada's largest and is ranked 39 in the world for research and reputation (QS Subject Rankings 2019, Shanghai World Rankings 2020). Choose from more than 70 geography courses, including lots of field studies, and maybe even take the opportunity to gain paid work experience through co-op.

Geography offers the flexibility to focus your degree with a variety of 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. And when you graduate, your degree can take you literally anywhere around the globe.

Trophy Top 5 in Canada for Geography (2019 QS World University Rankings)

BreifCase Available as a regular or co-op program

Graduation Cap Earn a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree

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 averages: Low 80s

Complete the Admission Information Form once you've applied.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

A student in the geography degree program reads a travel guide at a table outside

Geography and Environmental Management was the perfect option for Sam to explore her interests in travel, culture, and global issues.

Get tips from Waterloo students

Monthly topics include how to choose a university program, tips for a successful senior year of high school, and more.

Questions? Ask a student!

Contact an Environment student ambassador to learn about their experience.

Ask them questions such as why they chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.

First-year courses and beyond

September to December

GEOG 100 - On Becoming a Geographer
GEOG 101 - Human Geographies: People, Space and Change
GEOG 181 - Designing Effective Maps
ENVS 178 - Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
One elective

January to April

GEOG 102 - Global Environmental Systems: Processes and Change
ENVS 278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research
ENGL 109 - Introduction to Academic Writing -- OR -- ENGL 129R - Written Academic English
Two electives

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.

You'll also have the opportunity to take classes with integrated field course components. Read about Cassandra's Arctic adventure and how she experienced climate change fist hand on our Beyond Ideas website.

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

Sample upper-year courses

GEOG 207 – Climate Change Fundamentals
GEOG 303 – Physical Hydrology
GEOG 306 – Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards
GEOG 361 – Food Systems and Sustainability

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

Aquatic research technician
Forester/forest technician
Agroclimate analyst
GIS technician
Habitat data officer
Lakewide management support
Sustainability projects coordinator

Sample co-op employers

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Norfolk County
The Weather Network
BlackBerry
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Ontario Power Generation Inc.
CLEAResult

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the areas of focus in Geography and Environmental Management.

Climate Change and Environment
Earth Systems Science
Economy and Society
Geomatics

You can also choose one of the minors available to all Waterloo students, such as Tourism.

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

Click Apply directly to this program on your application

Offered by the Faculty of Environment

book Available as a major and a minor

"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 specializations, 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