Geography: Bachelor of Arts Minor
Description
The Minor in Geography aims to provide a coherent focus on the interconnection between the social world and the natural world.
In the first two years of the program, students take courses that introduce the main sub-fields in human and physical geography, a course in data analysis or GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and a course in regional geography. There are requirements for courses in English, in other disciplines and quantitative courses.
At the end of year two, students who have completed the appropriate courses will qualify for an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science in Geography. The end of year two is when most students officially declare their minor in geography at Kwantlen in order to pursue years three and four of Kwantlen’s BA programs. Students may also transfer into the third year of a BA or BSc major in geography at other universities.
In year three of the BA Minor in Geography, courses focus on the integration of physical and human geography, further sub-areas of human geography, and in research methods or geographic theory. Year four entails more advanced courses in applied geography, and the courses in methods or theory not taken in year three. Students may also choose to undertake a Senior Project.
Career Opportunities
Studying geography can lead to a wide range of careers in fields like urban and regional planning, geotechnical engineering, retail market planning, environmental consulting, meteorology, First Nations governance, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and international development. Geography also provides a versatile background for professional programs like teaching, law, engineering and business.
The BA minor in Geography at Kwantlen is most likely to be paired with a minor in areas like History, Sociology, English and Mathematics. Such combinations may lead towards a geography-related career, a teaching degree or an advanced degree program. Other fruitful pairings would be with disciplines that also employ GIS, such as Anthropology, Business and Criminology.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to Kwantlen’s General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
Year One Admission:
- Grade of 'B' in English 12 (or equivalent)
- Grade of 'C' in either Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12 (or equivalent).
Year Three Admission:
- 60 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (including all 1100- and 2000-level major/minor program requirements).
- Grade of 'C' in all required 1000-and 2000-level courses, including the English writing requirement (ENGL 1100 and one of either ENGL 1202 or 1204, or equivalent).
- Two Quantitative courses.
- 12 credits of breadth courses
- Grade of 'C' in either Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12 (or equivalent).
- Second language at the Grade 11 level or 6 credits of post-secondary language courses in the same language. Note: Students need only achieve a passing grade to fulfill this requirement. Beginner's or Introductory Language 11 courses are ineligible to meet this requirement. Students who can demonstrate competency in a second language may request an assessment to have this requirement waived.
Qualifying Year
Students who do not qualify upon initial application to Kwantlen may be eligible for entry to the Qualifying Year. Students who possess at least a 'C' in English 12 (or equivalent) and a passing grade in Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12 will be able to apply for entry to the BA Qualifying Year. Students will be admitted to the BA program in the second year provided they have successfully completed appropriate qualifying courses. Other applicants who do not qualify are encouraged to consult an Educational Advisor for the appropriate qualifying courses that satisfy the application criteria.
Program Continuance Requirements
Current BA students must meet the following requirements to continue into their 3rd year of study. Registration access to third or fourth year courses is first awarded to students who have completed the following:- 60 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (including all 1100- and 2000-level major/minor program requirements).
- Grade of 'C' in all required 1000-and 2000-level courses, including the English writing requirement (ENGL 1100 and one of either ENGL 1202 or 1204, or equivalent).
- Two Quantitative courses.
- 12 credits of breadth courses
- Second language at the Grade 11 level or 6 credits of post-secondary language courses in the same language. Note: Students need only achieve a passing grade to fulfill this requirement. Beginner's or Introductory Language 11 courses are ineligible to meet this requirement. Students who can demonstrate competency in a second language may request an assessment to have this requirement waived.
Content
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete all requirements in the Bachelor of Arts framework in addition to their major or minor program requirements. Completing the BA Minor entails additional courses in other disciplines, quantitative courses and evidence of language proficiency. Of the 120 credits required, 45 credits must be in upper level courses.
Geography Minor
1000 Level
Students are required to complete the following three geography courses: |
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| GEOG 1101 | Introduction to Geography | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 1110 | Introduction to the Atmosphere | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 1120 | Introduction to Earth Science | 3 credits | |
Other geography courses can be taken as electives: |
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| GEOG 1130 | Human Impacts on Canadian Environments | 3 credits | |
| GEOL 1210 | Our Changing Earth | 3 credits | |
2000 Level
Students are required to complete one course from each of the following categories: |
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| Human Geography | |||
| GEOG 2120 | Economic Geography | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2130 | Social and Cultural Geography | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2250 | Urban Geography | 3 credits | |
| Physical Geography: | |||
| GEOG 2310 | Climatology | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2320 | Geomorphology | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2330 | Introduction to Hydrology | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2340 | Biogeography | 3 credits | |
| Analytical Techniques: | |||
| GEOG 2390 | Geographic Information and Data Analysis | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2400 | Introduction to GIS | 3 credits | |
| Regional geography: | |||
| GEOG 1160 | Regional Geography of BC | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2140 | Regional Geography of Canada | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2185 | Regional Geography of East Asia | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2190 | Regional Geography of South Asia | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2170 | Regional Geography of Europe | 3 credits | |
| Other geography courses can be taken as electives: | |||
| GEOG 2395 | Cartographic Techniques | 3 credits | |
3000 and 4000 Level
Students are required to complete 15 credits at the 3000 and 4000 level according to the following: |
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| One of Geographic Theory and Methods: | |||
| GEOG 3100 | Research Methods in Human Geography. | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 3260 | Geographic Theory | 3 credits | |
| One of Further Human Geography Specializations: | |||
| GEOG 3210 | Geography of Cultures | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 3220 | Political Geography | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 3240 | Development and Globalization | 3 credits | |
| Two of Integration of Human and Physical Geography: | |||
| GEOG 3310 | Natural Hazards | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 3320 | Resource Management | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 4350 | Global Climate Change | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 4380 | Applications in GIS | 3 credits | |
| One of Further and Advanced Topics: | |||
| GEOG 4501 | Special Topics in Geography | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 4599 | Directed Studies | 3 credits | |
Graduation
Upon successful completion of the minor program, students are eligible to receive a Minor in Geography as part of a Bachelor of Arts program.
