Graduate Calendar Archives: 2007 / 2008

Loeb Building B349
Telephone: 613-520-2561
Fax: 613-520-4301
Email: grad_geog@carleton.ca
Web site: carleton.ca/geography

The Department

Chair of the Department: Michael Brklacich
Departmental Supervisor of Graduate Studies: Doug King

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers programs of study and research in human and physical geography leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy.

The Department views the greatest strength of geography, as a discipline, as its ability to integrate and apply knowledge across the interface of the Earth's social and environmental systems. The structure of the Ph.D. program expresses this philosophy. Masters students may follow this approach or pursue studies in a thematic sub-field of the discipline.

Students are accepted into the graduate program based on the standard of previous academic work, research interests, letters of reference, and the availability of faculty to act as supervisors. Each student's program of study, as far as possible, is based on the interests of the individual, although certain courses may be required. An advisory committee, consisting of the student's research supervisor and at least one (Masters) or two (Ph.D.) other members of the faculty, is established to monitor progress and provide thesis research guidance.

Excellent research laboratory facilities exist for the study of near surface processes, the physics, chemistry, and thermodynamics of earth materials, and for geomatics (GIS, remote sensing, and computer cartography). These facilities are supported by highly qualified full-time staff in laboratory instrumentation, geomatics, and computing. The Maps, Data and Government Information Centre in the MacOdrum Library houses an extensive collection of cartographic resources, including imagery and digital products. The university's location in Canada's capital city offers students access to important federal resources, such as the National Library, the Public Archives of Canada, the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Statistics Canada, and the specialist libraries of many government departments.

Systematic interests of Departmental members are applied to a variety of world regions, although emphasis is given to Canada (including northern studies) and the developing world. Individual faculty research interests are posted on our Web site carleton.ca/geography. The interacting and overlapping clusters of research specialization within the Department are the following:

Physical Geography

Studies of natural and anthropogenic processes close to the earth's surface and their geotechnical significance; climate-ground interaction; geocryology; soils and sediments; vegetation structure and health; biogeography; Quaternary studies; karst.

Resource Development

Identification and analysis of development processes; the interplay of environmental, demographic, social, gender, political, and economic variables in the spatial development of land resources, settlement systems, and natural resource-based industries; environmental impact assessment and environmental management.

Cultural, Historical, and Political Geography

Rural and urban settlement history; ethnicity; territorial organization and the concepts of state, group politico-territorial identities, territoriality, and self-determination; role of territory in conflict situations; perceptions of environment and geographies of the mind; gender as a cultural variable; urban heritage conservation.

Social and Economic Geography

Geographical analyses of the social and economic organization of societies; area variations in social well-being; medical geography; provision of public and informal services in changing local and regional environments; implications of gender roles; industrial systems; philosophy of science and of geography.

Geomatics

Vegetation modeling, mapping, and monitoring using remote sensing and environmental data; environmental modeling of vegetated ecosystems in response to climate change; cybercartography and electronic atlas development; and applications of geomatics in the various thematic fields listed above.

Qualifying-Year Program

Applicants with exceptional promise who have a general (three-year) bachelor's degree, or who have substantially less than an Honours degree in Geography, may be admitted to a qualifying-year program. To be considered for admission into the master's program, qualifying-year students must attain at least B+ standing in their qualifying-year geography courses. See the General Regulations section of this Calendar for details about the the qualifying year.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

The requirement for admission into the master's program is a B.A.(Honours) or B.Sc. (Honours) in Geography or a related discipline, with at least B+ standing. In exceptional cases, pertinent work experience may be considered in support of an application to the Department. Students entering the program from other disciplines or with academic deficiencies may be required to take additional courses.

Program Requirements

The specific program requirements of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies are:

5.0 credits, which must include:

• One of GEOG 5000 or GEOG 5001
• M.A. thesis (2.5 credits) which must be defended at an oral examination
• GEOG 5905 - Masters Research Workshop
• 1.5 other credits
• All students are required to have a reading knowledge of the language considered essential to their research.

In addition to the formal requirements, M.A. students are required to attend the Departmental Seminar series, and the Graduate Field Camp.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission into the M.Sc. program in Geography is a B.Sc. (Honours) or B.A. (Honours) in Physical Geography or a related discipline, with at least B+ standing. Students entering the program from other disciplines or with academic deficiencies may be required to take additional courses. The intended research area must be eligible for NSERC support. Applicants for admission must provide an outline of their proposed project, which must be suitable for the M.Sc. program.

Program Requirements

The specific minimum program requirements are:

5.0 credits, which must include:

• GEOG 5001 Modeling Environmental Systems
• GEOG 5905 Masters Research Workshop
• GEOG 5906 M.Sc. Thesis (2.5 credits) which must be defended at an oral examination
• 1.0 credit in Physical Geography selected from:
  GEOG 5103, GEOG 5104, GEOG 5107 GEOG 5303, GEOG 5307, GEOG 5800 GEOG 5803, GEOG 5804, GEOG 5900 GEOG 4004, GEOG 4101, GEOG 4103 GEOG 4104, GEOG 4108, GEOG 4109, GEOM 4003, GEOM 4008 or from courses offered by departments in the Faculty of Science.
• 0.5 credit free elective

Only 0.5 credit towards the program may be obtained in GEOG 5900 - Graduate Tutorial. Tutorials given by the thesis supervisor will not count for credit towards the M.Sc. Only 0.5 credit may be obtained at 4000 level.

In addition to the formal requirements, M.Sc. students are required to attend the Departmental Seminar Series, and the Graduate Field Camp.

Doctor of Philosophy

The doctoral program in geography is structured around two fields:

• the geography of societal change with emphasis on the global political economy; restructuring and the environment; geographies of socio-cultural evaluation; feminist geographies
• the geography of environmental change with emphasis on environmental processes and anthropogenic impacts; appraisal and societal management of environmental resources

Students in each field are required to complete GEOG 6000/GEOG 6001, which addresses substantive and methodological issues arising out of the interactions of social and environmental systems. Every student's thesis committee will include at least one faculty member from the field other than the chosen field.

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission to the Ph.D. program is a master's degree (or the equivalent) in geography, with at least an A- average. A student already registered in the M.A. or M.Sc. program who shows outstanding academic performance and research promise may be permitted to transfer to the Ph.D. program with a recommendation by the Departmental graduate committee.

Applicants whose academic preparation has deficiencies in certain areas may be admitted to the Ph.D. program with the requirement that they complete additional course work.

Admission to the Ph.D. program is granted on a full-time basis in September for the fall term.

Program Requirements

Program requirements for the Ph.D. degree are outlined in the General Regulations section of this Calendar. The specific program requirements of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies are:

• 10.0 credits
• GEOG 6000/GEOG 6001
• Either GEOG 6003/GEOG 6004 or GEOG 6006/GEOG 6007
• Two written comprehensive examinations including GEOG 6905 and either GEOG 6906 or GEOG 6907
• Presentation and oral defence of the thesis proposal as outlined below
• Language requirement as outlined below
• A thesis equivalent to 8.0 of the required 10.0 credits which must be defended at an oral examination

Comprehensive Examinations

Each doctoral candidate is required to write two comprehensive examinations:

• GEOG 6905
• GEOG 6906 or 6907, according to the chosen field of specialization

The comprehensive examinations must be completed after course requirements for the Ph.D. have been completed. The examinations will normally occur no later than the winter term of second year of registration in the Ph.D. program. Failure to complete the examinations successfully will result in denial of permission to continue in the program.

Thesis Proposal

Candidates normally register in the thesis on entry to the program and work actively to define their research topic during the first term of registration. The thesis proposal is normally presented after comprehensive requirements have been fulfilled. Candidates normally submit and defend the thesis proposal at an oral examination no later than the end of the winter term of the second year of registration in the Ph.D. program. Continuous registration is required after initial registration in the thesis.

Language Requirement

All Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate an ability to comprehend geographical literature in a language other than English, where required by the thesis committee.

Residence Requirements

All Ph.D. candidates must be registered full time in a minimum of six terms to satisfy the residence requirement.

Collaborative Ph.D. with a Specialization in Political Economy

The Department of Geography and the Institute of Political Economy offer a Collaborative Ph.D. Program in Political Economy. See the Political Economy section of this Calendar.

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

In addition to the selection of courses offered by the Department, graduate students in geography are encouraged to consider, in partial fulfillment of their degree requirements, appropriate courses offered in such disciplines as biology, chemistry, economics, engineering, geology, history, international affairs, physics, political science, and sociology.

Courses at the University of Ottawa may also be taken for credit in a Carleton M.A. program; permission of the Departments in both universities is required.

GEOG 5000 [0.5 credit]

Approaches to Geographical Inquiry

A review of the major philosophical perspectives shaping research and explanation by geographers. Particular attention is paid to interpretations of social structure and human action, the nature of the biophysical universe, and the interaction between human beings and their environments.

GEOG 5001 [0.5 credit]

Modeling Environmental Systems

Methods and problems of research on the physical environment, with illustrative material taken from the atmospheric and surface earth sciences. Issues such as the identification and behaviour of environmental systems, temporal and spatial scale, experimental method under field conditions, and simulation and model development are considered.

GEOG 5003 [0.5 credit]

Critical Approaches to Qualitative Geographical Research

Development of critical research skills through consideration of the relationship between theory and method. Examination of: interviewing, personal narratives, participatory research, focus groups, participant observation, archival research and visual methodologies. Practical experience in selected methods.

GEOG 5005 [0.5 credit]

Global Environmental Change: Human Implications

Global environmental change: its significance for societies, economies and international relations. Value systems underlying environmental discourse; political economy of the environment; sustainability and security. Environmental diplomacy and grassroots environmentalism. Regionalized impacts of pressures on natural environments; challenges of adaptation. (Also listed as INAF 5701.)

GEOG 5006 [0.5 credit]

Special Topics in Geography of the

Environment

Research seminar on a selected theme within geographical approaches to environmental analysis. Topics will vary from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.

GEOG 5103 [0.5 credit]

Hydrologic Principles and Methods

Advanced physical hydrology with emphasis on atmospheric moisture, precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, soil water physics, snow hydrology and runoff generation. Analytical approaches and methods to solve practical hydrological problems.

GEOG 5104 [0.5 credit]

Advanced Biogeography

Current methods and theories in paleoecology are examined: dendrochronology, paleolimnology and other techniques for examining past climates and environmental condition. Numerical approaches to climate change studies.

GEOG 5107 [0.5 credit]

Field Study and Methodological Research

Field acquisition and analysis of geographic material; supervised field observations and methodology. (Individual or group basis, by special arrangement.)

GEOG 5201 [0.5 credit]

Special Topics in the Geography of

Development

Research seminar within geographical approaches to development focusing on a selected theme or region. Topics vary from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.

GEOG 5303 [0.5 credit]

Geocryology

Development of ground ice in permafrost regions of Canada; ice segregation and pore-water expulsion during ground freezing; analytical and numerical approaches to modeling permafrost conditions.

Prerequisite: GEOG 4108 or permission of the Department.

GEOG 5307 [0.5 credit]

Soil Resources

Physical, mineralogical, chemical, and other properties of soils will be studied in agricultural, environmental, geomorphological and/or geotechnical contexts, as relevant to the students enrolled.

GEOG 5400 [0.5 credit]

Territory and Territoriality

Contemporary geographical and international relations theorizing is challenging notions of boundaries and territories in the political organization of modernity. Using contemporary writings on geopolitics, security, sovereignty, self-determination and identity politics this course investigates territoriality as a political and intellectual strategy. (Also listed as INAF 5402.)

GEOG 5406 [0.5 credit]

Special Topics in Cultural Geography

Research seminar on a selected theme within cultural (including historical) geography. Topic varies from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.

GEOG 5500 [0.5 credit]

Globalization and Localities

A review of recent theoretical and methodological debate in this field and analysis of the changing geography of production, employment, and social consumption in advanced economies. Policy issues will be considered.

GEOG 5502 [0.5 credit]

Special Topics in Geography of Globalization

Research seminar on a selected theme within geographical aspects of globalization. Topic varies from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.

GEOG 5700 [0.5 credit]

Sustainability and Development in the Circumpolar North

The Circumpolar Arctic Region is undergoing rapid political, economic, social and technological development, which impacts sustainability. Climate, contaminants and biological diversity focus international attention, Nunavut, the Russian North, major developments, and international circumpolar regime formation; emphasis on environment and development.

GEOG 5800 [0.5 credit]

Spatial Information Systems

Advanced concepts and problems involving spatial information systems. Topics may include: data access and implementation issues; integration of GIS and environmental models, and managing uncertainty; spatial decision support systems; visualization; quantitative spatial analysis.

Prerequisite: experience with GIS and permission of the department.

GEOG 5803 [0.5 credit]

Remote Sensing and Image Analysis

Topics may include: advanced sensors and calibration; radiometric data correction; spatial and temporal image analysis; non-parametric and object-based classification; spectral unmixing; scaling; physical-optical modeling; data fusion; selected applications in vegetation, urban, water, and geologic mapping.

GEOG 5804 [0.5 credit]

Geographic Information Systems

GIS for students with no previous experience. Includes data formats and structures, input/output and analysis capabilities, and GIS applications.

GEOG 5900 [0.5 credit]

Graduate Tutorial

Tutorial, directed reading or research, offered on an individual basis, to meet specific program needs; may be taken in one of the areas of specialization of the Department.

GEOG 5905 [0.5 credit]

Masters Research Workshop

A workshop which focuses on the challenges of research design in the various sub-fields of geography. The workshop will culminate with the development and defence of a thesis research proposal.

GEOG 5906 [2.5 credits]

M.Sc. Thesis

Thesis supervision will be given in Physical Geography, as listed in the introductory section of this department's program description.

GEOG 5909 [2.5 credits]

M.A. Thesis

Thesis supervision will be given in all areas of specialization of the Department, as listed in the introductory section of this department's program description.

6000-level courses are open only to students registered in the doctoral program.

GEOG 6000 [0.5 credit]

Doctoral Core Seminar: Geography, Society and the Environment

Geographical perspectives on the development of society/environment interrelations in Western thought and critiques thereof. The course is taught by faculty representing the two fields of the program, the geography of social change and the geography of environmental change.

GEOG 6001 [0.5 credit]

Doctoral Core Seminar: Geography, Society and the Environment

Geographical perspectives on the development of society/environment interrelations in Western thought and critiques thereof. The course is taught by faculty representing the two fields of the program, the geography of social change and the geography of environmental change.

GEOG 6003 [0.5 credit]

Field Seminar: Geography of Societal Change

Analysis of current geographical and related research into the three themes of global political economy: restructuring and the environment; geographies of socio-cultural evaluation; and feminist geographies.

GEOG 6004 [0.5 credit]

Field Seminar: Geography of Societal Change

Analysis of current geographical and related research into the three themes of global political economy: restructuring and the environment; geographies of socio-cultural evaluation; and feminist geographies.

GEOG 6006 [0.5 credit]

Field Seminar: Geography of Environmental Change

Analysis of geographical and related research into the appraisal and societal management of environmental resources, and environmental processes and anthropogenic impacts.

GEOG 6007 [0.5 credit]

Field Seminar: Geography of Environmental Change

Analysis of geographical and related research into the appraisal and societal management of environmental resources, and environmental processes and anthropogenic impacts.

GEOG 6905 (0.0 credit)

Comprehensive Examination: Geography, Society and the Environment

This examination involves a general knowledge of geographical perspectives on the development of society/environment interrelations in Western thought and critiques thereof. A specific theme will be identified for each candidate.

GEOG 6906 [0.0 credit]

Comprehensive Examination: The Geography of Societal Change

This examination focuses on research challenges in theory and methodology in the themes of global political economy: restructuring and the environment; geographies of socio-cultural evaluation; feminist geographies. A specific theme will be identified for each candidate.

GEOG 6907 [0.0 credit]

Comprehensive Examination: The Geography of Environmental Change

This examination focuses on research challenges in theory and methodology associated with the appraisal and societal management of environmental resources, and environmental processes and anthropogenic impacts. A specific theme will be identified for each candidate.

GEOG 6909 [8.0 credits]

Ph.D. Thesis