Geography
Loeb Building B349
Telephone: 613-520-2561
Fax:
613-520-4301
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 geo-spatial 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
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 4013, GEOG 4017,
GEOG 4101, GEOG 4103 GEOG 4104, GEOG 4108, GEOM 4003, GEOM 4008
or from courses offered by departments in the Faculty of Science.
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
- One written
comprehensive examination including in either GEOG 6906 or GEOG 6907
- Presentation
and oral defence of the thesis proposal 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 one
comprehensive examination:
. GEOG 6906 or
GEOG 6907, according to the chosen field of specialization
The comprehensive examination must be completed after course
requirements for the Ph.D. have been completed. The examination will
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 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.
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. or M.Sc.
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 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
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