COURSE CURRICULUM

The thesis option of the Master of Environmental Studies in Geography program is designed for students who wish to conduct in-depth research and make a scholarly contribution to the field. Course requirements begin with GEOG700A and GEOG700B (Geographic Scholarship and Practice 1 and 2, 0.25 units each), which provide foundational training in academic research and professional development. Students must also complete one methods-focused course from a selection that includes GEOG604 (Spatial Statistics), GEOG617 (Applied Statistics in Ecology and Environment), GEOG620 (Foundations in Human Geography), GEOG625 (Qualitative Methods in Geography), or GEOG640 (Contextualizing Research in Earth System Science), each worth 0.50 units. These courses allow students to tailor their methodological skills to their specific research focus, whether in environmental science, geomatics, or human geography. In addition, students are required to complete two more graduate-level courses (0.50 units each) from GEOG or GEMCC that align with their thesis topic. With approval from the Graduate Officer, one elective course may be taken outside of these departments. This structured yet flexible curriculum supports rigorous independent research and prepares students for academic, governmental, or industry careers that require strong analytical, technical, and critical thinking skills in environmental and geographic studies.