COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Geography at Laurier Waterloo provides a strong foundation in physical geography and earth systems through a combination of core and elective courses designed for first-year students. Core courses include The Anatomy of Earth, Introduction to Human Geography, Introduction to Physical Geography, The Surface of Earth, and calculus-based courses such as Calculus I for the Natural Sciences and Introductory Calculus for the Natural Sciences, ensuring students develop essential quantitative and analytical skills. First-year students also select four electives from a range of science-focused options, including Biological Diversity and Evolution, Fundamentals of Chemistry I and II, Mechanics, Mechanics for the Life Sciences, Thermodynamics, Thermodynamics for the Life Sciences, and Unifying Life Processes, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests while building a multidisciplinary foundation. Upper-year courses expand on these foundations with specialized topics and practical applications, including Field Surveying, which teaches students hands-on techniques for mapping and data collection, Hydrology, which examines the movement and distribution of water in the environment, Climate Change, which addresses global and regional impacts, and Coastal Processes and Landforms, which explores the dynamics shaping shorelines and coastal ecosystems. This curriculum integrates laboratory work, field research, and analytical tools such as GIS and remote sensing, equipping graduates with the technical expertise and critical thinking skills needed for careers in environmental science, resource management, urban planning, and geospatial analysis.