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    * Major in Physical Geography and Geomatics

  Major in Physical Geography and Geomatics

      60 Units

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        Physical Geography is the scientific study of processes and patterns at the Earth's surface. It uses field and laboratory measurements and spatial data to evaluate our world's changing climates, water, land, plants and animals. Physical geographers are trained to synthesize environmental knowledge and apply it to real-world problems such as coastal erosion or loss of habitat. Solving these problems also requires the collection, management and computer analysis of the vast amounts of spatial data now available, which is the domain of Geomatics.

        Students in the Major in Physical Geography and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa learn to use the full range of geospatial technologies (drones/UAVs, global positioning systems, geographic information systems, satellite imaging, spatial analysis) to study environments ranging from the mountains of the Yukon to the coral reefs of Zanzibar. Graduates from the program will have the scientific knowledge and the technical skills to become leaders in these growing fields.

        The program is offered in English and in French.

        Learn more about this program

      The table below includes only the discipline-specific courses. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for information on the Honours bachelor's with double major and the Honours bachelor's with major and minor.

      Co-operative education is available when taken as part of an honours degree.

      The French immersion stream is available when taken as part of an honours degree.

      This program cannot be combined with the Minor in Geomatics.

      This program partially satisfies the academic requirements of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.

      Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2025-2026 calendar for the previous requirements.

      Course List
        Code                                                        Title                                                Units  
        Compulsory courses at the 1000 level                                                                           
        GEG 1301                                                    The Physical Environment                             3 Units
        ITI 1120                                                    Introduction to Computing I                          3 Units
        Compulsory courses at the 2000 level                                                                           
        GEG 2301                                                    Earth Surface Processes and Landforms                3 Units
        GEG 2304                                                    Climatology                                          3 Units
        GEG 2320                                                    GIS and the Digital Earth                            3 Units
        GEG 2918                                                    Introduction to Field Research                       3 Units
        Compulsory courses at the 3000 level                                                                           
        GEG 3105                                                    Earth Observation                                    3 Units
        GEG 3312                                                    Digital Earth Analysis Modeling                      3 Units
        Compulsory courses at the 4000 level                                                                           
        GEG 4301                                                    Coding the Digital Earth                             3 Units
        Optional courses                                                                                               
        9 optional course units from:                               9 Units                                            
          BIO 1131                                                  Introduction to Organismal Biology                          
          CHM 1311                                                  Principles of Chemistry                                     
          GEO 1111                                                  Introduction to Earth Systems                               
          GEO 1115                                                  Introduction to Earth Materials                             
          PHY 1321                                                  Principles of Physics I                                     
        6 optional course units from one of the following options:  6 Units                                            
        Option 1                                                                                                       
          MAT 1320                                                  Calculus I                                                  
          MAT 1322                                                  Calculus II                                                 
        Option 2                                                                                                       
          MAT 1330                                                  Calculus for the Life Sciences I                            
          MAT 1332                                                  Calculus for the Life Sciences II                           
        3 optional course units from: 1                             3 Units                                            
          GEG 4000                                                  Tropical Field Research                                     
          GEG 4001                                                  Northern Field Research                                     
          GEG 4100                                                  Glaciology Field Research                                   
          GEG 4921                                                  Physical Geography Field Research                           
        15 optional course units from:                              15 Units                                           
          GEG 3101                                                  Advanced Geomorphology                                      
          GEG 3102                                                  Hydrology                                                   
          GEG 3114                                                  Biogeography                                                
          GEG 3300                                                  Selected Topics in Physical Geography                       
          GEG 3306                                                  Quaternary Paleogeography                                   
          GEG 3524                                                  Histoire de la géographie                                   
          GEG 4000                                                  Tropical Field Research                                     
          GEG 4001                                                  Northern Field Research                                     
          GEG 4101                                                  Permafrost Environments                                     
          GEG 4120                                                  Spatial Data Science                                        
          GEG 4121                                                  Applications of Remote Sensing in the Polar Regions         
          GEG 4126                                                  Seminar in Physical Geography                               
          GEG 4129                                                  Global Climate Change                                       
        Total:                                                      60 Units                                           
        
        1

        GEG 4000 and GEG 4001 are 6 unit courses. The extra 3 units will count towards optional 3000 or 4000 level course units.

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