Course Descriptions

An introduction to the processes and interactions in the earth's biophysical environment with a particular emphasis on the flow of energy and matter within global environmental systems. Topics include global radiation and energy balances, atmospheric and oceanic processes, the hydrological cycle, earth surface processes and biogeochemical cycling. Case studies are introduced to illustrate the interaction between human activity and the natural environment.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Note: A background in high school sciences at the 30-level is recommended.

Studies the Earth's life-support systems and explores the consequences of human activity. Key themes include examining global ecosystem processes, human interconnections, as well as applications of information from the Earth Sciences.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note:A background in high school sciences at the 30-level is recommended.

This course explores the many physical, social and cultural interactions that exist between the natural environment, human health and the built environment. Using multiple scales of inquiry ranging from global to local, selected topics will include environmental management, regional and urban planning as well as human health promotion and wellbeing. The course will focus not only on factors contributing to the many current environmental challenges such as global food and water security, building healthier cities and global health inequities but also on innovative technologies and human capabilities to improve the current condition.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for GEOG 113 or 114 may not take this course for credit.

Introduces students to the landscapes, peoples and issues of the circumpolar region. Beginning with an examination of the geography, and the biological and physical systems of the Subarctic and Arctic, the course then turns attention to the aboriginal and contemporary peoples of the region. The history of the Circumpolar World is treated in a broad fashion, to provide a grounding in the events and developments that have created the region's contemporary qualities. The second part of the course surveys some of the particular issues facing the region, including climate change, and economic, political and social development. This course is ultimately intended to stimulate interest in the circumpolar world.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for NRTH 101 will not receive credit for this course.

Presents an analysis of the evolution of Canada and describes the physical, historical, economic and cultural bases of the various regions of Canada.

Prerequisite(s): 24 credit units of university course work.
Note: This course is offered online through the Distance Education Unit only.

Presents an analysis of the physical, historical, economic and social geography of the three Prairie Provinces. The processes of settlement, resource development, and urban growth will be examined.

Prerequisite(s): 24 credit units of university course work.
Note: This course is offered online through the Distance Education Unit only.

The regions of the world face a series of development problems. These problems are examined in terms of development theory and their spatial consequences. The implications for global, national and regional planning are discussed.

Prerequisite(s): 24 credit units of university course work.
Note(s): GEOG 208.3 is offered online through the Distance Education Unit only.

Geomatics is the realm of geography related to the collection, storage, manipulation, and communication of geographic information. It includes, but is not limited to, Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, and Remote Sensing. The structure, nature, analysis, and representation of spatial data related to Earth will be covered, as will the acquisition of skills related to the practice of geographic analysis and communication.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): One of GEOG 120.3, GEOG 125.3, GEOG 130.3, or GEOG 150.3; or 3 credit units of Science courses and 21 credit units of additional University course work.

The geographic distribution of hydrologic processes in Canada is examined. The types of processes and their rates of operation are related to regional physical environments.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 120; or 3 credit units of Science courses and 21 credit units of additional University course work.

An examination of the elements of weather and climate including the composition and thermal structure of the atmosphere; radiation and energy balances; global circulation; air masses; fronts and atmospheric disturbances; and climates of the world.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units of Science courses and 21 credit units of additional University course work.
Note: GEOG 120 is recommended.

This interdisciplinary course explores the earth and atmospheric processes that are responsible for landform development and natural hazards, the regions in Canada most susceptible to natural disasters, and current developments in hazard forecasting and monitoring techniques. Students will explore through case studies the impacts of natural disasters on Canadian landscapes and people. Lastly, the course explores ways to lessen the impacts of natural disasters through risk perception, assessment, and preparedness, and mitigation strategies.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 120 or GEOL 121 or permission of the instructor.

This courses uses the pillars of sustainable development- economic, social/cultural, environmental - as an organizing framework for the study of cities and the regions in which they are embedded. Historical and contemporary thought in the fields of urban/economic, social/cultural and environmental geography form the substance of this course.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 24 credit units of university course work.
Note: GEOG 130 is recommended.

A 4-month cooperative work term for students in the Cooperative Education Option in the Environment & Society and Hydrology programs.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of minimum 54 and maximum 84 credit units of course work.
Note(s): See also specific eligibility criteria for the Environmental Earth Sciences and Environment and Society programs in the Arts and Science Programs section of the Course and Program Catalogue.

An introduction to the geographic perspectives on resources and the environment. This course introduces environmental geography as an integrative science to explore the relationships between human and physical systems.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 3 credit units of GEOG courses and 21 credit units of additional University course work.
Note: GEOG 280 is a Social Science course but may be used as a Science course in the Breadth Requirement for the following Program Types in the College of Arts and Science: A (Humanities), B (Social Science), D (Fine Arts), E (B.F.A. in Studio Art), F (B.F.A. in Drama), and G (B.Mus.).

The Director’s colloquy is a non-credit course that ensures Students and Director are in regular communication as a community of scholars. The colloquy is designed to support student success in the completion of their degree and future career path. Three meetings of two hours each will be held over the semester. Each meeting will be focussed on different aspects of scholarly preparedness and post-degree career planning. Topics include successful research and writing strategies, meeting graduates of the program and learning about their post-degree employment experiences, planning for post-graduate life, whether it be joining the workforce or further education in professional programs. Students will meet our USask research librarians, successful CMRS graduates (published writers, managers, teachers, lawyers, professors, administrators, archivists, museum directors, theatre directors), and will take part in facilitated discussions on how to use their humanist education to create a meaningful life in a challenging world.An introduction to the principles and practice of compass navigation, topographic surveying, image analysis, and the sampling and analysis of sediments, water, and plant communities relevant to environmental science. There will be costs related to the field and laboratory exercises in addition to tuition fees for this course.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 4 Practicum/Lab hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 120; or 3 credit units of Science courses and 21 credit units of additional University course work.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

Course content will focus on the use of statistics in geographical research and their use in a spatial context in human and physical geography. Topics are covered in spatial and multivariate statistics. Weekly take-home labs and course content emphasize geographical subjects.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): One of PLSC 214.3, STAT 242.3, STAT 245.3, or STAT 246.3.
Note: Students with credit for GEOG 303 may not take this course for credit.

Introduces students to the use of computer-based Geographic Information Systems for the management and analysis of spatial data for map production. Topics include vector and raster data structures, spatial data acquisition, geo-referencing, spatial interpolation, overlay analysis, and modelling. Students obtain practical experience with Geographical Information Systems through a series of exercises.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 222; or 99 credit units of University course work; or permission of the instructor.

Advanced lectures, seminars and laboratories for those specializing in resource and environmental studies. It includes inductive and deductive evaluation of air photo patterns and the interpretation of multi-spectral imagery and remote sensing imagery.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 222; or 99 credit units of University course work; or permission of the instructor.

Processes responsible for river form and hydrological functioning are investigated analytically. Topics covered include watershed controls on streamflow generation, river forms, river flow regimes, stream chemistry, and the impacts of climate and land use changes on stream ecohydrology.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 225; or 12 credit units in GEOL.

Groundwater is the largest source of readily accessible freshwater. This course provides a rigorous understanding of subsurface hydrological processes and covers fundamentals of subsurface flow and transport, emphasizing the role of groundwater and soil water in the hydrological cycle, and groundwater-surface water interactions.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 225; or 12 credit units of GEOL.

Earth’s climate is constantly changing in response to influences forced upon it by natural systems and human actions. It is expected that current and future climate changes will have a strong influence on human populations, society, and development. This course describes how humans predict future climate changes and how we can mitigate or adapt to those changes. Major topics discussed in this course will focus on the politics and economics of climate change and how these can help, or hinder, our attempts to manage climate change. More direct attempts, through geoengineering and weather modification, will be addressed as well.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 233 or permission of the instructor
Note: Students with credit for GEOG 398.3 Climate Change may not take this course for credit

Examines the role of continental and alpine glaciation in shaping Canadian landscapes throughout the Quaternary period. Topics include glaciology and glacier flow, glacial processes and landforms, Milankovitch cycles and Quaternary ice sheet dynamics in North America, and glacio-eustasy and glacio-isostasy.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 235; or 12 credit units in GEOL, GEOE, EVSC, or SLSC.

This course introduces the students to processes of growth, decline and distribution of populations and households. We will open with discussion on the prehistoric and historic demography of human populations, from migration waves out of Africa into Eurasia during the Paleolithic, to peopling of the Americas during the Mesolithic and the early Neolithic Decline, growth and distribution of human populations in Antiquity, the Middle-Ages, and the processes of urbanization, population growth and redistribution through early modernity will be reviewed. The first half of the term will close with discussion on the pioneers of modern demography and their work, namely, Thomas Malthus’ “Essay on the Principle of Population,” and Frank Notestein’s demographic transition theory. The second half of the term introduces modern demographic data and their sources, focusing on fertility, mortality, and migration. The term closes with the outline of population projection methodology, applied to the latest available Canadian census data.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 24 credit units in Social Sciences or in Health disciplines, including STAT 244 or equivalent, and at least 3 credit units of 200-level ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, PLAN, SOC; or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for PLAN 342 can take GEOG 348 only with permission of the instructor.

A multidisciplinary study of the biophysical environments of the circumpolar North. This course examines the processes operating at the Earth's surface and within the atmosphere and hydrosphere and their role in structuring northern ecosystems. Writing exercises and/or research projects will permit students with background preparation in the humanities, social sciences and the sciences to assess the impact of human activity on northern environments.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units in science; or permission of the instructor.
Note: GEOG 120 or GEOG 150 (formerly NRTH 101) recommended.

Explores the ways in which human-environment interactions impact on human health and disease. The goal of this course is to help students understand and assess the nature and variation across space of major environmental risks to health, and to learn how such risks may be prevented or managed.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 130 and 280.
Note: Students with credit for GEOG 314 may not take this course for credit.

A 4-month cooperative work term for students in the Cooperative Education Option in the Environment & Society and Hydrology programs.

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 272.

A 4-month cooperative work term for students in the Cooperative Education Option in the Environment & Society and Hydrology programs.

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 372.

Covers topics in Geography, offered by the Washington Center, Washington D.C. Topics approved by the Department of Geography and Planning will vary from year to year.

Prerequisite(s): 60 credit units of university level study including 6 credit units senior GEOG.
Note: Registration in this course is restricted to students selected for the Washington Center Term Abroad program.

This course will focus on four themes of contemporary circumpolar northern environments: natural resources and their use in terrestrial and aquatic environments; infrastructure in the North; pollution in terrestrial and aquatic environments; and conservation of natural resources.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units of Science courses; or permission of the instructor.
Note: Previous completion of at least 3 credit units selected from BIOL 121; GEOG 125 or GEOG 280; GEOL 121; GEOG 150 is recommended. Students with credit for BIOL 312 or NRTH 312 may not receive credit for this course. This course previously labeled BIOL 312 and NRTH 312.

Explores the importance of the Canadian North to the Canadian Identity and examines the issues and challenges facing the region. Major topics include resource development, environmental issues, community development, and the evolving role of First Nations, Métis and Inuit in the decision-making process.

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280; or permission of the instructor.
Note(s): This course is offered online through the Distance Education Unit only.

An examination of various approaches to environmental management. Emphasis is placed on environmental policy making and management strategies pertinent in a western context. Analytical frameworks used to understand how policies are developed and implemented are also introduced.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280 or permission of the instructor.

A practical and theoretical introduction to environmental and socioeconomic impact assessment. Emphasis is placed on the principles and characteristics of impact assessment as set out under Canadian and Saskatchewan guidelines and legislation, and on the lessons learned from selected case studies.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 280 or permission of the instructor.

Introduces a variety of field and laboratory approaches, methodologies and techniques that find frequent application in physical geography. Field projects will be undertaken to collect data for analysis, evaluation and presentation.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture/Practicum/Lab hours
Permission of the department required.
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 290; and one of GEOG 225, GEOG 233, or GEOG 328.
Note: There are costs in addition to tuition fees. Details available from the Department.

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

In 1854, Dr. Snow used basic mapping techniques to identify the source of the deadly cholera outbreak in London. Since then, various spatial analysis techniques have been developed to solve a wide range of location-based problems. This course takes students beyond the art and science of mapping people and places to develop skills in identifying and quantifying relationships amongst those phenomena. Topics include pattern analysis techniques such as hot-spot analysis, considerations for designing spatially-oriented research, spatial regression, and spatial interpolation. Students will develop their understanding of these techniques and relevant software (R/Python) through assignments and a term-long project. This course builds on the skills developed in statistics and mapping courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 222.3 and GEOG 302.3

The science, art, and practice of mapmaking. Maps of different styles and types will be created along with an understanding of the principles of spatial communication. Maps for policy, planning, history, and scientific inquiry will be created. Students will demonstrate competency in cartography, visual, and writing communication.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): One of GEOG 302, GEOG 322, or GEOG 323; or permission of the instructor.
Note: Students with credit for GEOG 320 will not receive credit for this course. This course was labelled GEOG 320 until 2016.

Deals with advanced remote sensing techniques including satellite imagery calibration, spectral data transformation and land use cover classification, and detection of environmental change. The course consists of three interrelated components: lectures, laboratory exercises and group projects.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 1 Seminar/Discussion hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 323.

Examines the physical principles governing hydrological processes. Topics covered include precipitation, interception, snow accumulation, snowmelt, evaporation, infiltration, groundwater movement, flood and drought frequency analysis and stream flow. Lectures and tutorials with hydrology instrumentation will be supplemented by problem solving assignments and an essay.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): One of MATH 110, MATH 123, MATH 125, or MATH 176; one of EVSC 210 or PHYS 115 or GE 124; GEOG 225.

This course provides students with an introduction to drivers of environmental health centred on Indigenous wellbeing and community health in Canada. Through a combination of classroom learning and field work in a local First Nation community we will introduce students to the environment and health challenges facing Indigenous peoples in Canada and community responses to these challenges. Students will work in teams with community members to study a critical health issue identified by our partner community. The research results will be presented to the class and before the community in the form of a written report, an oral presentation, and a brief personal video.

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 364.3 or permission of the instructor.

A 4-month cooperative work term for students in the Cooperative Education Option in the Environment & Society and Hydrology programs.

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 373.

A 4-month cooperative work term for students in the Cooperative Education Option in the Environment & Society and Hydrology programs.

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 472.

Students will work on theoretical or practical research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. An outline of the project must be submitted to the course coordinator in the term preceding registration and be approved before Departmental permission will be granted. An oral presentation and written report submitted at the end of the project will be evaluated by a faculty committee.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours and 2 Tutorial hours
Permission of the department required.
Prerequisite(s): One of GEOG 325, GEOG 328, GEOG 335, GEOG 351 or GEOG 427; and GEOG 390.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): GEOG 302.

Students will work on theoretical or practical research projects in environmental studies or planning under the supervision of a faculty member. An outline of the project must be submitted to the course coordinator in the term preceding registration and be approved before Departmental permission will be granted. An oral presentation and written report submitted at the end of the project will be evaluated by a faculty committee.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Permission of the department required.
Prerequisite(s): One of GEOG 340.3, GEOG 364.3, GEOG 379.3, GEOG 381.3, GEOG 385.3, GEOG 386.3, GEOG 464.3, PLAN 329.3, PLAN 341.3, PLAN 343.3, PLAN 346.3, PLAN 350.3, PLAN 390.3, PLAN 441.3, PLAN 445.3 or PLAN 446.3.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): GEOG 302.3

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

The purpose of this course is to introduce graduate students to theoretical and practical issues in geographical research. Its specific objective is to demonstrate and promote professional practices in geography culminating in a research plan that will serve as the basis for developing a graduate research proposal.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Note: Required for M.A., M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.

Geographic Information Science is the systematic study and theory of digital representations of the Earth, and the processes that can be applied to that information. Students will explore contemporary theory and research in GIScience to better understand how technology can be used for geographic inquiry.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Training in GIS, Cartography, or related technical or theoretical area.

There are three major parts to this course: class discussion, field data collection, and a research project. A topic is assigned for weekly in-class discussion. One time field data collection will be arranged including using spectroradiometer and LAI-2000 instruments. Each student must finish a research project.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 2 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 423 or permission of the department.

This course will provide the understanding and tools necessary to develop and apply hydrological models across a broad range of landscapes. Students will learn how to represent process understanding in hydrological models, how to devise meaningful model experiments, and how to evaluate model experiments in a systematic way.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

This course presents the quantitative relationships that encapsulate our understanding of hydrological processes most relevant to western and northern Canada. Three principal themes are explored: (1) the physical concepts and major conceptual and practical challenges in hydrology; (2) surface-atmosphere water and energy exchange; and (3) water movement over the landscape.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours

This course aims to describe and explain the physical principles and processes that govern hydrology with special reference to Canadian conditions and with an emphasis on the application of coupled mass and energy balance calculations in hydrology. Students will learn the primary Canadian hydrological processes, assess the effects of variable boundary conditions on these processes, and apply coupled energy and mass balance equations to calculate hydrological flows.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours

This short course emphasizes integrative science and professional practice for NSERC CREA TE for Water Security students.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 1 Seminar/Discussion hours and 1 Practicum/Lab hours
Permission of the instructor required

This course explores the dynamic and reciprocal interplay between hydrological processes and ecological pattern and processes.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Restriction: An undergraduate degree in a natural resources field plus permission of the instructor.

The examination of current research themes and problems in transportation geography. Alternate topics may be covered to reflect student needs.

Weekly hours: 1 Lecture hours and 2 Seminar/Discussion hours

A survey of various theories of social and policy planning and their application to the geographical organization and planning of Canadian communities. The emphasis of this course lies on the links between political, economic and social processes within urban areas.

Weekly hours: 2 Lecture hours

The course focuses on the theory and methods of indigenous community planning in reserve, rural, urban, northern, and international contexts. Students will apply course content in classroom discussions and to produce a research essay. Guest lectures from practitioners and a field trip are additional highlights to the learning experience.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Note: Students with credit for PLAN 445 will not receive credit for this course.

This course explores the feedback mechanisms between hydrological and social systems, the implications for sustainable water management and sustainable societies, and the theoretical frameworks that have emerged at this interface.

The course introduces the emerging land use and transportation planning issues, policies, trends, modelling, and analytical tools. It focuses on the areas of land use and transportation systems integration, public transport planning and operations, and planning for active transportation and shared-mobility options. Students will understand and learn how to adapt evidence-based approaches to evaluate land use and transportation systems performance.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

Professional skills development for the environmental planner. A focus on personal and professional capacity development in a variety of professional skills including Indigenous engagement and ethical conduct, policy, plan, and program evaluation, environment and planning legislation and regulation, and principles of data management. Students complete a series of self-guided modules.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

A graduate course providing topics relating to water planning and management in Canada. Concepts and theory will be augmented with practical, applied learning to prepare students to engage as practitioners in the field. Themes covered include water law and governance, planning process models, watershed assessments, source water protection, innovation in urban stormwater management, Indigenous water issues and integrated water resource management.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

A project-based course focusing on emerging concepts and broader applications of environmental assessment principles and practices. Course topics varying from year to year following developments in the field, and may include such topics as cumulative effects assessment, strategic environmental assessment, project scooping, assessment methods and techniques, monitoring and follow-up.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): GEOG 386; or 6 credit units in advanced environmental management; or permission of the instructor.

A reading course for graduate students focusing on areas for which there is no regular graduate course or for making up the deficiencies in the research program.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Note: There are costs in addition to tuition fees. Please contact the department for information.

Offered occasionally in special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours

During residence, candidates will register in GEOG 990 and will present at least one paper based on their own research (likely thesis research).

Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

Students writing a Ph.D. thesis must register for this course.