Redefine the Future with Geography and the Environment
In-Demand Skills for Building a Sustainable Tomorrow
Are you passionate about shaping a sustainable future while addressing today's most pressing environmental challenges? Apply to a geography program and play a key role in developing innovative solutions to issues such as climate change, nature conservation, social and environmental justice, food security, watershed management, urban-rural transitions, and community resilience.
Through dynamic interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experiences, you’ll develop a deep understanding of the vital connections between people and the environment—both in Canada and across the globe.
Unlock your potential with transformative experiences including co-op placements, study abroad opportunities, field schools, internships, and volunteering. These learning opportunities will help you build the skills needed to succeed in your chosen career.
- 16 Months
- of co-op work experience during your degree
- 30+ Countries
- available as study abroad options to expand your horizons
- 2-6 Weeks
- of hands-on learning through field schools
- 200+ student clubs
- to enrich your campus experience
Join a Generation of Changemakers
Turn your Passion into Skills
Fueled by your passion, you'll take courses in both the physical and social sciences in order to gain critical research, data analysis, and project management skills that are necessary to tackle big problems from multiple angles.
Turn your Skills into Action
Test out theory in the real world through hands-on experiences like study abroad, field schools, co-operative education, internships, volunteering, and course-based experiential learning.
Turn your Action into Change
After graduation, you'll launch an impactful career and join the community of alumni working locally and around the world, using your expertise to address the major social and environmental issues facing our planet.
"Studying geography at the University of Guelph is more than just earning a degree—it’s an invitation to make a difference to the environmental challenges our society faces. Through our programs, you will be given hands-on experience and countless opportunities to deepen your understanding of the interconnected systems that shape the planet."
How Will You Make Your Mark?
Geography
Interested in physical geography as well as the social and political dimensions of environmental issues? As a Geography major, you can leverage your knowledge of local and global issues, such as community stability and climate change, in order to build strong communities and healthy environments.
Sample courses:
- Environment, Justice and Society
- Applied Human Geography
- Contemporary Geographic Thought
Earth Observation and Geographic Information Science (EOGIS)
Gain a foundational understanding of the earth's system and enjoy hands-on training in how geographic information science, remote sensing, data science and computational modeling can be used to better understand and sustainably manage the environment.
Sample courses:
- Climate and the Biophysical Environment
- GIS and Spatial Analysis
- Remote Sensing of the Environment
Environmental Governance
Lead the shift towards a future where collaboration between governments, community organizations and businesses can address pressing environmental challenges. Gain insight into the processes, policies and institutions that govern environmental decision-making.
Sample courses:
- Earth: Hazards and Global Change
- Indigenous-Settler Relations
- Protest, Resistance, and Collective Action
Environment and Resource Management
Through foundational understanding of physical geography and environmental science, gain in-demand research, analysis, and technical skills designed to support a career in environmental management and stewardship.
Sample courses:
- Discovering Biodiversity
- Survey of Natural Resource Economics
- Mapping and GIS
Get Meaningful Work Experience with Co-op
As a student in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, you have the option to apply to a co-op program for real-world work experience. You'll get a head start on building your professional networks and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace — all while getting paid and earning your degree.
Our students have held co-op jobs like Junior Program Analyst, Field Monitoring Assistant, Environmental Technician, and Health and Safety Environmental Coordinator.
What Our Students & Graduates Say
"I chose geography as my major because I liked the environment and people, but I didn't know exactly what the program was about. I ended up loving geography because it encompasses those things and has an interdisciplinary approach that allows you to study anything you're interested in. My favourite course so far was geomorphology, which had helpful labs and field trips. The professors are amazing and are always available to answer questions."
"In my second year at Guelph, I took a Geographic Information Systems course on mapping and spatial analysis. I absolutely loved it! In the midst of this, I also found out that I am passionate about soil science. So I began tailoring my degree to those areas of study. What's really great about the Environmental Sciences program is that you figure out along the way what you love, you tailor your degree to that, and then you can pursue that as a career."
Where Will Your Degree Take You?
Our programs are designed to prepare you for a meaningful career where you can make positive, sustainable and equitable change in a wide range of public or private industries.
When you graduate, you'll be well-equipped for a variety of careers such as:
- Land Use Planner
- Heritage Conservation Officer
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Eco-Tourism Developer
- Policy Analyst
- Environmental Lawyer
- Community Land Use Consultant
- GIS Technician