In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires the following:
Master of Geographic Information Systems
Thirty units (5.0 full-course equivalents) must be completed while in the program. At least 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) of these must be at the 600 level or higher; the remaining 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) may be at the 500 level. These will include:
a) Three core courses in Geographic Information Sciences in the areas of Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis and Geographic Information Systems:
Geography 633 Research and Applications in Remote Sensing
Geography 639 Advanced Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Geography 647 Advanced Research and Applications in Geographic Information Systems
Each course assumes that the student has two undergraduate courses in the areas of Remote Sensing, analytical methods in Geography (or inferential statistics) and Geographic Information Systems, respectively.
b) Two research-based courses related to the area of Geographic Information Science:
Geography 681 GIS Project: Theoretical Issues
Geography 683 GIS Project: Application
These courses will be on a topic mutually agreed upon between the student and the supervisor. The first course will be concerned with gathering information and literature on the research topic and will provide a critical assessment of this literature. This will be written up as a course paper that will equate to the literature review chapter of a traditional thesis. The second research course will be concerned with carrying out a program of analysis in the chosen research area using the Geographic Information Science tools discussed in the core courses. The final paper produced for this course will equate to the analysis and discussion chapters of a traditional thesis.
c) Fifteen units (2.5 full-course equivalents) of additional courses chosen by mutual agreement between the student and the supervisor. These courses will support the student's chosen research project and understanding of the Geographic Information Sciences.
The MGIS program may be completed on a full-time or a part-time basis.
Master of Arts, Master of Science
a) Twelve units (2.0 full-course equivalents) in a two-year period, including History and Philosophy of Physical or Human Geography, and at least one graduate-level methods course in Geography.
b) Four semesters of Geography 601 (Graduate Research Seminars). Students may be exempted from a portion of this requirement by the Graduate Program Director.
c) An approved thesis proposal completed within the first year of the program.
For detailed information on courses and program requirements please refer to: .
Full-time status is expected. In some situations thesis programs may be completed on a part-time basis with approval from the Graduate Program Director.
Doctor of Philosophy
a) Six units (1.0 full-course equivalent) during the first two years in program, including History and Philosophy of Physical or Human Geography.
b) Four semesters of Geography 601 (Graduate Research Seminars). Students may be exempted from a portion of this requirement by the Graduate Program Director.
c) An approved thesis proposal completed within the first 20 months of the program.
d) A candidacy exam completed within the first 24 months of the program.
For detailed information on courses and program requirements please refer to: .
Full-time status is expected. In some situations thesis programs may be completed on a part-time basis with approval from the Graduate Program Director.
Program Descriptions