Have you ever wanted to learn how the environment has shaped human development or vice versa, how human development has shaped the environment? Do you want to better understand climate change in light of recent events?

If so, consider a course in the Department of Geography and the Environment.

As the name suggests, this department boasts a variety of classes that dig deep into the connection between human development and the environment, across time and across the world. Not only are many of its classes accessible for students in almost any faculty because of their few prerequisites, they also offer an interesting and relevant way for students to get those often elusive quantitative credits.

One of the two main introductory courses, “GEOG 1102 – Physical Geography,” is a great option for those curious about climate change, with the added bonus of having the quantitative attribution. In this class, students will learn about the atmosphere and weather, as well as gain practical map-reading skills, and much more. It can be considered an introduction to climate change learning.

Students who have an interest in history would enjoy the class “GEOG 2250 – The City,” which is available for anyone who has already taken at least nine credits in any field and is offered in the upcoming Spring 2022 semester. Students will gain an understanding of the way “spatial and temporal” factors are unique in cities across history and the world, applying a localized focus on the geography of Vancouver.

The class “GEOG 2390 – Quantitative Methods in Geography,” which, obviously, counts as a quantitative course, simply requires a student to have already taken at least 18 credits worth of classes in any field. Not only will a student taking this course become familiar with the computer programs used by professionals, they will also gain valuable skills in analyzing and visualizing data, which can be applied in a variety of occupations. The next time this course will be available is Fall 2022.

After the tragedies caused by the flooding in B.C. this last week, many are wondering just how climate change progressed to this point of disaster. Right here on our website you can find “GEOG 1160 – Geography of British Columbia”, which will be taught by John Martin online this Spring 2022 semester, has no prerequisites and will offer insight into the climate here in B.C. If you want to know how the landscape of this area allowed for such devastating flooding, this is the course for you.

Another course that considers a different angle of the topic is “GEOG 2310 – Climatology,” where students will discover meteorology’s connection to ongoing learning about climate change. This class is also available in the Spring 2022 semester.

David Sadoway’s “GEOG 4501 – Current Geographic Issues: Mobilities, Livability & Climate Change” is another Climate+ Challenge course you’ll find here. In this class, which only requires 45 credits already taken in any field, you’ll learn about ways public transportation will operate in a future that’s free of carbon emissions, and how it can be achieved.

Many of the upper-level Geography and the Environment courses only require that students take one of the two introductory courses: “GEOG 1101 – Human Geography” or “GEOG 1102 – Physical Geography.” However, for students in the fields of economics, sociology or political science, introductory level courses in those departments will be all you need to access certain upper-level Geography and the Environment courses.

If a student is drawn in by the mix of courses offered so far, they would certainly enjoy the aptly named “GEOG 4350 – Climate Change,” a class that drills down into many aspects of climate change in the past and present, as well as offering ways to calculate the future of our climates. This course will be offered in Summer 2022 for anyone who has already taken 45 credits as well as a couple prerequisites, but interested students can contact the instructor, Joe Koch, for exceptions and other options.

Any student who cares about climate change, or is curious about it, will find that Geography and the Environment has something for them. As we persevere through this climate disaster, knowing about the challenges and successes of the struggle so far is beneficial for anyone.

For a complete list of GEOG courses, click here.

To explore what courses will be offered in the upcoming semesters, click here.