Course Listing

Examines the spatial organization of human activity, the significance of places in human life, and people's relationships with their environments. It includes study of people, their origins, culture, technology, economy, and impact on the environment. Field work.

An examination of the atmospheric, tectonic, and geomorphic forces that shape Earth's physical environments. Issues addressed include soil conservation, groundwater resources, and climate change. Field work. Prerequisite for all science courses in Geography. Excludes GEOG 1050H.

Introduces students to the landscape, peoples, and issues of the circumpolar region. Beginning with an examination of the geography, biological, and physical systems of the Subarctic and Arctic, the course then turns to the Indigenous and contemporary peoples of the region.

Introduces students to the study of rocks and minerals, including their description, classification, and origin. Rocks and minerals of environmental (e.g., human health) and economic importance are emphasized. Practical laboratory exercises enable students to become proficient at identifying rocks and minerals using physical and optical properties. Prerequisite: GEOG 1040H or permission of instructor. Excludes EGEO-GEOG 3000H.

Cross-listed: EGEO-2001H

An interdisciplinary enquiry into the function and idea of the land in Canadian traditions. Themes may include Aboriginal rights, settlement, sources of land law, post-colonialism, regionalism, urban/rural conflict over natural resource extraction and waste disposal, sustainability, environmental racism, energy, climate change, and representations of land and landscape in literature and the visual arts. Prerequisite: 3.0 university credits. Students may take only one of CAST-ERST-GEOG-INDG 2040Y or 2041H for credit.

Cross-listed: CAST-2041H, ERST-2041H, INDG-2041H

This course meets the Indigenous Course Requirement.

In an age of economic dysfunction, social injustice, climate change, and myriad other impasses, this course investigates modes of knowing 'the land' in Canadian society that includes understandings that balance the pragmatic, objective, rational, and technological in relation to contemplative, creative, and emotional facets of human being. Prerequisite: 3.0 university credits. Excludes CAST-ERST-GEOG-INDG 2040Y.

Cross-listed: CAST-2042H, ERST-2042H, INDG-2042H

This course meets the Indigenous Course Requirement.

Covers commonly-used statistical tools in Biology, Geography, and Environmental & Resource Science. Lectures address basic statistical methods and background theory. Workshops involve computer-based assignments providing practical experience in statistical application. Prerequisite: One of GEOG 1030H or 1040H or 1050H; or ERSC 1000Y; or both ERSC 1010H and 1020H; or both BIOL 1020H and 1030H; or BIOM 1000H.

Cross-listed: ERSC-2080H, BIOL-2080H

Introduces the fundamentals of GIS technology and applications. The essentials of GIS structural components, spatial data models, and the analytical GIS operations on such data models are examined in detail. Experience with GIS analysis is gained through laboratory exercises. Prerequisite: One of GEOG 1030H or 1040H or 1050H; or ERSC 1000Y; or both ERSC 1010H and 1020H; or both BIOL 1020H and 1030H. Elementary or intermediate-level experience with microcomputers and their operating systems is desirable.

Cross-listed: ERSC-2090H

Examines the concepts, contexts, and methods for studying recreation geography, including historical and theoretical perspectives on recreation; the demand for recreation; the supply of land, facilities, and services for recreation; and the economic, environmental, and social impacts of recreation and tourism. Prerequisite: GEOG 1030H.

Explores the lands and environments that define the Circumpolar region and identifies the key issues involving interaction between humans and their environments, examining climate change and its impacts on landscapes, biodiversity, and ecological systems. Provides a broad foundation for the study of circumpolar peoples, economies, landscapes, communities, and adaptation to climate change.

Cross-listed: ERST-2320H

Provides students with an in-depth understanding of the key issues which define the future of resources and resource use in the Circumpolar North. Focuses upon the challenges of resource management for governments and communities, and assesses the potential conflicts derived from resource use. Prerequisite: GEOG 1045H and GEOG-ERST 2320H, or permission of the instructor.

Cross-listed: ERST-2330H

Environmental geology examines the interactions between society and the geologic environment. This course begins with an introduction to the fundamental geologic processes and Earth materials, and then focuses on the most pressing geological issues of today including fossil fuel and mineral extraction, natural hazards, climate change, water resources and waste disposal. Prerequisite: GEOG 1040H. Excludes GEOG 2400Y (240)

Cross-listed: ERSC-2401H

A study of the physical elements of the global climate system. Deals with global and synoptic climatic processes including the structure of the atmosphere, radiation, atmospheric dynamics, general circulation, and the oceans. These concepts are applied to an introduction to the problem of climatic change and its prediction. Prerequisite: GEOG 1040H or ERSC 1000Y or both ERSC 1010H and 10220H.

An interdisciplinary and comparative analysis of the impact of transformations in the world food system on contemporary agrarian societies. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits or permission of instructor. Excludes IDST-ANTH 2210Y.

Cross-listed: IDST-2500H, ANTH-2500H, SAFS-2500H, SOCI-2500H

Focuses on social science methods used in geographical and environmental research contexts. Methods examined include surveys, content analysis, interviews, focus groups, participatory action research, and community-based research. Prerequisite: ERSC 1000Y or both ERSC 1010H and 1020H; or minimum of 60% in GEOG 1030H and in one of GEOG 1040H or 1050H.

Cross-listed: ERST-2510H

Uses case studies to examine the principles and processes that control the distribution and uses of water at global, continental, and watershed scales. Prerequisite: GEOG 1040H and one of GEOG 1030H or ERSC 1000Y or both ERSC 1010H and 1020H.

Cross-listed: ERSC-2530H

Addresses a selection of sedimentary processes that create a variety of features observed at the surface of the earth. Emphasis is placed upon understanding and quantifying sediment production and transport. This knowledge is then extended to the interpretation of arid, coastal, and fluvial landforms. Prerequisite: GEOG 1040H or ERSC 1000Y or both ERSC 1010H and 1020H.

In cities, flows of people, money, information, and commodities intersect and are accompanied by economic, political, social, and cultural change. This course examines the transformation of contemporary North American cities by global chains of activity. Prerequisite: GEOG 1030H or SOCI 1002H (or 1000Y) or both ECON 1010H and 1020H.

Cross-listed: CAST-2710H

Explores the geography of Canada and its peoples and places. Examines the development of Canada's cultural landscapes and regions, and the social, economic, and political development of the Canadian nation-state. Canada's geography is explored as an east-west nation under increasing pressure from globalization and new national agendas. Prerequisite: GEOG 1030H.

Cross-listed: CAST-2810H

Students learn essential field skills including designing a field study, mapping, and measurement techniques. The geology of Central Ontario and its mining industry are examined along with the potential for environmental impacts. Most instruction takes place during required field trips with students documenting their work in technical reports. Prerequisite: EGEO-GEOG 2001H or GEOG-ERSC 2401H or permission of instructor. Excludes EGEO-ERSC-GEOG 2000H.

Cross-listed: EGEO-3003H, ERSC-3003H

Focuses on Geographical Information Systems and analysis in the vector data domain (discrete object representation). It examines the fundamentals of spatial database development and the main analytical operations in vector. Practical application through laboratory exercises with examples from the urban and rural environment is a major component. Prerequisite: ERSC-GEOG-BIOL 2080H and ERSC-GEOG 2090H. Not open to students in the GIS Application Specialist Joint Program with Fleming College.

Cross-listed: ERSC-3010H

Provides an applied understanding of the practice of Geography with an emphasis on the development of local geographical knowledge in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Prerequisite: 9.0 university credits including GEOG 1030H; one of GEOG 1040H or 1050H; and two of GEOG-BIOL-ERSC 2080H, GEOG-ERSC 2090H, GEOG 2110H, or GEOG-ERST 2510H.

Students majoring in Environmental & Resource Studies/Science may only take one of ERSC-ANTH-GEOG 3175H or 3185H as an ERSC credit.

Cross-listed: ANTH-3175H, ERSC-3175H

Students majoring in Environmental & Resource Studies/Science may only take one of ERSC-ANTHGEOG 3175H or 3185H as an ERSC credit.

Cross-listed: ANTH-3185H, ERSC-3185H

Explores Indigenous peoples and the contemporary urban environment using a four directions analytic framework and the metaphor of city as home. Excludes INDG 3200Y.

Cross-listed: INDG-3201H

Explores Indigenous peoples' issues and experiences in selected urban environments in Canada and the world. Excludes INDG 3200Y.

Cross-listed: INDG-3202H

Selected themes and topics examining the relationship between gender and spatial organization. Themes include the nature of domestic space; gendered use of public, private, and urban space; and the intersections between gender, sexuality, racism, and cultural difference. Prerequisite: GEOG-CAST 2710H or 2810H; or 1.0 WMST credit at the 2000 level or beyond; or permission of instructor.

Cross-listed: WMST-3220H, CAST-3220H

An examination of the fundamental concepts of wilderness, including the history, planning, and management of wilderness resources with special reference to parks and protected areas in Canada and across the North. Prerequisite: GEOG 2310H or GEOG-CAST- ERST-INDG 2041H and 2042Y (or 2040Y) or both ERST-CAST 2520H and 2525H or ERST 2570H.

Cross-listed: CAST-3330H, ERST-3330H

A critical perspective is used to explore the geographies of tourism-related industries and workplaces and the social and environmental impacts of tourism in urban and rural settings. Special attention is given to the Canadian experience. Prerequisite: GEOG 2310H.

Cross-listed: CAST-3370H

Develops a basic appreciation of the most important contemporary challenges surrounding governance and politics, social issues, education and knowledge systems, and global issues in the circumpolar regions of the North. It explores the complexity and inter-relatedness of governance, social policy, gender, indigeneity, and law.

Cross-listed: ERST-3390H

Emphasizes physical and geographical aspects of different ice forms and their implications for human and biological activity. Measurement of snow and ice are studied in practical laboratories. Some field work during the Reading Week is expected. Prerequisite: 9.0 university credits including GEOG-BIOL-ERSC 2080H and one of GEOG 2440H or 2460H or 3440H, or permission of instructor.

Focuses on the physical mechanisms of flows of energy and mass between the earth surface and the atmosphere. A discussion of the principles of energy exchange is followed by their application to near surface environments. Prerequisite: GEOG-BIOL-ERSC 2080H and one of GEOG 2460H or 2540H. Excludes GEOG 2440H.

The principles of glaciology. Topics to be covered include glacial landforms and landscapes, particularly those of southern Ontario; quaternary history with illustrations of the principles and uses of radiocarbon dating, isotope ratio analysis, and pollen analysis; and the causes of Ice Ages. Prerequisite: One of GEOG 2400Y, 2401H, 2540H, 2560H, or 3520H.

Study of the movement of water through the environment with emphasis on terrestrial aspects including interception, infiltration, soil moisture, groundwater, surface runoff, and stream-flow, also covering human impact on hydrological processes. Prerequisite: 9.0 university credits including GEOGBIOL- ERSC 2080H and one of GEOG 2440H, 2460H, 2540H, or 3440H.

Examines the morphology of rivers and river systems and relationships between process and form. Topics to be covered include erosion, transportation, and deposition of sediments; channel morphology, the drainage basin as a geomorphic unit; and human impact on river morphology. Field work. Prerequisite: GEOG-BIOL-ERSC 2080H and one of GEOG 2400Y, 2401H, 2540H, 2560H, or 3520H, or permission of instructor.

Soils represent one of the most important natural resources from the point of view of sustainable agriculture and forestry, and protection of habitat. This course explores the scientific basis and management options for conservation of soil resources. Prerequisite: ERSC 2210H or ERSC 2240H or GEOG 2400Y or GEOG 2401H or GEOG 3520H or both GEOG 2540H and 2560H. Recommended: ERSC-GEOG-SAFS 3560H.

Cross-listed: SAFS-3560H, ERSC-3560H

An advanced treatment of sedimentary processes that occur in a wide range of environmental contexts inclusive of benthic, coastal, and dryland systems. An emphasis is placed upon field and laboratory techniques for measurement, and on case studies. Prerequisite: One of GEOG 2400Y, 2401H, 2540H, 2560H, or 3520H, or permission of instructor.

Study of selected aspects of the Polar regions with considerable reference to northern Canada but with the deliberate intention of developing comparisons between it and other parts of the Polar regions. Prerequisite: GEOG 1030H and one of 1040H or 1050H, or permission of instructor.

Cross-listed: CAST-3640H

Examines the main planning principles which govern the economic, social, and physical development of cities and regions. Topics to be covered include national, provincial, regional, and municipal policies and their impact on urban and rural systems; historical development of planning in North America; and planning in North America; and planning as a profession. Prerequisite: GEOG-CAST 2710H.

Cross-listed: CAST-3710H

This interdisciplinary course challenges traditional conceptualizations and representations of Canadian cities as the antithesis of wilderness. Topics include the history of urban development, urban improvements, and urban green spaces; impacts of modernist suburban development on the urban form; rejections of modernist urban planning; and the value of an ecosystem approach to planning for urban sustainability. Prerequisite: GEOG-CAST 2710H or GEOG-CAST-ERST-INDG 2041H and 2042H (or 2040Y) or both ERST-CAST 2520H and 2525H or ERST 2570H.

Cross-listed: ERST-3720H, CAST-3720H

Studies rural-urban land conflicts occurring in the areas surrounding major cities, the problems arising from these conflicts, and the types of policy required to resolve them. A particular focus is the impact of urbanization on the countryside in Canada. Prerequisite: GEOG-CAST 2710H or SOCI 1002H (or 1000Y) or both ECON 1010H and 1020H.

Cross-listed: CAST-3760H, ERST-3760H, SAFS-3760H

Studies the relationships between health, place, and space. Traditional perspectives on the spatial dimensions of diseases, health inequalities, and health care services ("medical geography") and contemporary place-based perspectives on health, care, and wellbeing ("health geography") are examined with specific reference to global trends, vulnerable populations, and (un)healthy environments. Prerequisite: One of GEOG-CAST 2710H or 2810H; or a minimum 60% in all required 1000- and 2000-level NURS courses.

Cross-listed: NURS-3820H

A placement experience with a government agency, industry, or non-governmental agency, or related laboratory or work unit, on themes and principles learned during coursework associated with the Environmental & Resource Science/Studies, Geography, or Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems programs in the School of the Environment. Students work closely with the instructor and placement host to determine deliverables that will be presented to various stakeholders as technical report(s) and/or presentation(s). Prerequisite: A minimum cumulative average of 75% and 9.0 university credits including both ERSC 1010H and 1020H, or both GEOG 1030H and 1040H, or both SAFS 1001H and 1002H.

Cross-listed: ERSC-3890H, ERST-3890H, SAFS-3890H

A research course on a specific topic. Open only to Geography majors or joint-majors. Prerequisite: 9.0 university credits and a minimum average of 75% in GEOG courses. Written permission must be obtained from supervising instructor and the TSE director before registration.

A research course on a specific topic. Open only to Geography majors or joint-majors. Prerequisite: 9.0 university credits and a minimum average of 75% in GEOG courses. Written permission must be obtained from supervising instructor and the TSE director before registration.

Design, implementation, and dissemination of a major research project in human or physical geography featuring independent work under the supervision of a faculty supervisor. GEOG 4020D is a double credit in Geography. GEOG 4010Y is a single credit because the same thesis is submitted to the other program in a joint-major. Prerequisite: 14.0 university credits and a minimum average of 75%. Students must find a faculty member who is agreeable to supervise their project. Applications are available from the TSE office, and should be submitted in the academic year before enrolment in the course. Excludes GEOG 4030Y, 4400Y, 4700Y.

Design, implementation, and dissemination of a major research project in human or physical geography featuring independent work under the supervision of a faculty supervisor. GEOG 4020D is a double credit in Geography. GEOG 4010Y is a single credit because the same thesis is submitted to the other program in a joint-major. Prerequisite: 14.0 university credits and a minimum average of 75%. Students must find a faculty member who is agreeable to supervise their project. Applications are available from the TSE office, and should be submitted in the academic year before enrolment in the course. Excludes GEOG 4030Y, 4400Y, 4700Y.

Examines the chemistry of freshwater systems. Chemical and physical processes that lead to changes in water quality are discussed. The emphasis is on the concentrations and distributions of contaminants. Topics include watershed contributions of chemicals, acidification and the carbonate system, weathering, redox chemistry, trace materials, and synthetic organic contaminants. Prerequisite: ERSC 2230H or ERSC-CHEM 2620H (or 2600Y).

Cross-listed: ERSC-4060H, BIOL-4060H

Discusses approaches to predicting the fate of contaminants in aquatic systems. Basic assumptions and algorithms of fate models for toxic metals and organic xenobiotics are examined and students get hands-on experience in applying recent models to case studies. Prerequisite: ERSC-GEOG-BIOL 4060H.

Cross-listed: ERSC-4070H, BIOL-4070H

Examines the nature, occurrence, and movement of water in soil and groundwater systems. Physical and chemical aspects of groundwater are addressed, and the use of field techniques and mathematical models in the study of groundwater movement and contamination are emphasized. Prerequisite: 2.0 GEOG Category D credits including GEOG 3530H, or permission of instructor. Strongly recommended: Grade 12U Calculus and Vectors. Excludes GEOG 3550H.

An examination of cities and urbanization in a global context. Explores the metropolis and the global economy, urban inequalities, poverty, work, violence, marginalization, housing, the environment, and urban struggles. Comparative case studies are used. Prerequisite: 14.0 university credits including 1.0 IDST or GEOG credit at the 2000 level or permission of instructor.

Cross-listed: IDST-4130H

An interdisciplinary inquiry into social, political, institutional, and technical change as it relates to climate and energy policy. Themes for inquiry include policy and technology innovation and low-carbon energy transitions. Efforts are made to translate theory into practical action and intervention through community-based study.

Cross-listed: ERST-4140H

Examines plant nutrition, soil fertility, and fertilizer management, with a focus on essential macronutrients. Topics include biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphur in crop production. Sustainable management of nutrients for optimum productivity and minimum impact on the environment will be discussed. Prerequisite: GEOG-ERSC-SAFS 3560H.

Cross-listed: SAFS-4270H, ERSC-4270H, BIOL-4270H

Integrated ecosystems management is the focus of this course. It deals, first, with the methodological and practical aspects of watershed assessment, planning, decision-making, and management. Then, it examines comparatively the management of watersheds in the developing world, introducing students to strategies for planning and managing watersheds through case studies. Prerequisite: 10.0 university credits including ERSC 2210H or 2240H or ERSC-BIOL 2260H or both ERST-CAST 2520H and 2525H or GEOG 2540H and one of 2560H or 3520H.

Cross-listed: ERSC-4640H

Students examine the fundamental concepts of scientific research, including the role of research in managing environmental issues. A range of topics will be covered through guest seminars, group discussions, and an individual research project. In the project, students evaluate the scientific literature on an emerging environmental issue of their choosing. Prerequisite: Two 3000-level ERSC courses and a minimum cumulative average of 75% in ERSC/ERST courses. Excludes ERSC 4702Y.

Cross-listed: ERSC-4703H, WASC-4703H

Design, implementation, and dissemination of a major research project in applied human or physical geography with an emphasis on community-based research. Requires independent or team-based research, either through a placement arranged by the Trent Community Research Centre at the request of a community group, government agency or business, or under the auspices of the Geography Program. Prerequisite: 14.0 university credits including 2.0 GEOG credits in Category C and/or D. Open only to students pursuing a single- or joint-major Honours degree in Geography. Excludes GEOG 4010Y, 4020D, 4400Y, 4700Y.