Program Requirements
**This program is currently not offered.**
The Doctor of Philosophy in Geography; Environment is a research-based program offered in collaboration with the Bieler School of Environment (BSE). The program focuses on the role of science in informed decision-making in the environmental sector, and its influence on political, socio-economic, and ethical judgments. The thesis must be on a topic that relates to both the environment and geography.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (6 credits)
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ENVR 615 Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through a series of modules on current environmental and sustainability issues, this course emphasizes the value and challenges of an interdisciplinary approach by examining how different fields can work together to address these issues.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructors
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GEOG 631 Methods of Geographical Research (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : General research seminar in human and physical geography.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: McKenzie, Grant; le Polain de Waroux, Yann (Fall) McKenzie, Grant; le Polain de Waroux, Yann (Winter)
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GEOG 700 Comprehensive Examination 1
Overview
Geography : An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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GEOG 701 Comprehensive Examination 2
Overview
Geography : An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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GEOG 702 Comprehensive Examination 3
Overview
Geography : An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
3-6 credits chosen from:
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ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies.
Terms: Summer 2025
Instructors: Umana-Kinitzki, Carmen (Summer)
Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fourth lecture day.
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ENVR 614 Mobilizing Research for Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through workshops and practice, students will develop communication strategies and acquire collaboration and leadership skills to foster innovation and help translate knowledge into action to address complex environmental and sustainability issues. Students will learn methods, build skills, and develop mindsets that can enable their research to have an impact on the most pressing issues in sustainability.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructor
0-3 credits chosen from:
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ENVR 585 Readings in Environment 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Interdisciplinary literature project/essays related to environment, enabling advanced-level study under guidance of Environment faculty in areas outside the scope of individual departments.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025
Instructors: Lovat, Christie (Winter)
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ENVR 630 Civilization and Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Considers ways to reduce the human impact on Earth's life support systems through variables such as population size, wealth, technology, and conduct. Critically describes ethical frameworks for judging personal and policy choices, including post-collapse scenarios.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
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ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: students taking the Neotropical Environment Option.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor
or 3 credits at the 500 level or higher recommended by he Advisory Committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee.
0-3 credits of Geography course at the 500 level or higher selected according to the guidelines of the Department.
