Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Exploring human and environmental landscapes through scientific research and transformative classroom teaching.
A side shot of a door in the McNally building framed by flowering bushes.
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Exploring human and environmental landscapes through scientific research and transformative classroom teaching.

Geography is the study of the Earth's surface, and of the spatial distribution and patterns of its physical and human characteristics. Geographers study how natural and cultural processes work to create distinct spaces, places, landscapes, and regions.

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies is in the Faculty of Arts but is also represented in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. We offer courses that are organized in four groups: Human Geography (A), Physical Geography (B), Techniques (C), and Integrative (D). Course descriptions can be found via the Geography Courses link in the page menu.

Saint Mary's University offers Geography undergraduate programs (Major, Honours, Minor, and Concentration) as part of both a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree (including Major and Honours in Combined Geology and Geography), as well as a Master of Arts in Geography program. Links in the page menu lead to a more detailed overview of our undergraduate programs or to full descriptions of our undergraduate and M.A. in Geography program requirements.

The department also contributes strongly to the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (B.E.S.) degree program offered through the Faculty of Arts, and faculty members may supervise students in the M.A. in Atlantic Canada Studies, M.A. in Global Development Studies, and M.Sc. in Applied Science programs.

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies is a part of the Saint Mary's University School of the Environment.

Students sit looking toward an unseen presenter
Interested in studying Geography or Environmental Science at Saint Mary's?

Visit the Future Students website to learn about admissions requirements, important application dates, life at SMU and more!

Learn more and apply
Students sit looking toward an unseen presenter
Interested in studying Geography or Environmental Science at Saint Mary's?

Visit the Future Students website to learn about admissions requirements, important application dates, life at SMU and more!

Learn more and apply
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