Honours in Geography

The Honours program in Geography is intended for students who want to pursue advanced studies in the subject at the undergraduate level, including the completion of an Honours Thesis research project. Honours in Geography can be completed in partial fulfillment of both B.A. and B.Sc. degree requirements.

To develop an understanding of the types and range of research topics that students have investigated for their Honours thesis, browse the archive of past Geography Honours theses.

A separate document about the program - Geography Honours Regulations rev Nov 2023 - is available for download.

Who Is the Contact Person for the Honours Program?

Honours in Geography Program Coordinator: Dr. Philip Giles (e-mail)

For information about Honours as part of a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree, contact the BES Program Coordinator (Dr. Jason Grek-Martin, email).

Why Do Honours?

These students should consider doing the Honours program:

Those who are interested in taking more geography courses than are required for a Major.
Those who are interested in developing a close working relationship with a faculty member by undertaking an independent thesis research project under their supervision and guidance.
Those who are considering applying for graduate programs, as most graduate programs either require or strongly recommend applying with an Honours degree.

What Distinguishes Honours from a Major?

The following characteristics make the Honours program distinct from a Major in Geography:

A total of 72 credit hours in GEOG courses; a Major in Geography requires 48 credit hours.
Completion of certain courses beyond the Major requirements.
Completion of GEOG 4526 Honours Thesis (6 credit hours).
Minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation with Honours.

What are the Admission Requirements for the Honours Program?

In order to be admitted to the Honours program, the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies the student must:

Have at least a B standing in geography courses and have obtained satisfactory grades in non-geography courses.
Have an agreement-in-principle with a faculty member for supervision of the Honours Thesis research project.(Possession of the minimum requirements does not establish the right of an applicant to be admitted to the program.)

What is the Admission Process for the Honours Program?

Download the Honours Application form from the Service Centre website. It may be submitted to the Department Chairperson (as indicated by the Service Centre) or directly to the Honours Program Coordinator.

How is an Agreement-in Principle With a Faculty Member Reached?

Follow these steps:

Reflect upon your research interests in geography.
Determine which faculty member (or members) work in the area(s) that most interest you.
Approach those faculty member(s) and express your interest in undertaking a thesis research project.
Discuss the possibilities and narrow down a research topic.

What is the Honours Thesis Proposal Development Seminar Series?

The department runs an Honours Thesis Proposal Development Seminar Series during the Winter term preceding the Honours Thesis year. The series consists of five seminar periods at two-week intervals spread throughout the term. Participants are led through the development of a thesis proposal from the starting point of having a basic idea about their intended research project. The series is designed for students to have their proposal be submitted for approval by April 30.

After receiving approval for their thesis proposal (but not before), students may proceed with their research in the summer (e.g., reading for the literature review; planning for an executing data collection).

Contact the Honours Program Coordinator no later than the beginning of the Winter term preceding your Honours thesis year to indicate your intention to participate in the seminar series.