If you are interested in the relationships between the environment and society and want to learn about landscapes and people, consider studying geography. Geography is about place and space. It studies the interdependence among regions, natural systems, physical features, society, and cultural activities. Using a “spatial” perspective, it aims to form a coherent understanding of Earth and its environments and physical landscapes using technologies such as aerial photographs, satellite imagery, geographic information systems, as well as extensive field work and surveys.

Geographers explore questions such as: How was the current physical landscape created (e.g., volcanoes, glaciers, rivers), what led people to inhabit these areas (e.g. access to natural resources, climate, growing populations) and how have these processes shaped human culture? Now that humans can significantly alter the natural environment (e.g. dams, water quality, habitat alteration), how do these changes affect people’s habits? How do these changes to the natural environment affect other physical processes and species?

Geography students will learn by doing, rather than just reading. Many of our core courses have strong field and lab components, giving students practical experiences to develop skills that will make them attractive candidates for future employers.

Students also have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience through Applied Topics courses, using their academic training in geography for a project on or off campus. Others work closely with faculty to pursue their interests in a specific field of geography in a Directed Studies or Honours Thesis course.

People with geography skills apply what they know successfully in a wide variety of fields. Our recent graduates have embarked on careers in urban and regional land use planning, conservation and resource management, mapping, geographic information systems and remote sensing, parks and recreation, teaching and research. They have found employment with the City of Brandon, Conservation and Water Stewardship, Agriculture Canada, and Parks Canada.

Special Features
The Department hosts the Centre for Geomatics, which is a dedicated computer lab with facilities for geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and cartography, as well as the John Tyman Map Library, housed in the John E. Robbins Library. The Map Library holds paper and digital mapping products such as topographic maps and is the only National Map Depository in Manitoba outside of Winnipeg.

To further specific interests, the Department offers a Geomatics Concentration and an Environmental Studies Concentration.

Sample of Available Courses
Intro to Physical Geography Urban Geography GIS I & GIS II
Canada: A Regional Geography Geomorphology Environmental and Resource Issues
Human Geography Biogeography Rural and Small Town Canada
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Water Resources Soil Water Dynamics

Contact Information
Brandon University
Department of Geography
Phone: 204-727-9677
Email: geography@brandonu.ca

Department web address: https://www.brandonu.ca/Geography/