Programs & Courses

The Department of Geography & Environment Delivers

The Department of Geography & Environment participates in the delivery of many exciting programs. Please click on the associated links below to find out more!

Geography (BA) / Geography(BSc)

The Department of Geography & Environment offers a major in Geography for the 40-course Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree programs. You can also opt for a general major in the social sciences or sciences and select Geography as one of the three streams. Alternatively, you can declare Geography as the BA major for the Combined BA/BEd or BA/BMgt programs or the BSc major for the Combined BSc/BEd or BSc/BMgt programs.

  • Bachelor of Arts: Explores the spatial organization of human development from social, economic and political perspectives.
  • Bachelor of Science: Investigates geography from earth, environmental and social science perspectives to better understand ecological changes and processes.

Note: In all geography degree programs above, you are also able to declare a concentration in GIS.

Agricultural Studies (BA/BSc)

You can complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agricultural Studies in one of two ways: by direct enrolment in the program or as a Post-Diploma BSc. In either program, you will be required to attend a Technical Studies Semester at Olds College (or an approved equivalent). This is typically taken in the spring of your third year and will include courses in soil, plant and animal science, as well as agricultural management.

  • Bachelor of Arts: The BA program is a theory-based, 40-course degree with two sub-fields: agricultural economics or general studies. This program focuses on topics like agricultural economics, agricultural geography, regional development, rural communities, public policy and environmental issues. You may also opt for a concentration in agricultural business.
  • Bachelor of Science: The BSc program is a comprehensive, science-based 40-course degree focusing on topics such as soils, irrigation, climate and geographical information science (GIS), as well as the sub-fields of biology or geography. You can also declare a concentration in GIS or agricultural business.
  • Post-Diploma Degrees: If you already have an approved college diploma, this two-year BA or BSc program will enhance your previous training with extensive theoretical knowledge. You may also declare a concentration in agricultural business (BA or BSc) or GIS (BSc only).

Archaeology & Geography (BA/BSc)

The Department of Geography & Environment offers a multidisciplinary major in Archaeology & Geography for the 40-course Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree programs. You can also opt for a general major in the social sciences or sciences and select Archaeology & Geography as one of the three streams. In all geography-based programs, you are able to declare a concentration in GIS.

  • Bachelor of Arts. In the BA program, you will explore archaeology and geography from a predominantly cultural perspective.
  • Bachelor of Science. BSc curriculum focuses on developing an in-depth understanding of the physical side of archaeology and geography, such as geomorphology, geology, GIS, human evolution and the scientific methods used in artifact analyses.

Computer Science & Geographical Information Science (BSc)

This multidisciplinary major is offered jointly by the Departments of Geography & Environment and Mathematics & Computer Science. It combines the technical and practical methodologies of GIS with the systems analysis and design skills from computer science to provide a strong foundation in this growing field.
Computer Science Degrees. You can complete a 40-course Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science & Geographical Infomation Science by direct enrolment in the program at the University of Lethbridge, or as a Post-Diploma BSc after completing an approved college diploma. By participating in either of these programs, you will gain a broad range of knowledge and experience in the field.

Environmental Science (BSc)

You can complete a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Environmental Science in one of two ways: by direct enrolment in the 40-course program or as a Post-Diploma BSc student. You can also choose to pursue a concentration in Geographical Information Science (GIS).

  • Bachelor of Science: The BSc in Environmental Science is a 40-course multi-disciplinary major. The program will provide you with comprehensive science-based training, complemented by one semester of technical instruction at Lethbridge College in your third year.
  • Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science: If you already have an approved diploma, this two-year program is for you. Its primary focus is to enhance your previous technical and practical training with extensive knowledge in the core sciences. You may also declare an optional concentration in GIS.

Remote Sensing (BSc)

The Departments of Geography & Environment and Physics & Astronomy offer a major in Remote Sensing for the 40-course Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree program. As a Remote Sensing student, you will study Geography, Environmental Science and Physics, as well as other topics focused on the field. You will also learn to record and interpret images using highly-specialized instruments, some of which are unique to the Remote Sensing program at the U of L.

Urban & Regional Studies (BA)

The Faculty offers a major in Urban & Regional Studies (URS) for the 40-course Bachelor of Arts (BA). Alternatively you can declare URS as the BA major for the Combined BA/BMgt program.