Graduate Course Descriptions and Instructors 


Introduction

Here you will find a list of all graduate courses in Geography.  The current scheduling is listed on a companion page which further describes the program's course regulations. 

+ = co-taught e.g.,  Ashmore + Dodson ; or = typically taught by first listed

Graduate Courses (click table headers to sort) (confirm availability with instructors)

# Title and Description Instructor
9998 Philosophies of Geography (mandatory for MA/Sc and PhD)
Introduces students to the diversity of philosophical and theoretical approaches within Geography. Students learn how different paradigms guide geographical research practice, and thus how to locate their own research within a wider intellectual and disciplinary context.
This course is restricted to Geography students only.		 Dodson & Van de Wiel
9099 Research Design and Presentation (mandatory for MA/Sc)
Research design is a practical course leading towards the production of a provisional thesis proposal and a public presentation of the proposal.  The logical structure of proposals and the substance of the arguments are reviewed and rehearsed across a broad spectrum of research design strategies.
 
This course is restricted to Geography students only.		 Moser
9102 Research in Physical Geography
Research in physical geography including philosophies, methods, new developments and example case studies. Students will lead seminars on assigned topics or based on their current research.
 
  
9103 Environmental Monitoring
Approaches to characterising the environment are explored through principles of monitoring strategies and practicalities of instrumentation. Practical experience in design, development, testing and deployment of environmental sensors. A practical report on environmental monitoring is expected, usually directly related to planned thesis research.		  
9104 Environmental Change
The physical, chemical and ecological aspects of environmental change, both natural and anthropogenic.  An overview of the techniques used to determine environmental change, recent environmental history and a deeper understanding of the contributions of this research to identifying the mechanisms and impacts of global change.		  
9105 Environmental Modeling
This course concerns the practicalities, possibilities and limitations of numerical simulation of environmental processes.  The course provides a basic understanding of numerical algorithms for environmental processes and their implementation in spatial and temporal dimensions.  While directed at physical environmental processes, the course may be applicable to those working in other areas.
 
  
9106
Development Geography
In this course we will wrestle with the historical context, key political economic processes and institutions, and conflicting theories that fall under the rubric of development and its modern sister, globalization. In addition, we will see that ‘thinking geographically’ about development involves understanding how the meaning of places and regions are socially constructed, and how theoretical and conceptual frameworks about development have been debated. We aim to be sensitive to regional differences based on historical experiences and geographical particularities, but give attention to overarching themes and dominant political economic processes.                       
                                                                                        
 
9107 Environment and Health
The conceptual frameworks for environmental health research and policy analysis.  Appraisal of methods of deriving and substantiating evidence in environment and health research. Approaches to environmental health policy formulation and the uses of evidence in the environmental health policy arena.
Luginaah
9108 Qualitative Methods
This course introduces students to epistemological issues that distinguish qualitative from quantitative methods and provides an overview of several of the main types of qualitative research methods. It also considers ethical issues and data analysis and management challenges that are associated with qualitative research. Students will use the knowledge that they gain in this course to write a research paper.		 Baxter
9109 Geography of Migration
Trends, patterns and processes of migration, drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives to examine migration flows in a number of international contexts. Particular attention is paid to the development impacts of migration as well as to emerging transnational migrant practices.
                                                                                             outline		 Dodson
9110 Introduction to GIS
Introduction to fundamental concepts, techniques and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  This is an entry level course for students who wish to apply GIS to their own research. Students gain hands-on experience using the ArcGIS software and develop problem solving skills.
 Malczewski
9111 Advanced Spatial Analysis
GIS-based visualization, exploration and modeling of point patterns, spatially continuous data, area data and spatial interaction data. Emphasis is placed upon applications of spatial analysis in urban and economic geography.
 
  
9113 Quantitative Methods
The basics of statistical procedures to more advanced multivariable analysis are provided.  Non statistical methods such as network analysis, linear programming, multidimensional scaling and clustering are also examined.  Emphasis is placed on the when and why of applications. 		 
9114 Urban Studies
An examination of social and physical characteristics of the function and evolution of cities at multiple scales and  perspectives. A critical examination of everyday urban issues,  theories, conceptual frameworks and research methods in geography, and cognate disciplines.
                                                                                            outline		 Gilliland
9115 Urban Social Cultural Geography
An examination of classical and contemporary literature on the social and cultural processes and practices underlying the forms, designs and social practices of urban built environments.		 Hopkins
9116Indigenous Health
In this seminar-based course, we will critically examine key determinants of Indigenous health, including basic concepts, theories, methods and ethical issues outlined in the contemporary Indigenous health literature.
Richmond
9117Urban Geography of the Developing World
An examination of physical, economic, and social characteristics of cities in the developing world in global and historical context. A critical examination of planning ideologies, principles, and recent global processes that have shaped and continues to shape the character of cities in developing countries as well as their outcomes.
Arku
9118Policy Formation and Futures: Critical and Analytical Approaches
This course is an advanced seminar on policy formation and policy futures. There is long-standing interest in policy development beginning with agents and influencers, adoption and development, implementation and outcomes and to some extent policy evaluation. This course takes a critical and analytical approach to understanding and analysing policy formation and futures focused in particular on public policy.
 
 
9119 Monitoring of Riverine Systems
Contemporary riverine principles are explored in the context of the development and execution of riverine monitoring.  Methods of monitoring the physical, chemical and ecological status of rivers will be discussed with labs providing opportunities for practical

experience in popular monitoring techniques.  A presentation and formal written report detailing the findings of a review of an ongoing riverine monitoring program of the student’s choice is expected.
                                                                                          outline

Yates
9200 Advanced Studies in Physical Geography
A generic course to cover specialised topics not covered in the other physical specialty courses and offered as needed.
 various faculty

 
9300 Advanced Studies in Environment Development and Health
A generic course to cover advanced studies topics not covered in the other EDH specialty courses and offered as needed.
 various faculty
9332 Environmental Hazards
Scientific and social perspectives on the human impact of weather, storms, temperature extremes, floods and droughts. Environmental change response strategies such as warnings, adaptation, mitigation and recovery.
 
  
9334 Environmental Policy
Environmental issues, especially environmental change and climate as dealt with through science, controversy, assessment. The role of the media; science-to-policy impacts on humans and ecosystems; international and national policy considerations; and environmental organizations.
 McBean
9400 Advanced Studies in GISc
A generic course to cover advanced studies topics not covered in the other  GISci specialty courses and offered as needed.
 various faculty
9418 Remote Sensing
An in-depth study of current algorithms in remote sensing digital image processing and analysis. Topics may vary depending on students’ interests, such as hyperspectral data analysis,
textural analysis, object-oriented classification, radar data processing and analysis, change detection, structural pattern recognition and integration with GIS.                                  outline		 Wang
9500 Advanced Urban Studies
A generic course to cover advanced studies topics not covered in the other urban specialty courses and offered as needed.
 various faculty
9518 Advanced Cultural Geography
The course examines the production, practices and interpretations of culture, the major cultural markers of identity - e.g., class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, body --- and the roles of space and power therein. The primary goal is to encourage the students to develop, question, critique and apply these concepts and this literature to his or her research interests. Course content is largely student driven by their own interests and his/her needs as perceived by the instructor. Students are encouraged to suggest topics and specific readings as the term progresses.                                           		Hopkins
9600 Advanced Studies
A generic course to cover advanced studies topics that would not fall under any of the other "Advanced Studies" course topic  (i.e. 9200,9300,9400,9500).
 various faculty
*F+W: this course spans two terms but counts as one course (roughly every other week)

Questions?

Please contact the Graduate Administrator with any questions regarding the graduate program.

Phone: 519-661-2111, Ext. 85033;

Email: GeoGradAdmin@uwo.ca