UVic Geography alum Patrick Robinson (centre) will be keeping his smartphone close this summer while he parachutes into BC's remote backcountry to fight fires. During a co-op work term with GeoBC, he developed a new mapping app to help make the work of "smoke jumpers" more efficient and potentially safer. Photo: Russ Hepburn
News article
With field schools and lots of opportunities for hands-on learning, you'll never get stuck at your desk. Geography field study courses foster experiential learning and other ways of knowing, both locally and around the globe. Photo: Measuring a salmon smolt, Indigenous Knowledge Field School 2019, Kear Porttris
Field schools
Study what you're passionate about and make a difference in the world around you with our flexible programs—out in the community, on campus, in the field, or in the lab. Geography bridges the gap between science and humanities, integrating fields like economics, ecology, political studies, urban design, resource management, human health, and climatology.
Undergraduate
Our graduate program engages with the community through place-based, experiential research. MSc student Becky Segal works with Arctic communities to identify sea ice conditions that impact on-ice travel safety, then translates satellite remote sensing datasets to maps and image products that help northerners plan livelihood activities.
Graduate
Our students get relevant work experience through the co-op program. Work terms can take place in the public and private sectors, with many opportunities based in local, provincial, or federal government departments. Rachel Stewart-Dziama was a Parks Canada interpreter in Ucluelet during one of her co-op terms.
Co-op education
Dr. Maycira Costa and her research team have created the first historical digital map of BC’s coastal kelp forests to investigate the loss of kelp. The new reference map will help address questions related to the habitats of salmon, herring, and many other species that rely on kelp for protection and food. Photo: Vancouver Island bull kelp, Nick Norman
ResearchGeography asks how we impact the natural world and how it impacts us. We view problems from multiple perspectives, including physical science, social science and humanities approaches.
Our students gain the specific set of tools needed to solve new and complex challenges in the environment and in the world around us.
Want to understand how human-environment interactions impact the world? Looking for hands-on learning opportunities in the field?
Why geography at UVic?
Our programs
Applying to UVic
