Studies in Geography

Welcome to the Geography Department at Nipissing University

We offer the following degree options

Geography is the interdisciplinary study of our world, its physical characteristics like water, landforms, vegetation and climate as well as the relationships between people and the environment. You can choose between one of our three Geography degree options. The Bachelor of Arts in Geography provides a solid foundation in physical and human geography with a focus on the cultural, economic, political, and social influences. The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Geography concentrates on the causes and effects of various environmental issues. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Physical Geography focuses on geography as an earth science and integrates mathematics, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics with geography-specific courses.​​

Certificate in Environmental Management

Honours Geography students can pursue a Certificate in Environmental Management in addition to their degree. The certificate provides students with a strong background in the basic premises, theories and practices associated with environmental management. It also provides students with an insight into the ways in which management can be employed to mitigate a wide range of environmental problems.

Certificate in Geomatics

Honours geography students can pursue a Certificate in Geomatics in addition to their degree. The certificate provides students with a strong background in several areas of geomatics including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, spatial computing, surveying and mapping, and global positioning systems.

Certificates available to all Nipissing students

students collecting hydrology data

Geography Facilities

Environment Monitoring Network

Nipissing University's Department of Geography, in partnership with the Northeastern Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (NEOSCIA), has set up three weather stations in north eastern Ontario to monitor weather conditions for local farmers and students. The weather stations are currently located in Verner, Temiskaming Shores (New Liskeard), and Sturgeon Falls.

Nipissing University Geography Club

Dedicated to enhancing the social and educational well being of geography students at Nipissing University, North Bay.

Guidelines for Honours Thesis Students

Academic Support Services

Our goal is to support your academic and personal development. Look for assistance with accessibility services, learning style assessments, writing skills, writing formats, study strategies, time management, note-taking skills, academic resources, group seminars, peer support, career development activities, and more. Learn More...

Financial Support Services

Achieve your goals on time and on budget. We’ll help you fund your education through scholarships, awards, bursaries, government assistance, and work study programs. Learn More...

Scholarships, awards, and bursaries for students in Geography programs

Internationalize your Degree

If you want to experience a year or a semester at one of our partner schools across the globe, we have support services and programs to help you get there. If you want to assist International students with adjusting to life in Canada, we’ll connect you. Check out your options...

Personal Counselling Services

Our registered counsellors offer free, year-round personal counselling services, specialized therapeutic groups, referral services and a host of wellness, educational and awareness events to all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Learn More...

Residences

Our top-rated residences will make you feel right at home. You will make fast friends with your residence community. Our student leaders, Residence Dons, and award winning residence staff give tutorials on everything from the basics of laundry and cooking to making connections within the community. Learn More...

“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Confucius

Experiential learning is an effective medium that enhances and reinforces classroom learning. In addition, skills and competencies in the areas of communication, teamwork, analysis, work ethic, and problem solving are all learning outcomes that assist with finding the right career path for you.

Third and fourth year Arts and Science Students will be interested in our 3 credit course, UNIV 3006 Experiential Learning for Arts and Science Students. Within this course, academic assignments and at least 60 hours of placement in the community within a field that is related to your course of study is offered.

Experiential Learning Program for Arts & Science Students (ELAS) 

The Experiential Learning for Arts & Science Program (ELAS) is an exclusive project between Student Development & Services, the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce (NBDCC) and the Faculty of Arts & Science. This project focuses on providing students with hands-on learning experiences directly related to their academic interests. 

With a strong emphasis on learning competencies, the ELAS immerses students with enriched learning opportunities that focus on the development of professional skills resulting in confident, successful and highly employable graduates ready for the workforce. 

The ELAS program provides support for Arts & Science students to participate in activities such as: 

  • Conferences and speakers 
  • Site visits and field trips 
  • Work placements 

When it comes to experiential learning at Nipissing University, you have lots of choices. Let us help you navigate your options, so you can find the best fit for your personal and professional goals, as well as your schedule.  

Visit nipissingu.ca/academics/ELAS for more information.

Leadership and Community Engagement

If you are eager to get involved beyond the classroom, take part in the annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which gives you the opportunity to present your work to peers, professors, and family members. You may also have opportunity to work as a Research Assistant to help a professor conduct research and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Record of Student Development

Your experience at Nipissing University is more than just the time spent learning great things in lectures, labs, and seminars. It’s also about the activities you are involved in outside of the classroom, the causes you champion to make change on campus, the clubs you organize, the awards you receive, the workshops you participate in, the volunteering you do, and all the learning that occurs outside of the classroom. 

The Record of Student Development (RSD) is Nipissing University's way of recognizing that learning is happening everywhere on campus. It is a formal record, otherwise known as a co-curricular transcript, where you can include workshops, volunteer experiences, awards, activities, and on campus employment experiences that you participate in throughout your degree. 

Each RSD Approved activity in our database is linked to competency areas employers are looking for such as:    

  • Critical Thinking 
  • Leadership  
  • Digital Literacy  
  • Equity and Diversity 
  • Emotional and Interpersonal Intelligence 
  • & more!  

To see the full list of competencies and get started building your Record of Student Development go to: rsd.nipissingu.ca

Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU)

Students attending Nipissing University in North Bay and long distance students are members of the Nipissing University Student Union. Our organization strives to represent students democratically, provide a communication framework, and lobby for legislative change on issues that affect students.

Athletics

Exercise and healthy competition always help to clear the mind.

INTRAMURAL SPORTS

Nipissing’s Athletics Department offers a wide range of intramural activities to keep you on your game

LAKERS CLUB SPORTS

Club sports are available to all Nipissing students and are both recreational and competitive.

VARSITY SPORTS

Go Lakers! Our varsity athletes always bring their “A” game. Get your friends together and come out to cheer on your favourite teams.

STUDENT ATHLETICS CENTRE

Whether you are a gym enthusiast or a weekend warrior, Nipissing has just what you need.

Acting Chair

Full-time Faculty

Adjunct Professor

When I first started thinking about university I had planned on studying geography at a much larger university because I thought it would be a better fit for me. After visiting the Nipissing campus, I knew I was wrong. The small class sizes coupled with the highly qualified and helpful professors has made my choice to attend Nipissing University the best decision I have ever made.

Alyssa Stewart Geography/BEd, 2016

The most amazing characteristic of attending a post-secondary institution is that it opens many doors and provides opportunities that you never expect to receive. One of the most life-changing opportunities the Geography Department provided me was the chance to work as a research assistant during the summer. I was lucky enough to gain 3 years of in situ research experience in collaboration with many profs, master and undergraduate students as well as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). After completing my undergraduate degree and using the data I collected during the agricultural summer project I worked on, I decided to expand my knowledge in remote sensing applications, write and complete my thesis in the Master of Environmental Science Program.

Stephanie Rhude Environmental Geography, 2015

As a large and diverse area of study, your career choices with a Geography degree are vast. You might eventually pursue work as an oceanographer, pollution control inspector, paleontologist, water inspector, meteorologist, urban and land use planner, seismologist, or mapping technologist…just to name a few! Our students have also gone on to very successful careers with government agencies and private businesses as conservation officers, geomatic technicians, land use planners, policy advisors, and researchers.

Many students decide to continue onto graduate-level Masters and Doctorate degrees, while others enter professional schools like law and teaching. The sky’s the limit!

Career and Academic Options

  • Graduate Studies
  • Professional School (Education, Law, MBA)
  • Careers in natural resources, hydrology, urban planning, environmental consulting, climatology, geomatics, and transportation planning