Geography
The subject material of Geography is astonishingly diverse. Physical geographers study the natural world, with attention to features such as landforms, geology, climate, hydrology, and plant and animal life. Human geographers study the cultural world, examining the demographic, economic, political, and social elements of landscapes and human relations. Also of interest to geographers are topics such as natural hazards, resource management, and environmental problems, situated at the interface of the natural and cultural realms.
What ties these wide-ranging interests together in the discipline of Geography is a shared approach that emphasizes the importance of spatial concepts such as location, distance, direction, interaction, and place. It is a challenging but rewarding field. The study of Geography cultivates the development of a broad, but integrated, base of knowledge about the world around you, provides opportunities for more focused study through topical specialization, and develops your ability to collect, manage, interpret, analyze, and produce cartographic, statistical, visual, oral, and textual information.
For students interested in Physical Geography, please see the Associate of Science Degree in General Science within the Faculty of Science & Horticulture.
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Student Profile
Geography students have a hunger to learn about the environment around them and make it a better place. Stimulated by a variety of subjects, they are reluctant to sacrifice breadth of inquiry in the name of specialization, and find a home in a thoroughly interdisciplinary discipline spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Geography students capably collect, interpret, and present qualitative, quantitative, and cartographic information, becoming members of a discipline that synthesizes and applies this knowledge to help develop solutions to real-world problems, from climate change to homelessness.
Career Opportunities
Students graduating with a degree in Geography at KPU will possess a foundation of relevant subject knowledge, a diverse array of information-handling skills, and a flexible approach to career paths. They will be well-positioned for introductory employment in fields such as:
- Resource Management
- Environmental Consulting
- Urban Planning and Governance
- First Nations Governance
- Education
- Tourism
- Property Management
- Real Estate Development and Sales
- Marketing
Students may also pursue further graduate, technical, or professional education in Geography or related fields, resulting in enhanced opportunities for more advanced employment in the areas noted.