Degree Maps : Faculty Humanities and Social Sciences : Memorial University

2024 - 2025

GEOGRAPHY

Upcoming Courses | Calendar | Department | Advice | My Degree Tracker

Geography is the study of the earth’s surfaces and their relationship with the world’s cultures. At Memorial, geography aims to teach students how to investigate environment systems from human and physical perspectives by examining the integration of nature and spatial organization of the world. The department of geography aims to teach students theories, methods and analytical techniques applicable to a wide range of questions and broad spectrum of occupations and to foster a spirit of inquiry about geography. Research in geography at Memorial encompasses both local and international interests, such as but not limited to the Arctic, coastal governance, electronic waste, Labrador highlands, marine habitat mapping, northern mining, and urban pollution history.

See the "My Degree Tracker" link above, for a suggested pattern of course sequencing for this major.

	Year One	Year Two	Year Three	Year Four and Beyond
STUDIES	To earn a Bachelor of Arts you must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours including the following degree components: core requirements, major or honours program, minor or second major, and electives. Work towards the completion of the BA's core requirements. Record your progress in the degree tracker. Ideally you should declare your major program by the end of the winter semester. Before you do, meet with an HSS academic advisor to review your intended degree requirements. Students who are not declared in an HSS major program (by the last day of exams for the winter semester) will not be eligible for the HSS Dean's List or HSS scholarships.	Finalize the BA core requirements (CRW, LS, and QR). Declare your second required program (minor or second major). Consult Undergraduate Program Directors and the Calendar, including the general undergraduate academic regulations and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences regulations. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. Why not consider: applying for admission to an honours program or Co-op (if available). supplementing your degree with a certificate or diploma. Request an official degree audit when you complete 60 credit hours of course work.	Cross-check your degree advice with the University Calendar regulations, contact your department for information about honours program regulations/requirements. Check your Departmental web page for ongoing research. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. If interested in pursuing a Masters program, discuss this with your department. Request an official degree audit when you complete 90 credit hours of course work.	Ensure all BA core requirements have been fulfilled. Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program. When completing your final courses you must apply to graduate as per the steps to graduate web page. Make sure you apply before the deadlines posted on this web page. If you plan to attend convocation, keep an eye on the Convocation FAQ web page for information on registering for convocation (requesting tickets, booking academic dress, etc.).
STUDY TIPS	Begin your degree workplan with the Academic Advising Centre Be an active student; carefully examine your course syllabus, attend class, participate, ask questions, and visit instructors during office hours Improve your writing skills, avoid plagiarism, and maintain academic integrity with the help of the Writing Centre in SN 2053 Study tips, individual, and group counselling are available at the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre Seek support for disabilities, illness, mental health, and injuries through Accessibility Services The Academic Success Centre is a resources hub created to help students succeed Explore the study tips for years two through four - any tip is always helpful	Update your degree workplan with your academic advisor Complement your degree with certificate and diploma programs Explore scholarships and funding Understand rules through the Student Code of Conduct Do you have more than 60 credit hours? Get an official degree audit Have questions about your official degree audit? Follow up with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Registrar at arts_registrar@mun.ca Avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity Check out the Department of Geography's current research Utilize MUN's Map Library for all your cartographic needs	Request a final official degree audit after winter semester to ensure you are on track for graduation Have questions about your official degree audit? Follow up with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Registrar at arts_registrar@mun.ca Seek advice from instructors about graduate or professional schools Consider grants for graduate or professional studies in the fall Be mindful of application deadlines for professional and graduate schools everywhere and apply early Approach your instructors for academic references for future academic and professional endeavors Take advantage of other research resources	In September - if you have not had an audit within the last 3 semesters, request one now. The audit will ensure you are on track for graduation Finalize applications and academic references for professional or graduate school Graduation process: Apply to graduate before the deadlines posted in the graduation menu of your Self-service account
CAREER	Pondering your future career interest? Student Life offers career advice. Consultations with an experienced career advisor as well as professional development events are available. Current students can book a Career advising appointment through Navigate. Explore career interests with Career Cruising Learn how to build a professional resume/CV Gain experience by getting involved on campus and in the community.	Learn about the career versatility of the BA through BA Professional: A Career Conversation Series. Watch episodes on demand to hear from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences alumni on how to build a successful career. Explore on-campus and summer jobs through MUCEP, ISWEP, and SWASP for exposure to research and administration Attend fall Career and Graduate School Fair and Summer Job Fair Meet up for career conversations, gain a better understanding of what careers are available with your degree and develop your networking and communications skills, in-person or online through the Meet Employers sessions.	Explore career interests related to your major(s). Seek opportunities to network in your community. Attend employer networking events such as Coffee and Connect Contact Student Life for Career planning advice. Ask about the Externship program. Get tips for your interview, or book a mock interview through Student Life. Check out the Peter Gzowski Internship Apply for a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement - micro-placements program (5 or 10 days) available to all full-time and part-time undergraduate students at Memorial.	Prepare for life after graduation. Attend the Career and Graduate School Fair in the fall semester Have your resume/CV critiqued by a Career Advisor. Check out the Graduate Transition to Employment Program (GTEP) Utilize the various Career Resources available through Student Life. Student Life is also available to alumni. Review the Graduating Student Handbook.
INVOLVEMENT	Register and attend the HSS welcome event Join the Geography student society (MUGS) Attend departmental and society events Explore on- and off-campus volunteer opportunities through the Student Volunteer Bureau Attend the Get Involved and Volunteer Expo (GIVE) in the Fall Record your involvement in Memorial’s Online Record of Experience (MORE), an experiential tracking tool that provides students with the ability to record and capture their various co-curricular experiences	Attend departmental and HSS events Register for the VIP (Volunteer Incentive Program) Explore MUNSU services and resource centres Join clubs and societies Explore leadership programs through Student Life Join the HSS online communities on X, Facebook, and Instagram	Continue with previous involvement opportunities Seek opportunities to attend academic conferences through the department or the Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) Create your own club or society through MUNSU ratification Consider running in MUNSU general elections	Think globally about your academic involvement through the Canadian Cartographic Association (CCA) Complete your Volunteer Incentive Program through the Student Volunteer Bureau Finalize your Memorial’s Online Record of Experience (MORE)
GO ABROAD	Consider Learning Abroad and develop a plan with the go abroad coordinator Explore Harlow Campus opportunities Attend the Global Opportunities Fair in the fall or winter to explore study/work/volunteer opportunities Discuss funding options for academic travels with the go abroad coordinator Explore international exchange programs	Review your plan with the go abroad coordinator Meet with department advisor to ensure you are academically on track to study abroad Know application deadlines and apply early	Prepare for departure with the go abroad coordinator Attend pre-departure orientation Complete pre-departure checklist and reflection Make the most of your travel experience; become a Memorial student leader	Unpack your go abroad experience Attend go abroad debrief and participate in a reflection Add international experience to your resume/CV Seek additional opportunities to work, volunteer and/or study abroad
WELL BEING	Well-being is integral to long-term student success. At Memorial we offer resources designed to maintain your health and equilibrium, and promote academic success. If you're in distress or crisis reach out for help • Become aware of supports available through the MUN Safe app - it is your direct line to a safer Memorial University. If you need a doctor, go to Student Wellness and Counselling Centre • Health and Dental insurance is offered through MUNSU • Foster well-being through online and in-person supports • Open the conversation about sexual harassment • Be a money smart student - know your finances, if you are in need, emergency loans and the campus food bank are available • The Works offers scheduled fitness programs and workout facilities • Living on-campus? Check out residence life • Living off-campus? Check out Off-Campus housing • Be safe with safedrive • Visit Wellness and Chaplaincy during exams • Still have questions? Checkout the wellness videos or talk to a counsellor.

Janelle Skeard was born and raised in central Newfoundland. This gave her a good understanding of the issues facing rural communities, and showed her the importance of community development and the role that natural resource development plays in community survival. She completed her BA in 2012 and her MA in 2014 (both at Memorial) and currently works with Women in Resource Development Corporation whose mandate is to increase the number of women working in trades and technology careers. Her title is research coordinator, but she also does evaluation and program facilitation. Her job requires her to take on several different roles and work with a wide variety of people.

What would your undergraduate self think of your current job?
She would be so surprised!! Not only do I lead research projects, I'm also a program facilitator. I actually spend some days in a workshop teaching high school girls basic carpentry and electrical so that they can build and wire their own lamp over the course of a day. I never dreamed I would work with my hands. I really feel like I have the best of both worlds.

What was your biggest challenge when arriving at university and how did you address this?
I came from a community of approximately 60 people (and a graduating class of nine), so moving to St. John's and attending university was extremely overwhelming. I remember arriving at the lecture theatre in the science building for my first psychology class with hundreds of other students and it was such a culture shock for me that I didn't know how I would get through my degree. I wouldn't say I "addressed" the problem, but I learned how to manage my anxiety. Thankfully, all my other courses had far fewer students, so I was able to meet people and make friends. This definitely mitigated the anxiety of that first semester.

What resources did you use while at Memorial?
I took advantage of every free service I could find! The Writing Centre was awesome and so helpful for essay writing. I also took advantage of any scholarship or award I could apply for. I was successful on a number of occasions and actually left Memorial with a BA and an MA debt free.

Did you ever meet with advisors, faculty or staff while a student?
Absolutely. I highly recommend getting to know your professors and fellow students. It was extremely helpful for me in figuring out which direction I wanted to go in. Geography is quite a broad area, so speaking with professors and other students allowed me to make more informed choices when it came to my education.

How did your extracurricular activities (on and off campus) influence your success?
I was so lucky to be able to be a part of The Vagina Monologues for a couple of years. Becoming involved with that production and the associated V-Day activities definitely strengthened how I view myself and the world around me. I learned a lot about working with others for a common goal and becoming more aware of the issues facing marginalized groups. I was also the vice-president of MUGS (Memorial University Geographical Society) for a year. This made me more organized and efficient - skills any employer values.

Was there an experience you had during your university years that influenced or put you on a path to your current career?
When I was in grade 11, I enjoyed geography, but never thought about pursuing it. During my first year at Memorial I kind of took a geography class on a whim. There, it was a couple of professors who really instilled my love of geography. Arn Keeling showed me the importance of human geography and the social sciences, particularly in the context of mining communities (which led to my MA project). Kelly Vodden (now at Grenfell) was one of the few women in the department and took me under her wing, giving me my first job as a research assistant, and teaching me about community development. They showed me that geography was important in understanding so many things about the world, from politics to natural resource development. Meeting these two people truly put me on the career path I pursued, and they were both my supervisors for my graduate degree.

What advice do you have for undergraduate students?
Get as much work experience as you can, as early as you can. If you have the chance to work as a research assistant during your degree, do it! You will learn so much while doing it - not only about the topics you're working on, but also how to effectively manage your time. Actually, if you're given any opportunity that can make you a better person, always take it. Speak to people, be it faculty, staff or other students. This will give you such a great perspective and really help you figure out what you want to do in life. Take advantage of all the services that are available to you: get your essay looked over at the Writing Centre, speak to advisors, find events that serve free pizza on campus. And while you're at it, apply for all the scholarships you can. Finally, take a geography course. You live in this world - learn about it!

Make sure that you are preparing for your future but do it in a way that you get to study things that genuinely interest you.

by Sophie St. Croix - BA ’09, Classics (Memorial), Juris Doctor 2013, Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie), currently an associate at Roebothan McKay Marshall (St. John's)