Geography and the Environment

Certificates in Extended Studies in Science: Physical Geography

Extended Studies certificates will allow graduates with a Bachelor degree from a recognized university to complete further coursework to meet the requirements of a physical geography major of a physical geography minor, or graduates from UFV with a Bachelor degree in geography to complete an honours degree for honours certification.

Entrance requirements

Extended Studies in Science: Physical Geography major

1. Completion of a Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized university.
2. A minimum of 18 credits in geography courses, including GEOG 101, 102, or 103 (or equivalents) and GEOG 111 or 140 (or equivalent) and a cumulative GPA of 2.33 or higher.
3. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Extended Studies in Science: Physical Geography minor

1. Completion of a Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized university.
2. A minimum of 7 credits of lower-division Geography courses, including one of GEOG 101, 102, or 103 (or equivalents) and either GEOG 111 or 140 (or equivalent), and a cumulative GPA of 2.33 or higher.
3. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Extended Studies in Science: Physical Geography Honours

1. Completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in physical geography from UFV.
2. A minimum of 18 credits in Geography courses, including one of GEOG 101 or 102 (or equivalents) and either GEOG 111 or 140 (or equivalent), and a cumulative GPA of 2.33 or higher.
3. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

When to apply

Applications to the Extended Studies in Science will be accepted on a twice-yearly basis: starting on or after August 1 for the following January and on or after October 1 for the following September.

How to apply

Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply.

Additional documentation required:

1. Transcript showing completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Geography as per the entrance requirements. If transcripts are being sent directly from the institution(s) attended, please indicate that they are on order. To retain your original application date, order early so that transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date your application is mailed or submitted.
2. A letter of intent stating the option for which you are seeking admission (e.g. Extended Studies in Science: Physical Geography Honours), your professional and personal reasons for applying to the program, whether you intend to complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis, and, if known, the specific courses you anticipate taking. If necessary, the department will call applicants for an interview to assess their particular needs. Admission will be granted on the basis of the Geography and the Environment department's ability to meet the student's needs. The number of applicants accepted to the extended studies programs may be limited.

Program requirements

Extended Studies in Science: Physical Geography major or Physical Geography minor

1. Completion of specific program requirements for the Physical Geography major or Physical Geography minor.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in:
   • All courses/credits attempted.
   • All Geography courses/credits.
   • All upper-level courses/credits.

Extended Studies in Science: Physical Geography Honours

Students completing an Extended Studies certificate in the Bachelor of Science, Physical Geography Honours program, must meet the same requirements as all other students enrolled in this program. These include:

1. Application to the Honours program through the department. This application is in addition to that made to the university for admission. Application guidelines for the honours program are available through the department and on the department website at ufv.ca/geography. Students should check with the department prior to application to the university to ensure that they have the minimum requirements for the honours program.
2. A minimum CGPA, upon entry and completion, of 3.3 in the program.
3. Completion of 120 credits in total.
4. Completion of STAT 315, GEOG 354 GEOG 491 (or accepted 400-level substitute; see Honours program requirements for eligible list), and GEOG 493. Each honours student is assigned a supervisor with whom they will work in completing GEOG 491 and 493.
5. Completion of 12 upper-level credits in a single, related field outside Geography. These may already have been completed as part of the Bachelor of Science degree.

Registration order

Students admitted to extended studies in Science certificate programs will be scheduled along with degree students, according to UFV's Order of Registration policy (95).

Residency requirement

Credit for some of the courses may be obtained at another university. However, 50% of the upper-level requirements must be completed at UFV.

Graduation

A program plan will be created for all students, outlining the required courses to complete the program approved at the time of admission. Once admitted to the Geography and the Environment department, the student will be advised and approved for graduation by an Advisor. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the program plan is followed and all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with the UFV Bachelor of Arts Advisor. Any changes to the program plan must be approved by the Advising Centre and the Geography and the Environment department.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Additional fees for course field trips and miscellaneous lab materials will apply to all students enrolled in Geography programs.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.

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