Geography, Planning and Environment Courses

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Permission of the EA Graduate Program Director is required.

Description: This course aims to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge related to environmental assessment and its role in project planning and policy development. The evolution of environmental assessment (EA), its current practices and functions, and future directions are discussed. The roles and components of EA and EA procedures in Canada (at both the federal and provincial levels) are emphasized. Guest speakers, regular readings and in-class discussions supplement the lectures.

Component(s): Seminar

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Permission of the EA Graduate Programme Director is required.

Description: This course introduces students to environmental law and policy at the international, North American and regional levels with an emphasis on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool for promoting environmentally sound and sustainable development. The course provides an overview of issues such as environmental security, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), banking and environmental finance, access to justice in environmental decision making, climate change, biodiversity, and green growth. The role of international organizations and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) is given particular attention.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Permission of the EA Graduate Program Director is required.

Description: This course provides an overview of the International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and guidelines for industry to implement a sound Environmental Management System (EMS). These guidelines are outlined in a series of publications designated as ISO 14000. Topics covered will include: the evolution and benefits of EMS, the ISO 14001 principles, integration between ISO 9001 and 14001, the registration process, auditing an EMS, life cycle assessment, and environmental labelling. Upon successful completion of the course, students are encouraged to pursue formal accreditation.

Component(s): Seminar

• Students who have received credit for this topic under an ENVS 505 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Permission of the EA Graduate Program Director is required.

Description: Students gain an understanding of the internship process and acquire information necessary to prepare for the work involved in securing an internship. Workshops on professional development help students prepare for and secure internship placements, and enhance their report writing and oral presentation skills. The course includes four workshops: 1) Internship requirement and timeline, 2) Resumé writing and interview techniques, 3) Writing of final report and preparation for oral presentation, and 4) Basic concepts of project management. Students are required to assess the written internship reports and oral presentations of their peers.

Component(s): Workshop

• The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Description: This course focuses on selected topics within the discipline. Topics vary to permit investigation of current and developing theories and research areas.

• The content will vary from term to term and from year to year. Students may re-register for this course, provided the course content has changed. Changes in content will be indicated by a letter following the course number, e.g. ENVS 620A, ENVS 620B, etc.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Permission of the EA Graduate Program Director is required.

Description: This course focuses on methods and issues in data collection and analysis appropriate for impact prediction in the abiotic, biotic and built environment, including air, surface and ground water, soil, landscape, biodiversity, noise, cultural and socio-economic conditions.

Component(s): Seminar

• Students who have received credit for ENVS 662 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Permission of the EA Graduate Program Director is required.

Description: This course examines the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Environmental  Assessment (EA), particularly focusing on the role of GIS in the analysis of environmental data and in decision-making processes. Topics covered include data acquisition multi-criteria decision analysis, fuzzy sets and interpolation techniques. The course comprises lectures, lab exercises and case study analysis. The instruction is built around a series of practical exercises mainly using industry-standard GIS software. The objective of the course is to provide a sound theoretical and practical background in the use of geospatial technologies for EA applications.

Component(s): Lecture; Laboratory

• Students who have received credit for ENVS 663 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Permission of the EA Graduate Program Director is required.

Description: The goal of this course is to expose students to practical issues related to Environmental Assessment (EA). The course comprises: (1) in-class preparation meetings followed by (2) a one-week in-field experience. During this week, students meet practitioners and individuals from local communities, industries and/or governments involved in EA. Through these interactions, students are exposed to a diverse range of perspectives and experiences related to EA. The course is validated through an assessment of the knowledge acquired during the trip. Students are responsible for the cost of food, accommodation and transportation associated with the one-week field trip (cost varies depending on destination).

Component(s): Field Studies

• Students who have received credit for ENVS 662 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Permission of the EA Graduate Program Director is required.

Description: Development projects are often located on or adjacent to Indigenous territories with significant impacts on their lands, lives and cultures. As such, Indigenous peoples require unique consideration within EA frameworks which should respect Indigenous and treaty rights, including international commitments (e.g. UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and court rulings related to: (1) Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for development proposed on Indigenous lands; and (2) the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in decision-making. This seminar course surveys recent developments in these areas and explores the potential of EA to contribute to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada (and elsewhere).

Component(s): Seminar

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must have completed all course work (27 credits) prior to enrolling. A minimum GPA of 3.30 and permission of the department are required.

Description: This internship consists of a four-month placement in sectors such as industry, government, or non-government organizations (NGOs), where Environmental Assessment (EA) work is being undertaken.This course provides experiential learning and the development of professional skills and enhances understanding of academic and theoretical knowledge.

Component(s): Practicum/Internship/Work Term

• This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
• Students work with the Internship Coordinator to obtain a placement and all placements are subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director. The Graduate Program Director attribute the credits earned for this course dependent on the internship contract dates and the corresponding academic term dates.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Permission of the Department is required.

Description: The internship report is the equivalent of a graduate seminar paper. It is theoretically grounded, and includes a critical analysis of or reflection on some feature(s), or case study emerging from the internship activities. Students are required to present their topic orally, in addition to submitting a written report.

Component(s): Practicum/Internship/Work Term

• This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
• Students who do not successfully complete this course may request to graduate with a Diploma in Environmental Assessment.

Description: This course provides an extended, in-depth exploration of the relationships and roles of Indigenous peoples with respect to their traditional territories and natural resources. Indigenous ontologies and epistemologies are highlighted in addition to Indigenous aspirations and approaches for use and stewardship of the environment. The course examines theoretical and case-study literature, with a broad regional focus on Aboriginal peoples in Canada while also drawing from comparative international experiences of Indigenous peoples.

Description: This course focuses on selected topics within the discipline. Topics vary to permit investigation of current and developing theories and research areas.

• The content will vary from term to term and from year to year. Students may re-register for this course, provided the course content has changed. Changes in content will be indicated by changes to the title in the graduate course schedule.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Written permission of the graduate program director is required.

Description: A student studies a particular field or topic relating to geography, urban or environment studies. A detailed outline of the proposed study, approved by a study supervisor is required.

Component(s): Reading

Description: This course considers some of the foundational theories that inform contemporary research in the fields of Human Geography and Urban Studies. It also explores a spectrum of qualitative research paradigms, theories and advanced methodologies relevant to social science. of qualitative research paradigms, theories and methodologies relevant to social science.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course considers experimental design and advanced data analysis methods in Geography and Environmental Sciences. The course focuses on statistical analysis of quantitative data, using the R programming environment. Specific topics include data exploration and plotting, advanced statistical tests, linear regression, statistical model selection, non-parametric tests and mixed effects models.

Component(s): Seminar; Laboratory

Description: This seminar provides an opportunity to extend, deepen, and apply the conceptual and methodological frameworks presented in the core and elective courses, through a combination of classroom discussions and attendance at departmental research seminars. Students are taught research and presentation skills and are guided through the process of preparing their thesis research proposal. Students need to submit a written research proposal to their thesis research supervisor(s) as a requirement for this course.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This advanced seminar explores the different elements of what is broadly known as sustainable transportation. It considers the importance as well as the negative impacts of transport systems, and how these are described and captured methodologically. Of critical importance is the intimate link between land-use and transportation systems.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This seminar examines the impact of human activities on natural resources. Topics such as integrated management and exploitation practices, biodiversity and conservation, focusing particularly on forest and water resources from physical, chemical, biological, socio-economic, and technological perspectives are investigated.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: Human Geography is informed by a range of theories that have developed inside and outside the discipline. This course introduces students to some of the most influential of these theories as well as to theoretically-informed geographical literature. While students are exposed to foundational theories, the course focuses on critical geographical work that seeks to interpret the present moment.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course examines analytical methods for handling specifically spatial data, where the arrangement of observations in space is thought to be of significance. The emphasis is on the choice and application of appropriate methods for the analysis of various types of data that are encountered in Geography, Planning and Environmental Studies. Procedures for analyzing spatial distributions of phenomena, temporal dynamics and change are examined in relation to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools and statistical techniques.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: : By relying on an array of theoretical formulations informed by political economy, economic geography, urban morphology, urban sociology, anthropology and ecology, this seminar explores various social processes that contribute to the shaping and reshaping of our cities’ material and spatial forms.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course provides a basic understanding of the relationship between people and the urban environment. The focus is on the collective and individual responses of people to the built or designed environment, and the way in which these responses can be used to guide projects, plans and policies. The basic studies for the location of commercial facilities and the modelling of human spatial behaviour are introduced.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course explores the implications of economic globalization and neoliberalism for urban life in late capitalist (post-1970s) period. Drawing on literatures from the fields of planning, geography, and political economy, it focuses on how urban policies and services are being restructured and how these changes affect different social groups.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: The different approaches to modelling the bio-physical, built or human environment are examined. The conceptualization of simple models to examine how human interventions affect the environment is investigated. Different modelling approaches such as system models, computer visualization and simulation are covered. Students develop a model scheme related to their thesis topic.

Component(s): Lecture; Laboratory

Description: This seminar examines the interface between climate science, and the demands and challenges of developing sustainable human societies. Class discussions are oriented around current literature on topics such as the potential impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, strategies to enhance resilience and increase global equity in climate mitigation efforts, and opportunities to develop sustainable energy systems. The course also includes quantitative analysis and visualization of spatial change datasets.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course is designed to meet the special needs of individual graduate students. Topics vary to permit investigation of current and developing theories and research areas. Content involves presentation, discussion, and critical analysis of information from relevant scientific literature. The course will also take advantage of visiting expertise.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course examines the principles, practices and institutions involved in environmental conservation and management as well as the sustainable exploitation of natural resources. Topics include sustainability, the precautionary principle, social capital, adaptive capacity, common property resource theories, deliberative democracy, environmental justice and environmental conflict resolution. Attention is given to issues of scale, particularly the mismatch of spatial, temporal and functional scales that characterize unsustainable management and use practices.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course addresses the question of community participation in conservation and development initiatives. Focusing on the particular experience of local communities, it presents participatory concepts, principles, tools, and processes that have practical application to a broad range of contexts and settings.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: This course provides an overview of current research in environmental and related scientific disciplines. The course involves seminars, presentations, and critical analysis of scientific literature, including discussion of cutting-edge research topics in fields such as ecological restoration, biodiversity, climate change, renewable energy, food and water security, and natural resource conservation.

Component(s): Seminar

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

The thesis proposal should be completed before the end of the second semester of residency in the MSc program and after a minimum of 6 credits in the Program have been taken.

Description: Students are required to select their research topic and formulate a research proposal under the supervision of a thesis supervisor and with input from a thesis committee. The written proposal will include a sound rationale for the proposed research, a detailed description of the research design and methodology, and a comprehensive literature review. Students are also required to present an oral presentation of their proposal to the Department. The thesis proposal must be formally approved by the thesis committee and the Graduate Program Director before research activities can begin.

Component(s): Thesis Research

Description: This seminar introduces students to some important contemporary geographical approaches and topics in the study of society and culture. Specific themes may include globalization, migration, multiculturalism and diaspora, marginality, policing and imprisonment, and social movements. To provide a broad understanding of these themes, the course emphasizes analyses that draw upon geographical concepts of space, place, identity, and power.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: Students are required to demonstrate their ability to carry out original, independent research. The thesis, which will be researched and written under the direction of a supervisor and thesis committee, should normally not exceed 100 pages. Upon completion of the thesis, the student will be required to defend his/her thesis before an external examiner and his/her thesis committee.

Component(s): Thesis Research

Description: The objective of this course is to ensure that all PhD students acquire strong teaching and other communication skills which are useful for both academic and non-academic positions. Candidates are required to attend a seminar in university teaching in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning Services of Concordia University. Following the successful completion of this seminar, candidates are required to give four lectures (normally 75 minutes each) to undergraduate classes.

Component(s): Modular

• The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Description: The objective of this course is to ensure that all students acquire some practical experience in their field of research. Candidates are required to work for a minimum of 200 hours (either full-time or part-time) in either the private sector in a field relevant to their doctoral research, in a research laboratory based outside Concordia University, in a non-profit organization or in the government.

Component(s): Independent Study

• The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Description: Conceptual and methodological frameworks related to human interventions in the environment in the built, social and natural environment are examined through various student presentations and exchanges on their research topic. This course includes completion of the oral presentation of the research proposal.

Component(s): Seminar

Description: Students are required to select their research topic and formulate a thesis proposal under the supervision of a thesis supervisor and with input from a supervisory committee. The written proposal includes a sound rationale for the proposed research, a detailed description of the research design and methodology, and a comprehensive literature review. The thesis proposal is assessed by the supervisory committee and approved by the Graduate Program Director.

Component(s): Thesis Research

Description: The comprehensive exam is prepared in consultation with the supervisory committee and aims to ensure that the student has a sound knowledge of three areas of concentration within his or her field of research. The examining committee consists of the supervisory committee plus one additional member of the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment and is chaired by the Graduate Program Director. The student is evaluated on the quality of the written and oral responses to questions.

Component(s): Thesis Research

Description: A major portion of the doctoral program involves the planning and execution of innovative and original research under the direction of a supervisor or two co-supervisors. The thesis is examined by a Thesis Examining Committee and is defended orally.

Component(s): Thesis Research