📖Introduction

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a leading Canadian institution located in Burnaby, British Columbia. With a mission to be Canada's most community-engaged research university, SFU offers a comprehensive range of programs across disciplines including arts, sciences, business, communication, engineering, health sciences, and more. SFU is known for its innovative curriculum, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to social responsibility. Students at SFU benefit from a supportive and inclusive learning environment, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a vibrant campus life surrounded by the natural beauty of British Columbia.

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📚About the Program

Have you ever wondered what happens when a landslide blocks a river valley or a threatens a highway? Do you want to know why our climate is changing and what our future climate will look like? Did you know that soil resources for food production are threatened? A Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography will have you exploring earth systems science by studying the interactions between air (atmosphere), water (hydrosphere), land (lithosphere) and the spaces where organisms live (biosphere). You will investigate the events that influence our lives and how we are altering the Earth’s environmental systems. You will tailor your studies to match your interests and career goals. You will be eligible for professional certification in the environmental and resource sectors. Show less
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📖Program Curriculum

Lower Division Requirements
COMMON REQUIREMENTS
All students, regardless of the stream they choose, will complete a total of 31-34 units, including all of

CHEM 121 - General Chemistry and Laboratory I (4)
EASC 101 - Dynamic Earth (3)
GEOG 100 - Our World: Introducing Human Geography (3)
GEOG 111 - Earth Systems (3)
GEOG 266W - Geography in Practice (3)
and one of

MATH 150 - Calculus I with Review (4) *
MATH 151 - Calculus I (3) *
MATH 154 - Mathematics for the Life Sciences I (3)
and one of

MATH 152 - Calculus II (3) *
MATH 155 - Mathematics for the Life Sciences II (3)
and one of

PHYS 101 - Physics for the Life Sciences I (3)
PHYS 120 - Mechanics and Modern Physics (3)
PHYS 125 - Mechanics and Special Relativity (3)
PHYS 140 - Studio Physics - Mechanics and Modern Physics (4)
and one of

GEOG 251 - Quantitative Geography (3) **
STAT 201 - Statistics for the Life Sciences (3)
STAT 270 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)
and one of

ARCH 286 - Cultural Heritage Management (3)
INDG 101 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3)
INDG 286 - Indigenous Peoples and British Columbia: An Introduction (3)
*Students in the geoscience stream must take MATH 150 or 151; and 152.

**Students pursuing the GIScience certificate are required to take GEOG 251.

BIOGEOPHYSICAL SCIENCE STREAM
The Professional Agrologist syllabus requirements of BCIA (British Columbia Institute of Agrologists) may be met through this stream. Students must choose elective courses in consultation with an academic advisor because BCIA has specific groupings of elective courses in its syllabus.

In addition to the common requirements shown above, students who choose this stream will complete 23 units, including

BISC 101 - General Biology (4)
BISC 102 - General Biology (4)
GEOG 221 - Economic Worlds (3)
GEOG 253 - Introduction to Remote Sensing (3)
GEOG 255 - Geographical Information Science I (3)
and one of

BISC 204 - Introduction to Ecology (3)
GEOG 215 - The Biosphere (3)
and one of

GEOG 213 - Introduction to Geomorphology (3)
GEOG 214 - Weather and Climate (3)
GEOSCIENCE STREAM
The Professional Environmental Geoscience syllabus requirements of EGBC (Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia) can be met through this stream. Students must choose elective courses in consultation with an academic advisor because EGBC has specific groupings of elective courses in its Environmental Geoscience syllabus.

In addition to the common requirements shown above, students who choose this stream will complete 27 units, including all of

EASC 201 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (3)
EASC 202 - Introduction to Mineralogy (3)
EASC 204 - Structural Geology I (3)
EASC 210 - Evolving Earth (3)
GEOG 213 - Introduction to Geomorphology (3)
GEOG 214 - Weather and Climate (3)
and one of

BISC 204 - Introduction to Ecology (3)
GEOG 215 - The Biosphere (3)
and one of

EASC 207 - Introduction to Applied Geophysics (3)
EASC 313 - Introduction to Soil and Rock Engineering (3)
and one of

GEOG 253 - Introduction to Remote Sensing (3)
GEOG 255 - Geographical Information Science I (3)
GEOSYSTEMS AND GISCIENCE STREAM
In addition to the common requirements shown above, students who choose this stream will complete 19 units, including both of

GEOG 253 - Introduction to Remote Sensing (3)
GEOG 255 - Geographical Information Science I (3)
and one of

BISC 101 - General Biology (4)
BISC 102 - General Biology (4)
and two of

GEOG 213 - Introduction to Geomorphology (3)
GEOG 214 - Weather and Climate (3)
GEOG 215 - The Biosphere (3)
and one of

GEOG 221 - Economic Worlds (3)
GEOG 241 - People, Place, Society (3)
GEOG 261 - Encountering the City (3)
Upper Division Requirements
BIOGEOPHYSICAL SCIENCE STREAM
Students who choose this stream will complete a minimum total of 36 units, including all of

GEOG 311 - Hydrology (4)
GEOG 317 - Soil Science (4)
and one of

GEOG 312 - Geography of Natural Hazards (4)
GEOG 385 - Food and the City (4)
REM 321 - Ecological Economics (4)
REM 445 - Environmental Risk Assessment (4)
and four of the following (at least one of which must be at the 400 division)

GEOG 310 - Physical Geography Field Course (4)
GEOG 313 - River Geomorphology (4)
GEOG 314 - The Climate System (4)
GEOG 315 - World Ecosystems (4)
GEOG 316 - Global Biogeochemical and Water Cycles (4)
GEOG 411 - Advanced Hydrology (4)
GEOG 412W - Glacial Processes and Environments (4)
GEOG 414 - Climate Change (4)
GEOG 417W - Advanced Soil Science (4)
GEOG 418 - Ecohydrology (4)
and two of

GEOG 351 - Multimedia Cartography (4)
GEOG 352 - Spatial Analysis (4)
GEOG 353 - Advanced Remote Sensing (4)
GEOG 355 - Geographical Information Science II (4)
and a minimum of eight additional upper division units from BISC, CHEM, CMPT, EASC, EVSC, GEOG, MACM, MASC, MATH, MBB, PHYS or STAT courses. At least four of these must be GEOG units.

GEOSCIENCE STREAM
Students who choose this stream must complete a minimum of 40 units including all of

GEOG 310 - Physical Geography Field Course (4)
GEOG 311 - Hydrology (4)
GEOG 312 - Geography of Natural Hazards (4)
GEOG 313 - River Geomorphology (4)
GEOG 316 - Global Biogeochemical and Water Cycles (4)
GEOG 317 - Soil Science (4)
GEOG 412W - Glacial Processes and Environments (4)
and three (12 units) of the following, including at least one (four units) from Physical Geography (GEOG 31X or 41X courses) and at least one (four units) from GIScience (GEOG 35X or 45X courses)

GEOG 314 - The Climate System (4)
GEOG 351 - Multimedia Cartography (4)
GEOG 352 - Spatial Analysis (4)
GEOG 353 - Advanced Remote Sensing (4)
GEOG 355 - Geographical Information Science II (4)
GEOG 356 - 3D GIScience (4)
GEOG 411 - Advanced Hydrology (4)
GEOG 414 - Climate Change (4)
GEOG 417W - Advanced Soil Science (4)
GEOG 418 - Ecohydrology (4)
GEOG 451 - Spatial Modeling (4)
GEOG 453 - Theoretical and Applied Remote Sensing (4)
GEOG 455W - Theoretical and Applied GIS (4)
GEOG 457 - Geovisualization Interfaces (4)
and a minimum of four additional upper division units from BISC, CHEM, CMPT, EASC, EVSC, GEOG, MACM, MASC, MATH, MBB, PHYS or STAT courses.

GEOSYSTEMS AND GISCIENCE STREAM
Students who choose this stream will complete a minimum total of 24 units, including three (12 units) of the following

GEOG 310 - Physical Geography Field Course (4)
GEOG 311 - Hydrology (4)
GEOG 313 - River Geomorphology (4)
GEOG 314 - The Climate System (4)
GEOG 315 - World Ecosystems (4)
GEOG 316 - Global Biogeochemical and Water Cycles (4)
GEOG 317 - Soil Science (4)
GEOG 411 - Advanced Hydrology (4)
GEOG 412W - Glacial Processes and Environments (4)
GEOG 414 - Climate Change (4)
GEOG 417W - Advanced Soil Science (4)
GEOG 418 - Ecohydrology (4)
and three (12 units) of the following

GEOG 351 - Multimedia Cartography (4)
GEOG 352 - Spatial Analysis (4)
GEOG 353 - Advanced Remote Sensing (4)
GEOG 355 - Geographical Information Science II (4)
GEOG 356 - 3D GIScience (4)
GEOG 451 - Spatial Modeling (4)
GEOG 453 - Theoretical and Applied Remote Sensing (4)
GEOG 455W - Theoretical and Applied GIS (4)
GEOG 457 - Geovisualization Interfaces (4)
and a minimum of 20 additional upper division units from BISC, CHEM, CMPT, EASC, EVSC, GEOG, MACM, MASC, MATH, MBB, PHYS or STAT courses. At least 12 of these must be GEOG units.

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🏫About Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a leading Canadian institution located in Burnaby, British Columbia. Known for its innovative spirit and commitment to interdisciplinary education, SFU offers a broad range of programs in areas such as arts, sciences, business, communication, engineering, and health sciences. With a strong focus on research, community engagement, and experiential learning, SFU prepares students to tackle complex societal challenges and make a positive impact in their chosen fields. The university's stunning mountain-top campus provides an inspiring backdrop for academic exploration and personal growth.

🏠 Accommodation

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:
  • Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
  • Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it
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💰 Fees

Application Fee:

933 RMB

Tuition fee:

34,644 CAD per year

103,932 CAD in total

Insurance is 868 CAD.

❓✅❌ Entry Requirements

You are not eligible to apply to this program because:

The minimum age is 18.

English fluency is required.
You need to be either:
- A native English speaker
- Studied a degree in English before
- Can demonstrate a high level of English
- Having an English certificate such as IELTS level 6 or TOEFL 95 and above is an advantage.

Minimum education level: High School.

The program is competitive, you need to have a high grades of Average A, 70%, or a high GPA.

All students from all countries are eligible to apply to this program.

Is this not correct? You can edit your profile or contact us.
Or see the list of programs you are eligible for here .
Check Your Eligibility Show Suitable Programs

📬 Admissions Process

3 Steps to Apply to a University

Application step 1

Application step 2

Application step 3

Please choose the programs here , "You are advised to select 2-3 programs to increase your chances of getting accepted.

Required Documents:

  • Passport
  • Graduation certificate
  • Passport size photo
  • Official transcript
  • Personal statement
  • English certificate (You can take the English test online)
  • Guarantor letter

Preparing documents:

You can start your application now and send the application documents during your application. Some documents you can send later if you don’t have them right away. Some more info about preparing application documents is here

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Application process:

Applying Online is simple in just a few steps. More information is available here.

The first steps are to choose the programs, pay the application fee and upload the application documents.

Once submitted to Global Admissions, we will review your application within 2-3 days and proceed to the university or ask you for further clarification

After it has been processed to the university you will receive your unique application ID from each university.

The university may contact you directly for further questions.

We will then follow up each week with the university for updates. As soon as there is any update we will let you know. If you have made other plans, decide to withdraw / change address at any time please let us know.

After you have been accepted you will receive your admissions letter electronically and asked to pay the non-refundable deposit to the university.

Once you have paid the deposit the university will issue you the admissions letter and visa form to your home country.

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Here is some more information about the enrollment process after you have been accepted.

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