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Resources and FAQ for New Students in Geography Programs

Welcome to the Department of Geography at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University.ÌýOn this page you will find a number of helpful resources and Q&A toÌýhelp get you ready forÌýyour new academic journey. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our advising and support staff for guidance. We look forward to working with you!


Events For New Students in Geography Programs

Department of Geography Undergraduate Student Orientation:

Tuesday August 27th 2024 from 10:30 to noon in Burnside Hall room 306.

Join us to meet the Department Chair, Program Directors, Undergraduate Advisor, and Student Association executives! Learn more about Advising Services, the spaces and services available via the Geographic Information Centre and the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Libraries, Student Services, and opportunities available to students in our programs with the Field Studies and Internship Offices.

Missed the Department Orientation? Don't panic! Access the PDF icon Department slide deck and the PDF icon MUGS slide deck, and contact our Undergraduate Advisor Michelle Maillet should you have any questions. You will find her contact details in the section below.


Registration dates and other important deadlines

Fall 2024

Winter 2025

For more information about key academic dates & other important dates for the fall 2024 and winter 2025 terms, see the complete details posted here.


Frequently Asked Questions

Registration andÌýminerva waitlists

Detailed instructions on how to useÌýthe minerva registration menu and how to operate minerva waitlists can be found on the Courses and Programs website.

Q: What courses should I register for in my first year at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ?

A: U0 students should register for courses to complete their Foundation year program requirements.ÌýIn BSc and BA&Sc degrees, this program is managed by your assigned Faculty advisor. In , the program is managed by the Foundation year/U0 advisor at OASIS. U1 students can start working on their major(s) and minor(s). U1 students can take 200-level courses and some 300-level courses that do not have prerequisites, whether they be required, complementary or elective courses. First year is a good time to explore disciplines, especially if you are unsure what program(s) you wish to complete during your studies.

Q: A course I want to register for is full, what should I do?

A:ÌýRegistration as a first year student can be stressful as many courses may already be full once you gain access to the registration menu, but keep in mind you will have until the end of the add/drop period for each semester to finalize your courseÌýschedule. As there is a large amount of turnover in enrollment numbers for first year courses during this period, you may still have good chances of getting a seat in the course if you keep a close eye on minerva over the summer months, and as courses begin in September, and in January. In the meantime, try to find something else to take that may still have room for you to register, so you have something else to fall back on just in case. It is not a problem to focus more heavily on your other program(s) in your first year, and then on your Geography program in subsequent years if you have to. Each year, you will have an earlier pick at registration, so it does get easier as you progress with the degree!

Q: How do I register for a course that has an active minerva waitlist?

A: If a course has an active minerva waitlist, you will not be able to register for the course directly; you will first need to add yourself to the minerva waitlist once a space becomes available on the waitlist section in order to be invited to register once spaces free up in the course. Once you add yourself to a waitlist, monitor your ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ email daily so as not to miss the invitation to register as you will only have a day or less to register. If you do not respond by the deadline indicated in the invitation to register, you will be bumped off the waitlist and the spot will be offered to the next person in line. If this is the case, you will need to start over from the back of the queue and hope for the best. For detailed instructions on how the waitlist systems functions, click here.

Q: When do I register for courses for the winter term?

A: You should be registering for both the fall and winter terms at the same time, on the opening dates of registration for your class year in the spring. Access more information on registration dates for returning and new students on the Courses and Programs website. Students may continue to modify their course selection for each term up until the course add/drop deadlines for the term in question.Ìý

Q: Where can I find up to date program information and course lists?

A: You can find up to date program information in the year's eCalendar, or see our Department website for the complete list of programs we offer by degree type, and the list of courses offered in Geography.

Q: I have questions about registration for GEOG courses, or degree planning questions about my Geography program. Who can I talk to for assistance?

A:ÌýWhen in doubt, email your questions to the Geography Program Advisor Michelle Maillet at advisor.geog [at] mcgill.ca, drop by her office during office hours or with her to go over your questions together. Michelle is responsible for all undergraduate programs that fall under the Department of Geography (including majors, minors, honours, joint honours, and Interfaculty programs). She holds a wealth of knowledge about navigating the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ bureaucracy and can help you beÌýstrategic with your undergraduate studies. Do not hesitate to contact her for any Geography-related or general questions that youÌýmay have.ÌýIf she is not the right person to answer your question, she can connect you with the appropriate people/office.Ìý

For general registration issues and room bookings, you may also contact our Undergraduate CoordinatorÌýat undergrad.geog [at] mcgill.ca for assistance.

Credit exemptions

A credit exemption may be granted if you have completed a course at another institution that is equivalent to a ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ course. Pre-admission advanced standing creditÌýexemptions that are not completed at a University however cannot be counted towards honours, majors or minors. Students who receive credit exemptions fromÌýCEGEP, Advanced Placement, A-levels, International Bacc, or French Bacc are required to replace these requirements in their programs with other classes taken at a university.ÌýYour advisor.geog [at] mcgill.ca (program advisor) can help identify suitable alternatives.

For general information on transfer credit and advance standing, click here.

Q: I am a newly admitted studentÌýwith CEGEP, AP, A-levels, IB, or French Bacc. How do I know if I have credit exemptions and when will these be added to my ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ record?

A:ÌýThe Admissions office will record your transfer credits on your ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ transcript by October, though in most cases the information will be showing on your record during the summer and prior to starting classes where the following five conditions are met:

  • you have confirmed your offer in a program at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ
  • your CEGEP, university or exam board has provided us proof of official results (often not until July or August)
  • the course is listed on one of the sub-pages of the "Prospective and newly admitted students" page of this website, and is pre-approved for credit (subject to change)
  • the course is counted towards your degree or program
  • you passed the course with the required minimum grade or better (see individual pages for details)

You can see your transfer credit(s)Ìýon your unofficial transcript inÌýMinerva, under the "Student Records" menu.

Note:ÌýIn general, students can claim up to 30 credits worth of exemptions.

Q: I completed courses at another university prior to admission at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ. Can I receive transfer credits and use some of these courses towards my program requirements?

A: Up to 1/3 of program requirements can be fulfilled using university transfer credit (i.e. courses competed at another University). You must be awarded a specific course credit at the 200-level or above, and verify with your advisor.geog [at] mcgill.ca (program advisor) to be sure thatÌýthe course can be integrated in your program. The advisor can also help you figure out if additional steps are needed so that theÌýtransfer credit exemptions are added to yourÌýÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ record.Ìý

Note: To qualify for a ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ degree, a minimum of 60 credits must normally be completed at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ.

Course overlap

Program overlap & Faculty-specific regulations on double counting of courses between programs

You may notice that certain courses appear in multiple programs across the Faculties of Arts and Science. However, as double counting of courses between programs is not permitted in BA and BA&ScÌýdegrees, if this is the case, you will need to consult both your program advisors to help resolve the conflict. With your advisors you will determine which program will be using the course in question, and what alternative(s) you may have to meet the requirements for the other program to ensure there is no overlap. Program advisors can help you find suitable alternatives to complete your program and degree requirements. In BSc degrees, double counting may be permitted, but only in a few minor programs. Double counting of courses between majors is not permitted.ÌýIf you are in doubt, do not hesitate to contact your ProgramÌýand Faculty Advisors for case-specific guidance.

Statistics CourseÌýOverlap

Credit for statistics courses forÌýArts, Science, and Bachelor of Arts and Science studentsÌýwill be given with the following stipulations:

For more information regarding the Statistics course overlap policy, refer to the eCalendar UndergraduateÌýCourse Overlap section for your Faculty.


Undergraduate Advising, Student Associations, and Program Directors

Geography Undergraduate Advising Office

Ms. Michelle MailletÌý

advisor.geog [at] mcgill.ca

Undergraduate Program Advisor

Access the Geography Advising Office webpage for more information

Michelle's office is located inÌýBurnside Hall, room 322.ÌýShe is available to answer your questionsÌýbyÌýadvisor.geog [at] mcgill.ca (email),Ìýby virtual appointment, or by drop-in office hours.

For more information on the role of the advisor, how they may be of service, and what they expect of the students they advise, see the PDF icon Fall 2024 Advising Syllabus.

Student Associations

ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Undergraduate Geography Society (MUGS)

The ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Undergraduate Geography Society, also known as MUGS, is active in a range of academic and social activities, including the annual publication of Fieldnotes, a journal of undergraduate research. All students in Geography, Urban Studies & Sustainability, Science and Society programs are members of this association.

Access theÌýPDF iconÌýMUGS Degree Planning GuideÌýfor helpful degree planning information and examples of course plans from graduated students.

Keep up with all things MUGS-related with the , and . You may also reach the executive team at mcgillgeography [at] gmail.com.

Students in the SSS program have their own student association, in addition to being part of both MUGS and MESS, the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Environmental Students' Society. For more information on SASSS, the Student Association of Sustainability, Science & Society, please refer to the SSS program website here.

Keep up with all things SASSS-related with the , , , and . You may also reach the executive team at internal.sasss [at] mcgillasus.com.

Program Directors

Prof. Sarah Moser

sarah.moser [at] mcgill.ca

Geography Undergraduate Affairs Committee Chair

Prof. Moser is the current Chair of the Undergraduate Affairs Committee (UAC). This committee addresses matters involving our undergraduate students and our bachelor’s programs, and has both faculty and student members. Its routine duties involve consideration of new courses and programs (or significant changes to them), and discussing any problems raised by MUGS or other student organizations. In all cases, it acts as an advisory body to the department as a whole. As UAC Chair, Prof. Moser is also available to students who wish to discuss individual problems or concerns. She has taught at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ since 2013.


Prof. Kevin Manaugh

kevin.manaugh [at] mcgill.ca

Urban Studies Program Director

Prof. Manaugh is the Director of the Urban Studies Program, an interdisciplinary program based in the Department of Geography. As Director, Prof. Manaugh oversees program changes and updates, and co-organizes urban-related activities and events with students. Prof. Manaugh is happy to speak with students about the program, about post-Urban Studies plans, and about co-organizing urban activities.Ìý


Prof. Brian Robinson

brian.e.robinson [at] mcgill.ca

Sustainability, Science and Society Program Director
SSS Program website

As the Director of the Sustainability, Science and Society (SSS) program, Prof. Robinson oversees the continued development and evolution of the program, which is nearing its 12th anniversary. Contact him if you have questions about how to make the most out of your SSS degree and experience in the program, including regarding undergraduate research opportunities. Working closely with the Program Advisor, Prof Robinson is also happy to help address issues that may arise regarding course planning.

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