Ryerson's Geographic Analysis program, focuses on the application of geographic knowledge in real world contexts.  Through a combination of classroom study, hands-on laboratory work, internship, guest lecturers, and involvement of partners from government and business sectors, the program provides students with the ability to deal with current problems in the real world.

Program courses offer students flexibility and depth by familiarizing them with both physical and human aspects of geography and their inter-relationships, and with various spatial methodologies and research designs.  In particular, students are encouraged to become competent in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which employ computer-based software to collect, manage, analyze, and map spatial data, and which provide a conceptual and technical foundation for geographic analysis.

There are three broad areas of study:

• Location analysis which focuses on the issues that must be considered in determining the location and development of retail activities at local, regional, national and international levels;
• Urban analysis, which examines the factors that combine to create the structure of an urban environment (including residential patterns, business and industrial developments, transportation systems, and social services), and the dynamics of these factors in the state and growth of an urban centre, and;
• Environmental analysis, which emphasizes the study of management and planning policies of natural resources that address issues involving conflicts between society's economic and environmental goals.

To these broad areas of study, students can add specialties in health and demography, locational analysis, recreation and tourism, resource management, spatial analytical techniques and geotechnologies.
Two fully equipped state-of-the-art computer laboratories ensure that students are able to receive practical training on major statistical, database, GIS and remote sensing software using real world data.

Semesters One and Two
During the first year, which is shared with the Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, History, Politics and Governance, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology programs, students in Geographic Analysis take three Geography courses, which show how geographers approach current issues in the physical and human environments and how geographers use GIS in their analysis.  Like other students in the Faculty of Arts, students also take Social Science and Humanities courses to broaden their understanding and approaches, courses in critical thinking and writing, and a non-Arts elective which may be the basis of a Minor if so desired.

Semesters Three to Eight
In second year, students are able to select courses which focus on their areas of interest in retail location, urban and/or environmental analysis.  They develop their knowledge and skills about the tools and methods of professional geographers through required courses on statistics, cartography and Geographic Information Science.

In third and fourth years, students select advanced professional courses to build on their expertise in one or more of the three broad areas, to add to their understanding with courses in areas such as physical, economic, health, rural or recreation geography, and to enhance their competencies in analytical and spatial methods.  They are able to apply their knowledge in the workplace through an internship between third and fourth years (see Required Practicum section below).  In their final year, students take capstone courses to solidify their expertise before going out into the workplace or on to graduate study.  In their course of study, students also select Professionally-Related courses and Liberal Studies courses.

Possibilities for a Minor exist with the careful planning of Professionally-Related courses.  In particular, Geographic Analysis students participate in Minors in Law, Marketing, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Politics, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Economics, Sociology, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Psychology.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Geographic Analysis program pursue widely varied careers throughout the public and private sectors. Courses emphasizing concepts, issues, techniques and decision processes combined with practical work experience in the context of a co-operative education environment lead to employment opportunities in banking, real estate, property development, retailing, police departments, health departments, environmental consulting, GIS firms, universities, municipalities, marketing firms, environmental NGOs, social NGOs, and conservation authorities, with job titles such as analyst, location analyst, business development officer, market research analyst, GIS specialist, GIS conservation analyst, crime analyst, resource planner, and consultant. 

Required Practicum
Integral to the degree is an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in the workplace. Students in Geographic Analysis are required to participate in a three-month practicum normally between their third and fourth years of the program.  Students have an opportunity to gain employment and create professional contacts for their future careers.  Real world opportunities will provide challenges and practical experience to help students better position themselves for future employment  possibilities.  Full credit is given for 350 hours of professional work in a workplace setting.  This benefits students in the following ways:

• enhancement of their practical perspective;
• addition of valuable work experience to their resume;
• acquisition of specific knowledge of workplace operations;
• appreciation of the value of their capabilities;
• introduction to prospective employers; and
• completion of one course credit towards their degree.

TRANSFERABILITY GUIDELINES
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in any of Criminology, Environment and Urban Sustainability, English, Geographic Analysis, History, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, may transfer from their current program, and plan to any one of the other eight plans for the Fall term of their second year of studies. Applications are available through the Program Office and must be submitted by February 2nd. Transfer applications are considered on a competitive basis subject to program capacity and therefore, program choice cannot be guaranteed.

In order to transfer to Geographic Analysis from any of Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, History, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, students must: (1) have a CLEAR Academic Standing at the end of the Winter term of their second semester of studies; and (2) have successfully completed GEO 131 or GEO 151. It is strongly recommended that students complete both GEO 131 and GEO 151 in first year.

Liberal Studies - Students must take two lower-level liberal studies courses and four upper-level liberal studies courses to graduate.