Fisheries and Aquaculture Diploma and BA Major in Geography, (Sustainable Resource Management Stream)

Students completing a Geography degree will be challenged to think critically from a variety of perspectives, analyze problems, and seek resolutions to natural resource conflicts. 

Students with the dual credential of a Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Diploma (FIAQ) and a Bachelor of Arts Major in Geography open up opportunities for a broader range of employment opportunities and will also allow them to move more quickly beyond technical, field-based jobs into more career-oriented ones.

The BA Major in Geography offers three different streams of study: General, Sustainable Resource Management, or Urban and Social Sustainability.  All three streams have the same requirements for lower-level courses, then branch out in upper-level.  Coursework already completed in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Diploma best aligns with the Sustainable Resource Management Stream; however, it is possible for an FIAQ Diploma transfer student to choose any of the three streams towards a BA Major in Geography.

Minimum Degree Requirements for Bachelor's Degree Graduation  

Each candidate for a first Bachelor’s degree is required to meet the following conditions.

1. To have satisfied VIU’s first year Degree English Requirement.
2. To present credit in a minimum of 120 credits of university-level courses numbered 100 and above, of which at least 42 credits must be numbered at the 300/400 level, and at least 60 credits must normally be VIU courses to meet the residency requirement.
3. To meet the specific degree and program requirements as approved by Senate and published in the online calendar.

(From VIU General Regulations webpage).

BA Major in Geography Requirements

Graduates of the VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture Diploma transferring into the BA Geography Major program must first satisfy the requirements of the FIAQ Diploma program and then continue on in years 3 and 4 to satisfy the requirements for a BA Degree in Geography.

Students coming into year 3 of the Geography program will receive equivalency credit for ENGL 115.  (Note: one other ENGL or LBST course would still be needed to meet the DER).  Students would also receive equivalency credit for MATH 181 in place of GEOG 221. All other FIAQ courses count as general electives towards the Geography BA. 

Note #1:  This information is provided for guidance only.  Degree completion is based on courses completed successfully and is subject to all applicable requirements and procedures in effect.  Students should consult with a BA Degree Advisor to confirm program requirements.

Note #2: An application to the BA Program is needed in order to move from the FIAQ Diploma to the BA Major in Geography.  An application fee is required for this:   https://www.viu.ca/admissions/fees

For further details on transferring from the FIAQ Diploma program to the Geography BA please contact the Chair of the Geography Department at: 250-753-3245 Ext 6296 or email: geochair@viu.ca

Course Requirements

* denotes courses offered on a rotational basis.