uwloo

EARTH 342Geomorphology and GIS Applications

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Earth Sciences

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introduction of geomorphology with emphasis on landscape-forming processes. Characteristics and development of various landforms (e.g. mountain belts, volcanoes, impact craters, and those created by erosion/deposition of rivers/glaciers) are introduced. Skills for interpreting landforms in air photos or satellite images (in Google Earth or ArcGIS) are practised in the lab work. Application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Earth Sciences. Basic concepts of GIS and GIS applications in mineral exploration industry and in fieldwork are introduced. Laboratory work of GIS involves map construction and spatial analysis (e.g., landslide hazard assessment).

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • CIVE153 - Earth Engineering (0.50)
    • EARTH121 - Introductory Earth Sciences (0.50)
    • EARTH122 - Introductory Environmental Sciences (0.50)
    • ENVE153 - Earth Engineering (0.50)
    • GEOE153 - Earth Engineering (0.50)
    • SCI250 - Environmental Geology (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001698256 / 60TTh 10:00–11:20
LEC 002721455 / 60MW 14:30–15:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

59% liked it73% easy60% useful

From 27 ratings and 11 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Labs aren't too bad but the final was awful. I actually thought I did decent on it and ended up with a pretty low mark which was confusing.

    Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • the only part of this course that i hated was the final. i thought it was too difficult. overall, the labs were time consuming but not difficult and a good way to learn the basics of arcgis. i disagree that the prof doesn't teach well - he's fine for an earthsci prof. after you get your lab back you have a chance to regain 80% of lost marks if you redo and fix your mistakes. i thought that was awesome and ended up with a really high average from the labs as a result. TAs were nitpicky but tbh it was a good nitpicky because you actually learn how to make real life, quality maps. so I wasn't overly upset about the TA marking since you could just fix it and get a significantly better mark.

    Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Grade is comprised of arcgis pro labs (you need arcgis for this course on a PC. If you don't have a PC, you need to install windows on your Mac and then run it. If you don't need this class, don't take it), lecture labs, iclicker, and final. The arcgis labs are very straightforward, prof posts the videos and you just follow them. The only problem is that the TA's love taking marks away for the simplest mistakes that desever 1-3 marks off, but end up taking 8-10. You have the option to "get back" 80% of your lost grade but its a painful process. lecture labs are very easy and take like 10 min to do. iclicker can be done from home, you just need to participate, right answer not needed. final…

    Dec 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Easy concepts but the prof is very boring and does not lecture well

    Jan 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The grading scheme was more complicated than the actual course content lol. Mostly based on semi-weekly ArcGIS assignments (straightforward, just follow the provided video tutorials) and a final exam. Also some iClicker stuff and opportunities for bonus marks via LEARN discussions (more trouble than they're worth imo). The first few weeks are geography based and boring but then the course moves almost entirely to GIS which it does a decent job of teaching. Overall pretty laid back List 2 TE for enviro engs, especially because many classes are work sessions for the assignments

    Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

6 posts and comments in 6 threads mention EARTH 342, December 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2024

Spring 2019

Winter 2018

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… DUTCH 201 EARTH 121 EARTH 121L EARTH 123 EARTH 123L EARTH 231 EARTH 235 EARTH 260 EARTH 331 EARTH 342 EARTH 421 EARTH 436A EARTH 436B EARTH 440 EARTH 444 EARTH 458 EARTH 458L EARTH 461 EARTH 499 EARTH 625 EARTH 626 EARTH 627 EARTH 650 EARTH 653 EARTH 668 EARTH 691 EARTH 692 …”

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Spring 2017

CIVE 100/ENVE 100 0 points, 4 comments

“Do you learn ARCGIS/GIS in one of these courses?”

u/quantum_kitkat: “You can learn GIS in one of your technical electives (I think EARTH 342), but you won't get that until earliest 3rd year. Ofc, you can also try learning it on your own. Ik websites like coursera and edX have GIS courses you can follow along.”

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Fall 2015

EARTH 342, the worst 0 points, 5 comments

u/bioenvirosciecology: “Anyone else taking 342, and expected to learn GIS? Instead we were given labs with little instruction, and a teacher who cant teach or speak English. By far the worst class taken,not worth the money, you may as well teach yourself gis at home. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar