GEOG 101Changing Human Environments
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An introduction to human geography through key subfields of the discipline, examining population change, the rise of cities, our relationship to nature, social inequalities, economic forms, cultural differences, and environmental change at the local and global scale.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- GEOG100 - Changing Human Environments and Introduction to Geography and Environmental Management (0.50)
- Not open to students enrolled in H-Geography & Environmental Management
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5586 | 78 / 140 | TTh 11:30–12:50 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5393 | 0 / 150 | MW 14:30–15:50 |
| LEC 701 | 2131 | 45 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
79% liked it90% easy57% useful
From 323 ratings and 95 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The course was revamped into 2 in person tests that require 1 page response per question instead of 4 online tests. No longer a bird course and actually requires you to spend some time reading the course materials. I was not interested in the materials too much so it's a pain in the ass to read the textbook, would've taken something else if I had the chance to choose again
Dec 2024 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
It is literally not a bird course, and you must pay much attention and efforts into it. For three assignments that are worth 50%, writing skill is highly necessitated. The final is kind of weird since it is extremely detailed, such as some minor points that nearly no one will catch and review. I got mid-90 in this course and I really like this instructor, who is always passionate and helpful.
May 2023 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
easy course but pretty boring
Nov 2014 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This is NOT a bird course. The course material is obvious and boring but assessments are very open ended with no rubric. The course isn't really difficult, but it's very time consuming with subjective marking. Even if you're interested in geography, this course doesn't really go beyond grade 9 geography / common sense. Don't take this unless it's required for your degree.
Dec 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
PLEASE DONT TAKE IT, I TOOK IT AS A BIRD BUT ITS NOT AS BIRD AS YOU THINK. 2 test, 1 thesis, 1 paper, 1 exam. The course is mad borning too. The marking is super subjective and you do need to spend time to work on the paper.
Dec 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
253 posts and comments in 199 threads mention GEOG 101, July 2013 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.
Fall 2024
Easy Online Courses to take on Co-op 9 points, 5 comments
“Looking for some easy online course reqs (ideally no final) to take while on co-op! Open to any and all suggestions - TYIA🫶”
u/skatertomato1: “Geog101 if it’s offered online 🙏”
GPA boosters 9 points, 14 comments
“Basically the title. Looking for some super easy/"common sense" courses to take. I've heard about the CLAS courses and any other suggestions would be appreciated!”
u/Humble_Force1679: “Geog101”
Reference letters for grad school with bad grade 1 point, 4 comments
u/Jiangzedrich: “… I obtained 80%\90% for all "bird courses" like psych 101 or geog 101 but I'm not sure if those professors would help. …”
How is CHINA 120r? 2 points, 4 comments
“Im thinking of taking CHINA 120R in the winter term. Im wondering what the workload is for the course. I think I am a proficient native chinese speaker who can't read or write chinese.”
u/batson2002: “… if you’re looking for an easier course than clas104 or geog101 will be easier”
Spring 2024
Geog 101 Professor 1 point, 0 comments
Geog 101 professor 1 point, 0 comments
Winter 2024
Spring 2024 Bird Courses? 2 points, 5 comments
“Any recs for bord courses? A lot of the threads here are from about 2 years ago, was wondering if there were any more recent opinions.”
u/waariooo: “Geog 101”
Fall online bird course 3 points, 2 comments
“I need to take an online only course in fall 2024, preferably one that is very low effort for a 70-80. I already have Hrm 200, and clas 104”
u/UnseenDegree: “Geog 101 potentially. It’s not technically online, but for the last term, there was no required in person component. A couple tests (all open book and online, with tons of time). A few simple papers (usually 2 pages maximum, and some of them ask you to use AI for it.). …”
what happens when you don’t meet ur program requirements 13 points, 13 comments
“i’m in my 1b term and it’s actually kicking my ass, and i don’t think i’m gonna meet my program requirements (60 in my special major courses, and overall 60 average). …”
u/eranand04: “What program are you in? Your advisors will likely give u a chance considering you're in first year. Like the other guy said you can take some bird courses and I can recommend a few”
u/eranand04: “Earth 122 was really ez w all open book(except final) multiple choice and over 80 avg final grade. Avoid phys 121/122(speaking from experience). Geog 101, sci 201, 206, maybe 238, math 106, 225”
Bird course for high gpa 8 points, 11 comments
“Is there any recommendation for bird elective that could also help with gpa? Hopefully an easy 90+ but 85+ also sounds good. I want to apply to grad school so gpa matters a bit to me. Thanks guys.”
u/skatertomato1: “COMMST 100, or GEOG 101 !!!”
u/PastaDrama: “GEOG 101 was an actual joke. I was kind of offended that I paid for that course. The first assignment was literally finding topics in the textbook and listing the page you found them on. If I remember correctly, it was worth 10% of your mark.”
Should I take cs230 5 points, 7 comments
“As the title, but there’s sth u should consider, I have a really low average grade (60), and got 50 on cs115 and 60 on cs116. Should I swap psych101 to cs230? Which of them is more of a bird course? …”
u/Weekly-Friend-66: “I took Geog 101 last semester with Brent Doberstein. I got a 94 with very little effort as all the tests are open book and two assignments. Not sure if its offered this term with him but if it is its a great GPA booster and it was honestly pretty interesting. …”
Are there some courses that are possible to get 90+ in 1B？ 1 point, 17 comments
“I am a math regular student and I plan to transfer into coop. I really need to improve my grades. Thank you for all of your advice”
u/Minute-Wolverine417: “Phys101, geog101”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them