Student Theses

Graduate Programs

The Master of Arts in Geography program, which commenced in 2012, provides opportunities for advanced study and research in both human geography and physical geography topics. The Master's thesis is the culmination of the student's research project.

In addition to the M.A. in Geography, faculty members in the department supervise graduate students in the Master of Applied Science, Master of Arts in Global Development Studies, and Master of Arts in Atlantic Canada Studies programs.

Past Geography Graduate Theses

AKYOL, Reyhan (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2020	Mapping and quantifying early tidal wetland evolution using remotely piloted aircraft system imagery and object-based image analysis
ARMAH, Priscilla (M.A. Geography)	2021	Entering the workforce in Halifax : strategies and coping mechanisms among the African migrant community
CHAMPAGNE, Brandon (M.A. Geography)	2021	The future of Nova Scotia's dykelands : understanding the landowners’ perspective
FEDAK, Michael (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2012	Hydrodynamic modelling for flood management in Bay of Fundy dykelands
FOX, Marie (M.A. Geography)	2022	Dissonant heritage in “a Disneyland of the 1920s” : Analyzing the narrative of the Acadian deportation at Grand Pré National Historic Site
FRANCIS-WALKER, Jodi-Ann (M.A. Geography)	2017	To Stay or Leave?: An Assessment of the Social, Economic, and Political Factors that Influence International Students when Deciding to Remain in, or Leave Nova Scotia, Upon Graduation
GRAHAM, Jennifer (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2012	Consideration for salt marsh restoration design in a hypertidal estuary
HEALEY, Melissa (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2014	A baseline assessment of water quality in the Gambia River and the potential for community-based monitoring in the Gambia, West Africa
HORNE, Peter (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2013	Characterization of intertidal geomorphology based on multi-scale analysis of airborne LiDAR data
HORTON, Susan (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2011	Identifying the locations, movement and habitat of the European fire ant, Myrmica rubra : an invasive species in the urban/suburban environment of Halifax, Nova Scotia
LARTER, Patrick (M.A. Geography)	2016	Does time heal all wounds? : The restoration of place attachment after loss of place : the case study of Point Pleasant Park after Hurricane Juan
LEMIEUX, Ben (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2012	The contribution of sedimentation and tidal inundation in facilitating the recovery of coastal wetland vegetation following hydrologic restoration
LEWIS, Samantha (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2022	Characterizing the evolution of a restoring salt marsh landscape with low altitude aerial imagery and photogrammetric techniques
MacISAAC, Brittany (M.A. Geography)	2018	An Investigation of Factors that Influence Coastal Communities' Ability to Adopt or Participate in Climate Change Adaptation Planning in the Atlantic Provinces
MALENFANT, Francois (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2022	Rapid coastal erosion of ice-bonded deposits on Pelly Island, southeastern Beaufort Sea, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, western Canadian Arctic
MATHESON, Graeme (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2020	Enhancing dykeland resiliency in a hypertidal estuary
MAZZOCCA, Anthony (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2009	The relationship between plant diversity and two opposing nitrogen flows in an experimental pasture in a humid cool-temperate climate
NEATT, Kevin (M.A. Geography)	2016	Built-Environment Variables Influencing Aggregate Walking: A Multivariate Analysis of Halifax Neighbours
NIMOH, Gabriel (M.A. Geography)	2022	The Experiences and Challenges of Black Entrepreneurs in Halifax, Nova Scotia
O'LAUGHLIN, Casey (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2012	The effect of changing tidal energy over the spring-neap cycle on net sediment deposition in a hypertidal Bay of Fundy salt marsh creek
PAGE, Samantha (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2015	Development and application of a geomorphic-based vulnerability index for assessing relative coastal vulnerability to erosion under wave energy scenarios associated with climate change
PAYNE, Rebecca (M.A. Geography)	2023	Understanding the Villa di Tito and the Velino Valley within Central Italy by creating Spatial Connections (Link to library record to be added)
POIRIER, Emma (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2014	Seasonal influences on the ecomorphodynamics of a hypertidal salt marsh and tidal creek system
PURCELL, Julia (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2020	Application of managed dyke realignment and hydrodynamic modelling for flood mitigation in Truro, Nova Scotia
RAJBHANDARI, Ruji (M.A. Geography)	2021	An examination of the household characteristics of high-density neighbourhoods in Halifax, Canada
SHELTON, Ashley (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2013	The accuracy of water quality monitoring data : a comparison between citizen scientists and professionals
SKINNER, Christa (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2016	The biogeochemistry of a restoring macrotidal salt marsh: Cheverie Creek, Nova Scotia
SWEENEY, Larissa (M.A. Geography)	2023	The Role of the Environment on Irregular Migration in The Gambia, West Africa: Implications for Climate Change Adaptation Policies (Link to library record to be added)
TIBBETTS, Jeremy (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2012	Assessing relative coastal vulnerability in a macrotidal environment to the increased risk of storm surges due to climate change
WEATHERBEE, Wesley (M.A. Geography)	2021	Where’d the coast go? : geoarchaeological exploration of upper Bay of Fundy coastal histories in Nova Scotia
WOODS, Oliver (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2014	An integrative approach to prioritizing and restoring aquatic habitat connectivity in a national park setting : the case of Kejimkujik
XUE, Guang (M.Sc. Appl. Sci.)	2005	Exploring measures of urban form : a GIS-enabled case study in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Honours Program

The Honours program in Geography provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The Honours thesis represents the student's final report on the research project.

Past theses created prior to 2013 (starting in 1978) are linked to an abstract page. Hard copies are available in the Patrick Power Library general collection. The department also retained a hard copy of those theses.

In 2013 the library switched to submission of theses in PDF format, and hard copies are no longer printed. The link for students from 2013 is to an abstract and a PDF of the complete thesis contained in the Patrick Power Library Archives.

Past Geography Honours Theses

AINSWORTH, Sarah	2005	GIS Assessment of the Impacts of Hurricane Juan on Forest Fire Hazard
ADDISON, Richard	1988	Resource Use Conflict Involving Fox Island Main Beach, Guysbrough County - A Case Study of the Effectiveness of Nova Scotia's Beach Protection Legislation
ALLEN, Dawn	1988	An Assessment of the Scenic Resources of Nova Scotia
ANDERSON, Bruce	1984	The Spatial Incidence of Exploration License Expenditures in Nova Scotia, 1981
ANDRIES, Darlene	1984	The Impact of Beach Protection on Beach Sand and Gravel Extraction in Nova Scotia 1968-1983
ARGUE, Bruce	1998	Classification of Sandy Beaches Along the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia
ARMSTRONG, Jody	2008	Perception of Place Community Mapping as an Effective Communication Tool
BARTEL, Amanda	2013	Potential Implications of Climate Change for the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goal 5, in The Gambia, West Africa
BEAVER, Breagh	2018	Assessing the Clear Bag Initiative as a Waste Management Strategy in the HRM
BEAZLEY, Laura	1993	The Impact of Highway Improvements on Rural Settlement and Growth
BOWMAN, Sarah	2006	An Analysis of the Dynamic Fingerprint of Seismicity in the North Atlantic Ocean in Space and Time: Implications for Tsunamigenic Processes
BRAY, Jonathon	2015	Accessibility of the Halifax Population to Grocery Stores and Fast Food Outlets Based on Socio-Economic Status
BROWN, Olivia	2003	Relationships between Drainage Basin Characteristics and Depositional Fan Morphology in Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada
BROWN, Mark	1991	Halifax International Airport: A Description and Analysis of its Passenger Traffic Growth 1968-1990
CARTER, Sean	1990	Media Response to the Wreck of the Tanker "Arrow": Twenty Years Later
CHAMBERLAIN, Darren	1991	The Halifax-Dartmouth Regional Sanitary Landfill Controversy 1972-1977: A Case Study of Locational Conflict
CLARE, Benjamin	2007	The Impact of the MacDonald Bridge on Growth in Dartmouth
CLARK, Mary	1994	Neighbourhood Change in the Old North End of Halifax; Inner City Halifax, Nova Scotia January 1984 - March 1994
CODY, Katherine	1979	Route Choice Criteria of Bicycle Commuters in Halifax, Nova Scotia
COLBOURNE, Dylan	2015	Measuring Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity of the South Western Coast of Tobago
CONRAD, Scott	1992	The Site and Neighbourhood Factors Affecting the Incidence of Traffic Accidents, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1986 to 1990
CROFT, Steven	2003	A Geographical Analysis of Tourism in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
DAOUST, Daniel	2006	A Community-Based Monitoring Framework for Nova Scotia: Increasing the Efficiency of Environmental Stewardship in the Province
DAVIS, Donna	1995	The Location of Owner-occupied Renovation in Inner City Halifax, Nova Scotia, January 1977-August 1984
EDMUNDSON, Erin	2005	Collection of Base-Line Water Quality Data and Shoreline Classification of the Nine Mile River
ELLIS, SCOTT	1996	The Influence of Rural Amenities on Retirement Migration in Mahone Bay, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia
FENTON, Derek	1993	Development of a Coastal Oil Spill Sensitivity Database using Geographic Information System - Cole Harbour Region, Nova Scotia
FITZGIBBONS, Joanne	2016	I wish this was a Park: Levels and Perceptions of Participation in Municipal Planning Processes Among Young Adults in Halifax, NS
FOX, Jason	1995	Cottaging on the Northumberland Shore of Pictou County, Nova Scotia: Spatial Patterns and Relationships
GRAHAM, Jennifer	2005	Analysis of Surface Cover Classification Using Ikonos Digital Imagery in a Complex Habitat: Pointe de L'est, Magdalen Islands
HANSON- McFARLANE, Jessie	2003	An Analysis of Geomorphic Processes Operating on Alluvial Fans in Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon Territory, Canada
HEMING, Susan	1992	A Critique of the United Nation's Policies for Controlling Land-based Pollution for Coastal Management
HEMPHILL, Tobi	1996	Rural Service Provision and Depopulation Along Highway 7, Halifax County, Nova Scotia
HERBERT, Glen	1993	Fisheries Violations Across an Arbitrated Maritime Boundary: The Gulf of Maine Boundary Case
HORROCKS, Logan	2018	An Analysis of Multispectral Unmanned Aerial Systems for Salt Marsh Foreshore Land Cover Classification and Digital Elevation Model Generation
INCHES, Peter	2020	Height-Dependence of the Temporal Variability of Wind-Speed: A Multiscale Approach
JEAN, Emlyn	1997	Land Use Impacts Around the Port of Halifax and the Halifax International Airport 1971-1996
KENDALL, Rachel	2018	Satellite Image Analysis of Recent Changes in Glacier Extent in the Northern Mackenzie Mountain Range, Northwest Territories and Yukon, Canada
KEUPER, Eric	1987	The Northwest Arm Bridge: A Case Study of Locational Decision Making
KING, Martin	2000	Examples of Prograded Coastal Dune Ridge Systems in the Maritime Provinces Region
KOBER, Susan	1981	Farmland Abandonment in the Southwest Margaree Valley: A Response to Changing Perceptions
KOKKINEN, Olivia	2024	Assessing Functional Ecological Connectivity for Protected Area Design for Southwest Nova Scotia
LAPIERRE, Thomas	2020	An Analysis of Heritage in Tourist Brochures, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2019
LARKIN, John	1985	Streetcar Expansion and Halifax Development: 1900-38
LAROUCHE, Santa	2003	Lighting Climatology for the Maritime Provinces Using the Canadian Lightning Detection Network 1998-2001
LEMIEUX, Ben	2010	The Influence of the Soil Seed Bank and Hydrochory on the Early Re-Colonization Dynamics on Two Walt Marsh Restoration Projects
LEWIS, Barry	1979	Land Use Change in Sandy Cove, Digby County, Nova Scotia 1945-1978
LIPTON, Jeff	2001	A Base Study of the Fluvial Geomorphology and Spatial Characteristics of Suspended Solid Concentrations in the Little Sackville River, Nova Scotia
LLOYD, Arthur	1981	Site and Neighborhood Factors Accounting for Variations in Values of Single Family Dwellings in the Halifax-Dartmouth Area
LYNCH, Kathy	1984	Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward Development
MACDONALD, Katherine	2020	The Changing Face of the Halfiax Peninsula: a Narrative of Transition
MacKENZIE, Alison	2007	The Potential of Using Managed Realignment to Mitigate Sea Level Rise in the Cornwallis Estuary
MAHAR, Rhea	1994	Towards the Identification of Environmentally Sensitive Areas for Environmental Management: A Case Study in the Sackville River Watershed, Nova Scotia
MARTIN, Tara	2002	Integrated Maritime Compliance and Enforcement on the Wide Open Sea: Does Geography Limit Integrated Initiatives?
MAY, Jason	2005	Inland Distribution Terminal: A Location Search
McKIGGAN, Alexander	1996	A Geographical Appraisal of the Canada/EU Dispute and Its Significance to Transboundary Stock Management in the Northwest Atlantic
McNEIL, Teresa	1994	The Impacts of Development on the Little Sackville River, Sackville, Nova Scotia, 1966-1992
MILLER, Jenna	2017	Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
MITCHELL, Vanessa	2015	Assessing the Suitability of a Conflict Framework for Recreational Fisheries in Nova Scotia and British Columbia
NORRIS, Eric	2017	Travel Distance and Mode Choice of Dog Park users in Halifax, NS
OJA, M. Jean	1979	Open Space as a Factor Affecting the Demand for Neighbourhood Parks in Halifax, Nova Scotia
O'LAUGHLIN, Casey	2009	Comparison of Vertical and Temporal Variations in Hydrodymanics on Macro-Tidal Mudflat and Salt Marsh Surfaces in the Bay of Fundy
OSBORNE, Valerie	1981	Change in the Nova Scotia Fisheries, by Districts, 1962-1976
PAGE, Samantha	2011	The Effects of Coral Morphology and Rugosity on Small-Scale Reef Sediment Dynamics: A Study from Coral View Reef, Utila, Honduras
PEACH, Larry	1991	Physical Impact of Suburban Development on the First Lake Watershed, Halifax County, 1964-1989
POIRIER, Emma	2012	Sediment Dynamics within a Hypertidal Salt Marsh and Tidal Creek System: Results from the Bay of Fundy
RATCLIFFE, Richard	1978	Images of the Place Between: A Study of a Rural Landscape, Wallace, Nova Scotia
RAYMOND, Mary-Margaret	2023	Spatial and Temporal Changes in Beach Width and Its Effect on the Condition of Foredunes on Dune du Nord, Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
REDGRAVE, Paul	1989	A Factorial Urban Ecology for the Halifax Census Metropolitan Area
ROGERS, Élise	2021	Spatial and Temporal Variations in Sediment Composition Within Newly Restored Salt Marshes
ROJAS-FISCHER, Carmen	2023	Commercial Changes and Their Larger Context in a Gentrifying Neighborhood: Tracking the Transformation of Halifax, Canada's North End
ROSS, James	1986	An Interpretation and Analysis of the Geomorphology of the Lower Avon River Valley, Hants County, Nova Scotia
RUDOLPH, James	1978	The Comparative Advantage of Alternative Modes of Transit in a Medium Sized Urban Area: A Case Study of Halifax, Nova Scotia
SAYAH, Saide	1999	A Cumulative Effect Assessment of the Petite Riviere Watershed
SCHROEDER, Catherine	1993	A Morphological Analysis of the Lunenburg Drumlin Field, Nova Scotia, Canada
SCOTT, Darren	1991	The Dynamic Dunes of Crescent Beach, Lockeport, Nova Scotia: 1978 to 1990
SHIELS, Christine	1986	Geomorphological Changes Along the Central North Coast of Prince Edward Island 1935 - 1985
SILVER, Amber	2009	The Influence of Vegetation on Sedimentary Processes in a Macrotidal Salt Marsh
SLEIGH, Heidi	1994	A Commuter Bikeway Feasibility Study for the Halifax Peninsula
SMITH, Cailen	2011	Character and Morphodynamics of Barrier Beaches in Southwestern Nova Scotia
SWEENEY, Larissa	2019	Determining Trajectory Using Ecological Indicators at the Cogmagun River Salt Marsh Nine Years Post Restoration
TERFRY, James	1990	The Urban Industrial Structure of the Halifax Census Metropolitan Area
THERRIEN, Marc	2015	An Assessment of Methods for Clearcut Detection Using Landsat Satellite Images of Nova Scotia
THOMPSON, Brenna	2011	Perception of Heat Waves and Risk Reduction: The Case of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
TIPERT, Sean	1992	A Comparison of Forestry Practices in Nova Scotia
TOWNSEND, Sarah	2002	Colonization on the Avon River Mudflats, Bay of Fundy, Following Causeway Construction
WERLE, Colin	2017	Mapping the development of condominiums in Halifax, NS 1972-2016
WESTON, Sarah	2010	Public Perception of Water Quality in Halifax Harbour
WHITEHOUSE, Bryce	2013	Asymmetry in the Planform Morphology of Alluvial Fans: A Geomorphological Analysis
WINSOR, Lorna	1994	Twentieth Century Retail Change in the Halifax CBD
WOODS, Oliver	2007	An Integrative Approach to Prioritizing Aquatic Habitat Restoration Sites in the Wooden’s River Watershed, Nova Scotia
YETMAN, Greg	1996	A Strategic Environmental Assessment of Aggregate Extraction on Banquereau
YULE, Ian	2004	Residential Revival in Old Dartmouth – 1986 to 2000

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Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

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