Course description
Today's rapidly changing environment is the result of an interplay of natural, social, economic and political forces that have major geographical impacts. Geography identifies and explains the spatial patterns that result from the diverse relationships humans have with the environment. As a result, geography graduates are attractive to employers requiring management staff well informed about the world.
The Geography programme is constructed to allow you to develop a range of subject and transferable skills and knowledge to help you prepare either for employment or further study for higher degrees. We combine vocational training and theoretical understanding and have strong links with private sector employers, local government and non governmental agencies.
In the first year, students build a foundation of knowledge about both the physical and human environments, and follow courses that explore geographic issues from the perspectives of natural, physical and social science. In Year 2 you will study a core course in Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, and you may specialise in either human geography or essential physical geography. An important component of Year 3 is the completion of a research dissertation. You will receive one-to-one supervision from a member of staff and have the opportunity to study a topic of particular interest to you in considerable depth. Alongside the research dissertation students study core courses in Sustainability: A Global Perspective; and a Readings course. The Reading course reflects cutting edge research interests and will involve students choosing one topic from a range of subjects.
Fieldwork is an essential part of the programme with trips to the New Forest, Lake District and south-east Spain. Successful completion of at least 36 weeks of the optional work placement (sandwich year between Years 2 and 3) will result in the award of a Diploma of Industrial Study. We also have collaborative arrangements with universities in the Netherlands, Italy, and France, which permit students to study abroad for a period of time under the Erasmus European Exchange scheme.
Students who choose to follow a physical geography route are awarded a BSc Hons degree, while those specialising in human geography are awarded a BA Hons degree.
Year 1
* Science and Environment
* Society Economy and Sustainability
* Earths Dynamic System
* Practical Science Skills
Year 2
* Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
* Research Methods for Geography and Environmental Science
* Two options from:
o Issues in Geography 1
o Issues in Geography 2
o Environmental Management and Regeneration
Optional Work Placement Year (Sandwich mode of study)
Year 3
* Research dissertation
* Two options from:
o Urban Development and Planning
o Geography of Tourism and Development
o Environmental Impact Assessment
o Conservation and the Environment
o Climate Change
o Volcanic Hazards and Environmental Systems
o Contaminated Land Remediation
