BSc (Hons) Geography

Program Overview

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By combining practical fieldwork with research-informed teaching, students develop critical thinking, practical skills, and an understanding of sustainability challenges and solutions, preparing them for careers in environmental science, planning, and various industries where geographic expertise is in high demand.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This program examines the natural, social, economic, and political factors that influence our ever-changing world. The course covers both human and physical geography, allowing students to tailor it to their interests by choosing appropriate units from year two.

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Outline:

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Foundation Year (Optional):

• This year is for students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course.
• It provides a grounding in the scientific skills required for the course, building confidence, knowledge, and skills for further study.
• Core units include:
• Academic and Professional Study Skills: Develops fundamental academic and research skills, including literature searching, review, data collection, analysis, and ethical practice.
• Applied Sciences: Introduces fundamental aspects of science and its impact on human life.
• Introduction to Biology: Covers plant and animal cell biology and key themes in human, environmental, and ecological sciences.
• Introduction to Psychology: Provides an understanding of various areas of psychology and their explanations of behavior.
• Mathematics in Science: Builds confidence in mathematics for scientific data analysis and presentation.
• Foundation Year Project: Students conduct a research task on scientific topics chosen by the unit leader, devising their own investigation and producing a final scientific report.

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Year 1:

• Core units include:
• Scientific Research Skills: Develops skills for independent research in geography, including literature evaluation, scientific argumentation, essay writing, and data collection.
• Physical Geography: Explores the evolution of Earth's systems (lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere) and their interactions leading to environmental change.
• Practical Skills in Geography: Provides practical skills for field and laboratory work, including observation, record keeping, and data interpretation.
• Earth and Society: Examines the interaction and impact of key physical environment aspects on the human environment.
• Human Geography: Focuses on key theories and principles of human geography, including economic, political, and cultural aspects, using case studies and field trips.
• Residential Field Trip: Provides hands-on experience in field research, including team work and project development.

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Year 2:

• Core units include:
• Advanced Scientific Research Skills: Builds upon academic skills for independent research, including research proposal writing, survey design, and data analysis techniques.
• Geospatial Science: Develops expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geo-spatial science, including data manipulation, analysis, and application for decision-making.
• Coasts and Coastal Adaptation: Explores the geography of the marine environment, including resource management, biodiversity, physical processes, and sustainable management.
• Option units include:
• International Field Trip: Offers a thematic field trip experience with lectures, discussions, local speakers, and individual projects.
• Urban Social Geography: Examines the role of geography in contemporary urban problems, including socio-political construction, power dynamics, and spatial structure.
• Quaternary Environments: Focuses on palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and the use of palaeoecological data to understand climate and environmental change during the Quaternary.
• Ecosystems: Develops awareness of the importance of various ecosystems and their management for conservation.
• Environmental Pollution: Explores the causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies for environmental pollution.
• Environmental and Societal Challenges: Examines societal challenges stemming from human impact on the Earth system, including science policy and application.
• Applications of Environmental Sciences: Reviews applied case studies in environmental science, including air quality management, waste management, and renewable energy.
• Understanding Globalisation: Explores debates about globalisation within sociology and related disciplines, examining global institutions, corporations, and processes.

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Optional Placement Year:

• Students can choose to complete a 2-week placement during the course and a minimum 30-week work placement on a sandwich-year course.
• The placement year offers a chance to gain experience and make contacts for the future.
• Students not on a sandwich-year course will complete a 2-week and 4-week short placement during their course.

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Final Year:

• Core unit:
• Independent Research Project: Students conduct a research project on a topic of their choice, demonstrating their ability to report research findings.
• Option units include:
• Space Place and Environment: Provides practical study through field trips, exploring biological oceanography, plankton, benthos, and ocean biota.
• Contemporary Topics in Geography: Explores current important topics in geography, critically evaluating them from various perspectives.
• Geomorphological Research: Introduces practical geomorphological research using case studies, developing research project design and execution skills.
• Emergence & Extinction: Examines past and current theories surrounding environmental change and its effects on species emergence and extinction.
• Environmental Remote Sensing: Develops expertise in environmental remote sensing, including data manipulation, analysis, and image integration.
• Marine Conservation: Critically evaluates approaches to marine biodiversity conservation and management, including fisheries and protected areas.
• Wildlife and Ecotourism: Explores the impact of human activities on the natural environment, focusing on tourism and conservation strategies.
• Sustainable Development and Globalisation: Examines the inter-relationships between sustainable development and globalisation, analyzing current issues and debates.
• Conservation Biogeography: Focuses on the analysis of geographical patterns and their effects on biological processes, considering land use patterns and their influence on biodiversity.
• Climate and Environmental Change: Provides a scientific background on climate change, examining its causes, trends, impacts, and mitigation/adaptation strategies.
• Environmental Law: Critically examines the legal and policy applications of environmental law and its role in environmental protection.
• Freshwater Resource Management: Presents theory and practice for freshwater resource conservation and management, including sustainable development, conservation, and planning policy.

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Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary depending on the unit and may include:
• Coursework: Essays, reports, presentations, projects, and practical exercises.
• Exams: Written examinations covering course content.
• Fieldwork: Data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Portfolio: A collection of work demonstrating skills and knowledge.

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Teaching:

• Teaching is delivered by a range of staff with relevant expertise, including senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians, and research students.
• Regular guest lectures from industry professionals provide additional insights.
• Teaching methods include:
• Lectures: Provide a structured overview of course content.
• Seminars: Facilitate discussion and critical analysis of topics.
• Practical sessions: Provide hands-on experience in field and laboratory settings.
• Field trips: Offer real-world learning experiences in various environments.

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Careers:

• Graduates are prepared for a diverse range of jobs in various industries, including:
• Environmental Scientist
• Land Surveyor
• Development Assistant
• Schools Coordinator
• Industries where graduates work include:
• Government agencies
• Local authorities
• Environmental and landscape consultancies
• Multi-national companies
• Voluntary organisations
• Specializations include:
• Resource management
• Planning
• Surveying
• Renewable energy
• Countryside management
• Skills in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are highly sought after by employers.

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Other:

• The program emphasizes practical learning and fieldwork, making the most of the location near the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
• Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience through work placements.
• The program has a strong graduate employment record.
• The Student Environment Research Team (SERT) provides opportunities for volunteer work on short projects relevant to professional practice.

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Tuition fees: £9,250 (UK, ROI & CI) £18,800 (Int'l) per year Foundation year: £9,250 (UK, ROI & CI) £18,800 (Int'l) Placement year: £1,850​ Part-time study: Fees are charged on a pro-rata basis of the full-time fee