Geography

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

In the first foundation year, you will be introduced to core components of Environmental Earth Science.

Your foundation year will help you acclimatise to university - our focus is in supporting you to learn the skills you will need to thrive in a Geography degree. That means taking modules in the foundation year which will introduce you to contemporary debates related to understanding, monitoring and responding to environmental change. As a geography student, you will have a plenty of optional modules and can choose between our humanities and social science options. Depending on your preference for human or physical geography, you can take Environmental Management or Introduction to Social Science. All of our modules are designed to help you develop your academic skills and introduce you to core topics. Fieldwork is fundamental to geographical research and two of your modules will involve fieldwork. This will include a trip to a local nature reserve where you will learn methods including bird, insect and plant species observation, habitat and hydrological sketch mapping, site management practices (hydrology and geology), site links to local community and economy, and site design. Our Geography with integrated foundation programme offers you the chance to enhance core skills required for your degree in a supportive environment.

In your second year you will be introduced to:

• key concepts in geographical study
• issues and techniques in the collection, analysis and presentation of geographical data
• climate change
• landscape processes
• economic development
• globalization

In your third year you will develop further in:

• laboratory and computer research skills in preparation for your independent research project
• you will learn how to analyse quantitative and qualitative datasets
• produce maps and other graphical representations of geographical data
• participate in a residential field trip in the UK or overseas

You can also choose optional modules to specialise or simply maintain a broad interest across Geography.

In your final year:

• you will undertake an independent research project involving collection, analysis and interpretation of your own data
• you will be allocated your own advisor who will provide expert guidance
• optional modules as diverse as glaciology, hydrology, volcanic hazards, past climate change, urbanisation, and rural change will enable you to tailor your study to suit your interests

How will I be taught?

Our courses are taught through lectures, seminars, laboratory and computer practical classes, small group tutorials, field courses and individual supervision of project work.

How will I be assessed?

We assess our students through a different range of methods. Some modules are assessed in part through traditional exams, but some have elements of coursework. We also have some modules that may require the student to produce practical reports, oral presentations, the design of web pages, production of short films, or contribution to online discussion forums. Some modules, notably the tutorials and field courses are assessed entirely through coursework.