Bachelor of Geography

University of Wollongong

About

Geography covers a broad range of topics of contemporary relevance.

Geographers help shape the future by understanding, explaining and predicting both human and physical environments.

You will study the human and physical forces that shape the planet and the political, social and environmental issues that arise as a consequence of human interactions with the Earth.

Geographers help understand and plan for a sustainable, socially just and resilient future.

Never before has the skill set of geographers been so important at time of recognised anthropogenic climate change and predicted increases in sea-levels, bushfires and flooding.Geography students will engage in interdisciplinary study from a strong common foundation of compulsory core human and physical geography subjects in first and second year.

Students will then choose and complete a specialised stream in third year.

This geography course will provide students with the skills, abilities and competencies demanded by employers and will provide a stable foundation for continuing professional development.

Structure

The Bachelor of Geography requires the successful completion of 144 credit points as specified in the table below, comprising:

  1. core subjects;
  2. a defined stream in either Human or Physical Geography at 300 level;
  3. elective subjects from the recommended electives, the General Schedule or a minor as outlined below; and
  4. no more than 60 credit points at 100 level.

Year 1

Autumn Session

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EESC105 Introductory Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, Spring
GEOG121 Life in a Globalising World 6 Autumn

Plus 12 credit points from the recommended electives, the General Schedule or a minor

Spring Session

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EESC102 Earth's Interconnected Spheres 6 Spring
EESC103 Earth's Dynamic Surface 6 Spring
GEOG122 Living in a Material World 6 Spring
GEOG123 Indigenous Geographies: Questioning Country 6 Spring

Year 2

Autumn Session

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EESC203 Biogeography and Environmental Change 6 Autumn
GEOG221 Population Geography: People, Place, Inequality 6 Autumn

Plus 12 credit points from the recommended electives, the General Schedule or a minor

Spring Session

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EESC202 Shaping Earth's Surface 6 Spring
GEOG222 Society and Environment: Resources, Challenges, Futures 6 Spring
GEOG224 The Future of Food: Resilience, Communities and Policy 6 Spring
GEOG231 Maps and Apps for Social Scientists 6 Spring

Year 3

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EESC331 Changing Global Environments 6 Spring

Plus 42 credit points from the one of two streams (Physical Geography or Human Geography)

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EESC209 G-cubed: Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics 6 Spring
GEOS215 Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironments 6 Autumn
EESC323 Fluvial Geomorphology and Sedimentology 6 Autumn
EESC320 Project Management in the Earth and Environmental Sciences 6 Spring
EESC322 Coastal Environments: Process and Management 6 Spring

Plus 12 credit points from the Human Geography stream, recommended electives, General Schedule or a minor

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
GEOG336 Qualitative Research Design for Social Scientists 6 Autumn
GEOG338 Planning Urban Futures 6 Autumn
GEOG337 Policy for Environmental and Heritage Management 6 Spring
GEOG353 Qualitative GIS 6 Spring

Plus 18 credit points from the Physical Geography stream, recommended electives, General Schedule or a minor

Recommended electives

The following elective subjects are recommended. Students can also choose elective subjects from the General Schedule and Schedule of Minors.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
EESC101 Planet Earth 6 Autumn
EESC207 Advanced Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, Spring
GEOG241 Urban Geographies: Just and Sustainable Cities? 6 Autumn
GEOG251 Disaster Geographies: Risk, Policy, Management 6 Autumn
CRLP200 Career Ready Learning & Practice 6 Autumn, Spring, Summer
GEOG292 Social Science Research Internship 6 Autumn, Spring
GEOG335 Directed Studies in Geography and Sustainable Communities A 6 Autumn
GEOG339 Geographies of Change: International Fieldwork Intensive 6 Autumn, Spring
GEOG351 Directed Studies in Geography and Sustainable Communities B 6 Spring
GEOG352 Social Science Research Internship 6 Autumn, Spring
GEOG354 Environmental Crime and Justice 6 Autumn

For information regarding timetables, tutorials, and classes please the visit the Timetables and Classes page.

Minors are not compulsory in this degree, however sufficient elective space exists to complete one. Students are referred to the Schedule of Minors for a listing of available options.

Students intending to become a primary or secondary school teacher, by enrolling in a Master of Teaching in the future, should consult the School of Education to determine an appropriate elective study pattern from Year 1.

Honours

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description 1 Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the human activities and physical trends and processes that impact the Earth and its environment, including local, national, global, and temporal perspectives. 2 Critically evaluate information and data to assess methods and frameworks applied to specific spaces, places or environments. 3 Participate effectively and constructively as a team member in professional contexts. 4 Identify and articulate real world problems that demonstrate an understanding of Geography and its academic sub-disciplines, whilst acknowledging contested understandings, including Indigenous perspectives. 5 Apply scientific method, evidence based knowledge and appropriate research techniques, including those associated with fieldwork, to evaluate possible solutions to real world geographical problems. 6 Locate, synthesise and evaluate data, information, results and literature relating to geographical problems. 7 Communicate geographical knowledge and perspectives to a range of audiences using appropriate technologies and communication skills. 8 Demonstrate an ability to self-direct and reflect on intellectual development and ethical practice.

Institution