Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Geography)

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

This course is one of the few degrees to encompass very different ways of knowing, from the biophysical and social sciences to the humanities. Consequently, it offers an exceptional foundation for developing high quality, resilient, and transferable conceptual, research, analytical, and communication skills. The course allows students to develop and integrate understandings of the natural and social worlds and their intersections, making graduates uniquely equipped to understand and address critical problems facing the world. The honours program extends the foundations gained during undergraduate studies and requires completion of a major research assignment. It also aims to support each student’s development of a range of skills including the capacities to:

undertake an individual research project in an area of geography, from planning to completion
apply relevant geographical principles to problem solving as well as to understanding of everyday issues
select and apply relevant research techniques to a geographical question
interpret and present information about geography in appropriate ways, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written, graphic, and spoken form
retrieve, critically analyse, and evaluate information relevant to geography and apply this knowledge to solve problems and add to knowledge
appreciate the multidisciplinary power of geography and engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
appreciate the role of geography in society and the ethical issues associated with it
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
work cooperatively and productively within a team.

Honours prepares students for ongoing professional development, for further studies in geography or another science or non-science based discipline, for a career in a geography-related field, or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the specialisation in Geography, graduates will be able to:

demonstrate an understanding of geography as an academic discipline, including awareness of its concepts, history and principal subfields, whilst acknowledging the contested, provisional and situated nature of geographical understanding
demonstrate a coherent geographical understanding of trends, processes and impacts that shape Australian and other environments and/or societies at different spatial and temporal scales
recognise, evaluate and synthesise various views, arguments and sources of knowledge pertinent to solving environmental and social problems
apply geographical thought and research procedures creatively, critically and appropriately to specific spaces, places and/or environments
resolve geographical questions by ethical means, applying evidence-based knowledge and appropriate research techniques, including those associated with field work
communicate geographical perspectives and knowledge effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means
work and learn independently and direct their intellectual and continuing professional development as geographers
contribute effectively as a member or leader of diverse teams working in geographical or multidisciplinary contexts
appreciate and understand the relationships and connections between different disciplines
understand the role of science in society, operate within relevant regulatory frameworks and value ethical behaviour in scholarship and professional activity
be able to plan and execute an individual research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Geography) a student must complete 144 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 144 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

Elective topics to complete 144 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Upon completion of at least 103.5 units and with a GPA of 5 or more in the last 36 units of study, students may commence the Fourth Year Honours program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with the Bachelor of Science (Geography) on completion of 108 units.

Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the Program may choose to exit with the Bachelor of Science (Geography).

Specialisation - Geography - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

GEOG1001 Environment and Society (4.5 units)
GEOG1002 Human Geography: Geographies of Oppression (4.5 units)
EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 units)
STEM1002 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

One of:

MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
NMCY1001 Academic and Professional Numeracy (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Geography - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

DVST2701 Sustainable Development (4.5 units)
GEOG2722 Society and Space (4.5 units)
ENVS2742 Environment, Economy and Culture (4.5 units)
PPHR2721 Demography (4.5 units)
STEM2001 Remote Sensing for all Disciplines (4.5 units)

Option - Year 2 topics

Plus one of:

GEOG2711 Australian Environmental Change (4.5 units)
GEOG2712 Asian Regional Development (4.5 units)
ENVS2712 Environmental Change and Human Health (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Geography - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

ENVS3702 Applied Environmental Practice (9 units)
ENVS3732 Environmental Impact Assessment (4.5 units)
GEOG3761 Caring As Country: Indigenous Environmental Management (4.5 units)
STEM2004 Advanced Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

Plus one of:

ENVS3742 Emerging Issues in Australian Environmental Management (4.5 units)
ENVS3750 Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines (4.5 units)
ENVS3781 Population and Environment (4.5 units)
STEM2003 Airborne Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry (4.5 units)
STEM3003 Modelling in Space and Time, Geostatistics and GIS (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics# from across the University where entry requirements are met.

#Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as a third-year elective.

Recommended electives:

AUST1001 Australian Studies: Identities (4.5 units)
AUST1004 An Introduction to Aboriginal Studies (4.5 units)
AUST2612 Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledges (4.5 units)
HIST1803 'The Lucky Country'? Australia and the World since 1939 (4.5 units)
HIST2016 Globalisation in World History (4.5 units)
INTR1101 Discovering Asia (4.5 units)
INTR1102 Modern Asia since 1945 (4.5 units)
INTR1006 International Relations: An Introduction (4.5 units)
INTR2003 The Asia-Pacific in the 20th Century (4.5 units)
INTR2100 Reimagining the Global South (4.5 units)
POLI2020 Australian Indigenous Politics (4.5 units)
TOUR2101 Place, Culture and Tourism (4.5 units)
TOUR2102 Introduction to Tourism Research (4.5 units)

Specialisation - Geography - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 topics

ENVS7700A Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700B Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700C Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700D Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700E Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
STEM7001 Honours Research Methods (4.5 units)

Option - Year 4 topics

Select two of*:

ENVH7711 Environmental Health Concepts (4.5 units)
ENVH7722 Food Safety (4.5 units)
ENVH7731 Sustainable Development -Health Issues (4.5 units)
ENVH7742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases (4.5 units)
ENVS7701 Coastal Management (4.5 units)
GEOG7721 Population Issues of Developed and Developing Countries (4.5 units)
STEM8004 Modelling in Space and Time, Geostatistics and GIS GE (4.5 units)

*or another topic approved by the Course Co-ordinator, appropriate to a student’s program.

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Geography) may also be studied in a combined degree program with another Bachelor degree in the College of Science and Engineering where the combination meets the requirements of the credit transfer policy.