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Bachelor of Science (Geography)

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Specialisations).

The Geography specialisation requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

Admission requirements

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

Course aims

The Bachelor of Science (Geography) is one of the few degrees to encompass very different ways of knowing, from the biophysical and social sciences to the humanities. Graduates are therefore uniquely equipped to understand and address critical problems facing the world.

The Bachelor of Science (Geography) aims to provide a broad foundation in geography. The course will investigate the distribution of phenomena across space, biophysical processes and features, and dynamic relationships between humans, their cultures, and environments. The course will cover a range of contemporary issues including social and environmental justice, and the efficient, equitable and sustainable use of resources.

This course also aims to support each student’s development of a range of skills including the capacities to:

  • apply relevant geographical principles to problem solving as well as to the understanding of everyday issues
  • employ the diverse research techniques used in geographical fields
  • 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.

The program of studies provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in geography, another science or non-science related discipline or 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.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Geography) a student must complete 108 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 108 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 108 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.

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)
STEM1001  Nature of STEM (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)
STAT1122 Biostatistics (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

GEOG2030 Sustainable Development: Concepts and Principles (4.5 units)
GEOG2050 Population Dynamics (4.5 units)
GEOG2142 Environment, Economy and Culture (4.5 units)
GEOG3112 Society and Space (4.5 units)
STEM2001  Remote Sensing for all Disciplines (4.5 units)

Option - Year 2 topics

Plus one of: 

GEOG2712  Asian Regional Development (4.5 units)
GEOG3133 Adapting to Climate Change (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

GEOG3040 Environmental Impact Assessment (4.5 units)
GEOG3761 Caring As Country: Indigenous Environmental Management (4.5 units)
STEM2004 Advanced Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)
STEM3100 Research Project in Science (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units selected from:

ENVS3742 Emerging Issues in Australian Environmental Management (4.5 units) 
ENVS3750 Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines (4.5 units)  
ENVS3791 Coastal Environments (4.5 unit)
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:

HIST1803 'The Lucky Country'? Australia and the World since 1939 (4.5 units) 
HIST2016 Globalisation in World History (4.5 units)
INDG1000  Indigenous Studies: An Introduction  (4.5 units)
INDG2004  Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledges  (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) 

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) .

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Geography) may also be studied in a combined degree program with:

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Last Updated: 14 Nov 2019
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