Geography is a dynamic discipline that is increasingly recognised as an integral part of developing holistic approaches to contemporary problems in society and environment. The advent of products such as Google Earth (TM) and the rapid uptake of spatial technology in many facets of day-to-day life has also put geography on the public agenda. In essence, geographers study Earth's diversity, its resources, and humankind's survival on the planet. This involves analysing the associations of things and events that give special character to particular places; the interconnections between different areas; and the working of complex systems through time. Geography is the only academic discipline in which an integrative perspective focusing on spatial relationships and processes is a fundamental concern. Geography takes an integrative approach to environmental problems and their solutions, including the study of economic, cultural and social goals and processes that determine strategies for resource use and ecosystem management.
Students undertaking the major in geography are provided with a rich learning environment characterised by an exciting mix of theoretical and practical training in an applied setting. The course options in the major expose students to a diverse range of skills that are much in demand, including experiential and field-based learning, GIS and spatial technology, the principles of modeling, integrated research training, and small-group learning that draws upon the diversity of student and staff professional and cultural backgrounds. The major in geography will equip students with a thorough yet broad-based grounding in the discipline, the background to pursuing a professional career related to geography.
Learning Outcomes
Evaluate current geographic approaches to investigating a range of environment and sustainability issues and management strategies in international and Australian contexts.
Integrate knowledge relevant to geographical science and policy across disciplines.
Apply a range of written, oral and visual communication skills to effectively convey and discuss information about geographical science and policy in multidisciplinary contexts, and
Engage with current environment and sustainability policy debates, recognising the socio-political and cultural contexts in which they occur.
Other Information
What 1st year courses should you enrol in? ENVS1003 & ENVS1001 plus a maximum of 6 units chosen from ENVS1004, ENVS1008, EMSC1006
A minor in Geography, when taken in conjunction with the Geography major, allows greater specialisation in a particular area of interest. A minor or minors in Human Ecology, Environmental Policy, Development Studies and/or Sustainable Development would make a valuable complement to the major in Geography.
Students should seek further course advice from the academic convener of this Geography major.
As an exception, courses listed in this major but not listed in the Science course list will contribute towards the 96 unit Science requirement for students completing the major.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must consist of:
12 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:
ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability (6 units)
ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)
A minimum of 6 units from the completion of courses from the following list:
ENVS2002 Environmental Measurement, Modelling and Monitoring (6 units)
ENVS2014 Qualitative Research Methods for Sustainability (6 units)
ENVS2015 GIS and Spatial Analysis (6 units)
A maximum of 12 units from the completion of courses from the following list:
ENVS2001 Biodiversity Science: Wildlife, Vegetation and Landscape Ecology (6 units)
ENVS2004 Fire, Flood and Drought (6 units)
ENVS2005 Island Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School (12 units)
ENVS2007 Economics for the Environment (6 units)
ENVS2011 Human Ecology (6 units)
ENVS2012 Sustainable Urban Systems (6 units)
ENVS2013 Society and Environmental Change (6 units)
ENVS2017 Vietnam Field School (12 units)
ENVS2018 Environmental Science Field School (6 units)
ENVS2020 Water Science (6 units)
ENVS2023 Sustainable Agricultural Systems (6 units)
ENVS2025 Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management (6 units)
DEMO2001 Understanding population change (6 units)
DEMO2002 Population Analysis (6 units)
PASI2001 Pacific Studies in a Globalizing World (6 units)
A minimum of 18 units from the completion of courses from the following list:
ENVS3004 Land and Catchment Management (6 units)
ENVS3005 Water Management (6 units)
ENVS3007 Participatory Resource Management: Working with Communities and Stakeholders (6 units)
ENVS3008 Fire in the Environment (6 units)
ENVS3013 Climate Change: Past, Present and Future (6 units)
ENVS3019 Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS (6 units)
ENVS3020 Climate Change Science & Policy (6 units)
ENVS3028 Environmental Policy (6 units)
ENVS3029 Palaeo-Environmental Reconstruction (6 units)
ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy (6 units)
INDG3001 First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia (6 units)
PASI3013 Environment and Development in the Pacific (6 units)
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