Course aims

This course will develop your understanding of physical and human geography, challenge your perceptions and stimulate your investigative and analytical skills. The course topics reflect key issues in the world today.

Entry requirements

You will require a grade 6 in Geography, 6 in English and 5 in Mathematics in addition to the general entry requirements. 

Course content

Physical Geography

• Water and carbon cycles: the dynamic and cyclical relationships associated with water and carbon
• Coastal systems and landscapes: how the interaction of winds, waves currents and sediments develop the dynamic environments of the coastal zone
• Hazards: focuses on the lithosphere and the atmosphere which present hazards to human populations
• Cold environments: the distinctive physical processes and landscapes associated with cold environments and the challenges and opportunities they present for human development.

Human Geography

• Global systems and global governance: the process of globalisation and the governance of different parts of the planet including Antarctica
• Places: the experience and characteristics of specific places and people’s engagement with them
• Contemporary urban environments: focuses on how urban areas grow, change and why they present significant environmental and social challenges for human populations

Geographical investigation (20% of final grade)

You are required to undertake an independent fieldwork investigation in relation to processes in both physical and human geography. This will be assessed as a written fieldwork report. Your geographical skills in using statistical tests, maps, presenting and interpreting data in a variety of graphical forms will also be developed.

Course assessment

Examinations – There will be 2 examinations that are each 2 hours and 30 minutes long. The first being on the physical geography content and the second being on the human geography content.

Non-examined assessment – This is a written report developed by the students independently to demonstrate their understanding of field work, including research skills, field work capability, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation and evaluation.

Materials

Dudley Sixth provides textbooks and equipment for fieldwork. Compulsory attendance on fieldwork is required with a contribution from the learner (financial assistance may be available from Dudley Sixth).

Progress

Higher Education to study earth sciences, teaching or surveying. Employment with environmental agencies and conservation bodies.