Bath Spa University

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Geography

Geography is ‘best of both worlds’, bridging the earth sciences and the social sciences, so enabling our students to develop unique understandings of the inter-relationships between people and their physical and social environments.

For more information about this course please visit the School of Science, Society and Management website.

Studying geography at BSU teaches you up-to-date knowledge of your subject and also enables valuable skills such as digital mapping, data acquisition and analysis, survey skills, communication and independent, reasoned thinking. Our geography graduates are highly valued by employers for this balance of knowledge and skills.

We pride ourselves on the provision of contemporary and relevant teaching in both physical and human geography. The degree is structured around a core (compulsory) module at each level; beyond that, most of your studies will be in modules you choose. This means you can construct a degree that increasingly specializes either in human or physical geography, or you can follow a balanced pattern throughout. If you aspire to a particular career path, then you can choose the pathway that is best for you.

Whatever you choose to study, you can be sure of the highest standards of teaching, learning support and facilities, whether it be Minerva, our virtual learning environment, IT rooms, scientific laboratories, field equipment or the field days, events and activities we organize. Students and graduates tell us that our enthusiasm for our subject is infectious and because we are happy to chat about issues informally and can help you outside of classes, you will feel more valued and better motivated to succeed.

Course Structure and Content

Year 1

Your first year (level 4) is centred on a core double module (40 credits) Foundations in Geography. This deals with what makes Geography an exciting, varied and applied subject. Foundations offers an integrated approach to the study of the geo-social and earth sciences and what makes this module special lies in our attention to developing skills as well as knowledge: you will learn how to use the technologies, methods, techniques and equipment that geographers need to use, with increasing confidence. You will also commence to build your employability profile under our guidance. The practical application of subject knowledge is the underlying philosophy of this module.

In addition to the core module we usually offer these options (all 20 credits) from which you can choose one or two:

• Introduction to Physical Landscapes,
• Development and Sustainability,
• People and Place,
• Earth Observation: An Introduction.

The remainder of level 4 is made up with at least 40 credits from a second subject of your choice, such as Biology, Sociology, Business and Management, Psychology, Food Studies or others in the university. The second subject is dropped at the end of level 4 for the BSc (Hons) Geography degree.

Year 2

Your second year (level 5) also centres on a core double module (40 credits) titled Geography and Geographers. The aim here is for you to acquire specialist skills in geographical research methods, human and physical, and to extend your abilities as a team player and as a professional. Geography and Geographers puts the subject and the sectors is serves in historical context and highlights the relevance of geographical knowledge to many different professional sectors. Your research skills are developed through two extended research projects where you will apply your growing mastery of your subject to real-world problems and issues. This module also gives you the chance to engage with the Royal Geographical Society and other professional bodies as we begin to help you map out potential career paths. The rest of your studies are optional, and the usual module choices are (you can choose four):

• River and Coastal Systems,
• Global Climate Change,
• Environmental Hazards,
• Field Investigation (includes a residential fieldtrip),
• Culture, Place and Belonging,
• Criminology and Criminal Justice,
• Sustainable Communities,
• Project Management,
• Overseas Development Experience (includes overseas placement),
• Geosciences Industry Experience,
• Digital Cartography.

All optional modules are 20 credits each.

Year 3

In your final year (level 6), you take the skills and knowledge perfected throughout the degree to design, conduct and write up your very own geography Dissertation (40 credits). There is a huge variety in choice in what you do for a dissertation and throughout the study you will benefit from one-to-one tuition and expert guidance. The rest of the third year is made up from 20 credit optional modules such as these (you can choose four):

• Climatology,
• Quaternary Environments,
• Coastal and River Management,
• International Fieldwork (includes a residential fieldtrip),
• Radicals and Discontents,
• Historical Geographies,
• Globalization: Crises and Opportunities,
• The Geomatics Industry,
• Survey Practice,
• Community Engagement (includes a local volunteering placement).

Teaching Methods and Resources

Geography encourages your learning through a variety of formats: lectures, seminars, team work, laboratories, IT workshops, and in the field - for 'hands on', real life experience.

Our location, nestled in a parkland valley setting just outside Bath, is a beautiful and unique 'natural laboratory' in which to pursue environmental education and we make the most of the setting. We have all the latest technologies and learning resources and Geographers have access to two IT laboratories with geographical software such as ArcGIS and Idrisi. In addition there is a comprehensive stock of field and laboratory equipment (see Notes below for details). Practicals take place in well-equipped science laboratories or out in the grounds of the Newton Park campus. You will find free wireless internet access is available in the Department and across our campus. We currently spend over £10,000 each year on online journals so you can access the latest geographic research in seconds.

Departmental Research

The Department hosts two active research groups covering physical and human geography, ensuring that your teaching is informed by up-to-date, specialised staff expertise. The research groups often inform dissertation ideas for students and you will benefit from our annual Research Seminar Series which includes external guest speakers and is open to all.

All our academic staff are professional geographers who undertake research and scholarship at the cutting edge of their discipline, publishing papers in international journals, textbooks for undergraduate use, and speaking at international conferences, as well as making media appearances. All research undertaken is of direct benefit to students. Indeed, some of our work is about enhancing the learning of geography at university. Students have co-authored papers with members of staff, and some have remained with us to carry out postgraduate research leading to doctorate level.

Fieldwork

Everyone agrees that field work is an integral part of Geography. Most of our modules contain a field work element, whether a day trip to a local destination or a residential stay either in the UK or abroad. We have a policy of minimizing our carbon footprint when undertaking field activities, for instance in using public transport where available. Wherever you go and however you get there, all fieldwork allows you to test ideas and concepts from a real-life perspective and offers opportunities for training in the application of field equipment and survey techniques.

• Year 1 includes field days at places such as the Dorset coast, Bristol, the Brecon Beacons, the Mendip Hills, and Bath,
• Year 2 includes field days to the Severn Estuary, South Somerset, Gordano Valley, Cardiff and Bath. There is also an optional UK residential course, currently based in Merseyside,
• Year 3 includes destinations such as the Somerset Levels, Salisbury Plain, Devon, central London, Avebury. At present we also take an optional field course to the exciting city of Barcelona. Previous destinations included Brittany, Boston and Naples.

New fieldtrips are introduced regularly to maintain the highest relevance to your studies.

Assessment Methods

We believe in carefully matching our assessment methods to our teaching objectives and to your learning outcomes. This means that in Geography you will experience a wide range of assessment types, including essays, projects, oral and slide presentations, examinations and e-tests, field notebooks, reflective learning logs, dictionary entries, laboratory practicals and photographic portfolios. Modules typically have a blend of coursework and examination, though many of our modules are assessed entirely through coursework.

Notes

Resources available include ArcGIS and Idrisi software, Leica Smart Rovers, handheld Global Positioning System devices, survey seismograph, Russian and standard sediment corers, teaching microscopes, stream flow meters, particle size analysis kits, digital Schmidt hammers, digital weather station, campus stream gauging station, digital dictaphones, digital video cameras, laptops and subscriptions to key research journals online. Do please note that not all field courses are run every year and that all off-campus events and their funding are subject to annual review. Also, module availability may vary over time - if a particular module is of interest and you want to know more, just get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help!

Typical Offers

240-280 UCAS Tariff points (eg BCC; BB+AS a), with minimum 80 points from geography or a related subject such as science, sociology, economics.