Major Overview
- Description
Geographical Sciences is the science of place and space, standing at the intersection of natural and social sciences. Geographers study the Earth's landscapes, peoples, places and environments, and how these interact. Understanding and providing solutions to environmental problems and the Worlds big issues requires an understanding of the complex space-time interactions of water, climate and the interdependence between human activities and the natural, economic and cultural environments.
The Geographical Sciences major provides you with these insights, focusing on the major challenges facing our planet including climate change, population growth, urban expansion and megacities, natural disasters and environmental conservation. The major incorporates a wide range of opportunities to develop career relevant skills including GIS usage, data collection and analysis, as well as professional communication skills encompassing policy briefs, consultancy reports and oral presentations.
The course includes overnight domestic field trips throughout the major.
The single major is structured in a way that allows students to include enriching optional elective Geography courses that includes overseas fieldwork units (past destinations includes: Bali, Barcelona, Seattle and Japan), and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).
- Outcomes
Students are able to:
- apply geographical concepts as in understanding change in human and physical environments.
- explain the geographical causes and consequences of major environmental and social issues, including climate change, land degradation, urbanisation and sustainability.
- apply methods for the investigation and interpretation of spatial processes and patterns in physical and human environments, including the use of GIS and Remote Sensing.
- communicate geographical perspectives and knowledge effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means
- generate, create and produce effective knowledge, and apply practical and technical skills to resolve geographical challenges and questions.
- Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
- Prerequisites
Mathematics Methods ATAR (or equivalent or higher), or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics units.
- Courses
Geographical Sciences can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
Example Study Plan
See study plans for more information.
Units
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
Level 1
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | GEOG1104 | Disasters! | None |
| S1 | GEOG1106 | Climate Change: Environment and Society | None |
| S1, S2 | SCIE1104 | Science, Society and Data Analysis |
Bridging units
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended).
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and either MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended).
Note: MATH1721 should be taken if also considering majors or minors that require it for progression to level 2 (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods | |
| S1, S2 | SCIE1500 | Analytical Methods for Scientists |
Level 2
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ENVT2220 | The Climate System | None |
| S2 | ENVT2251 | Hydrology and Water Resource Management |
|
| S1, S2 | GEOG2201 | Geographic Information Systems |
|
| S2 | GEOG2202 | Reading Landscapes: People and Processes |
|
Level 3
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ENVT3306 | Coastal Conservation and Management |
|
| S1 | GEOG3300 | Advanced Spatial Analysis |
|
| S2 | GEOG3301 | Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing |
|
| S2 | GEOG3303 | Environmental Policy and Planning |
|