wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Thu May 25 16:42:33 EST 2000
Auth: S Steele, ITS Web and Internet Facilities
Copyright © Monash University 1999 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
The
School of Geography and Environmental Science offers geography sequences in the
faculties of Arts and Science. The school also offers a sequence permitting
undergraduate specialisation in environmental science for the BA, BEnvSc and
BSc degrees and in atmospheric science for the BEnvSc and BSc degrees. At
postgraduate level, MA, MSc, MEnvSc and PhD degrees are offered, and there is
an active involvement in other postgraduate programs.
The program has been adapted to suit local educational and vocational demands,
but is otherwise fully representative of geography's international profile. Its
goal is to develop a mature understanding of the following:
The contexts addressed encompass an array of
cultures and environments in both hemispheres, and make frequent reference to
Australian examples. Students are thereby encouraged to see that individual and
collective responsibility for the environment can be expressed through an
informed engagement with local, regional and global issues. The school
contributes to interdisciplinary programs in Asian studies, Australian studies,
development studies, environmental engineering, environmental science,
atmospheric science, European studies and women's studies.
The term 'environment' is employed at every level in the geography curriculum.
It subsumes the following:
Students are therefore expected to come to an
appreciation of internal variations of landscape and activity within each of
these categories. The material and concepts studied require critical evaluation
across various spatial scales.
Geography requires students to develop the following useful capabilities:
An appreciation of the importance of field and
laboratory-based observations is required at all levels, especially in physical
geography options. Computer techniques are considered highly relevant, from a
minimum expectation of basic keyboarding to the integration of sophisticated
analytical methods in later segments of the program.
Students may major in either the physical or human branches of geography, in a
combination of the two, or in environmental science. Physical geography shares
with other branches of the natural sciences an interest in the earth's
atmosphere, vegetation cover and terrain. Human geography shares with other
branches of the humanities and social sciences an interest in the ways in which
human communities occupy, use and modify the earth's surface. It is recommended
that students pursue studies in both branches, to take advantage of geography's
invaluable role as a link between the arts and sciences.
Allowance is made throughout for the selection of individual courses which
service broader campus programs, and for the formation of recognised sequences
in geography and environmental science.
Those proceeding into the fourth or honours year have the further opportunity
to consolidate their understanding of an area (or areas) of specialisation,
while pursuing a research topic under expert supervision. Combined honours may
be taken in the School of Geography and Environmental Science and another
discipline provided that all honours requirements have been met in both
disciplines and subject to the approval of the heads of both departments.
For postgraduate courses offered by the School of Geography and Environmental
Science, refer to the graduate handbook.
Specific prerequisites for each of the second and third-year options are noted in the individual subject descriptions. A first-year-level sequence followed by 12 points at second-year level forms a minor sequence. To convert a minor to a major sequence, a student must complete third-year-level subjects to the value of 24 points.
Students seeking advice on their course programs or other academic matters are invited to approach the appropriate year coordinator:
The
primary objective of the first-year syllabus is to explore human impacts on the
environment and to introduce key concepts in physical and human geography. No
prior studies in geography are required to begin first-year study.
A first-year sequence in geography consists of two semester subjects. In first
semester, students enrol in GES1000 (Natural environment and human impact). In
second semester, they may choose either GES1020 (Australian physical
environments: evolution, status and management) or GES1050 (The global
challenge). Students not wishing to complete a first-year sequence may take the
first-semester subject, or one or both of the second-semester subjects.
The second-year syllabus permits students to select from a variety of systematic sub-disciplines. The satisfactory completion of a full minor sequence in geography (a 12-point first-year sequence plus 12 points at second year) equips students with an appreciation of the nature of the subject as a whole and with a knowledge of the fundamental contents and approaches contained within one or both of its human and physical branches.
plus the following 8-point subjects:
At third-year level, majoring students elect to enrol in one or more of the main systematic fields which are intended to challenge them with appropriate advanced material and to intensify their familiarity with the purpose and practice of original research work.
Mid-year
entry is offered by this school. Combined honours may be taken in the School of
Geography and Environmental Science and another discipline, provided that all
honours requirements have been met in both disciplines and subject to the
approval of the heads of departments.
The due date for the submission of final coursework and thesis is the last day
of the final semester of the honours program (Friday 2 June in first semester
2000 and Friday 20 October in second semester 2000).
The school may grant an extension of time for submission of the honours thesis
or for final coursework up to the last day of the examination period of the
semester in which the work is due. Applications for extension beyond this date
must be made to the Committee for Undergraduate Studies.
There are three different parts of the honours-year course:
For students who wish to enrol for further study, MA, MENnvSc, MSc and PhD degrees in geography are offered. See the graduate studies handbook for details.
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Thu May 25 16:42:33 EST 2000