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Monash University:
University handbooks: Undergraduate handbook:
Units indexed by faculty Geography and environmental scienceCoordinators: Listed below for each level The disciplineGeography is concerned with the relationships between people and the natural environment, and includes ‘physical’ (eg landscape processes) and ‘human’ (eg cityscapes and population migration) geographies. It employs a variety of spatial and temporal techniques to understand these various landscapes, or components of them, and provide a basis for their rational management. The School of Geography and Environmental Science offers geography sequences in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science. The school also offers a sequence permitting undergraduate specialisation in environmental science for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Environmental Science (BEnvSc) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees and in atmospheric science for the BEnvSc and BSc degrees. 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 key characteristics of places; the complex interdependence of human activities; the roles of human agency in the transformation of the earth’s surface; and the availability of a rich diversity of approaches to the accumulation of knowledge concerning the interrelationships of place, people and environment. The term ‘environment’ is employed at every level in the geography curriculum. It considers the following: the notion of ‘natural’ environments unaltered by human activity; human-modified environments representing profound alterations over vast areas of the globe and including, most notably, agricultural systems and rural settlement; and even more ‘artificial’ environments such as industrialised regions and urban areas. 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 keyboard skills to the integration of sophisticated analytical methods in later segments of the program. Units offeredLevel one
Level two
Level three
Sequence requirementsMinor sequence in geography and environmental science (24 points): Major sequence in geography and environmental science (48 points):
Some related sequences are also described in the ‘Atmospheric science’ entry in this section of the handbook. Note that Bachelor of Environmental Science students (only) may substitute ENV1011 (Planet earth and its environment: the cosmic connection) and ENV1022 (Australian physical environments: evolution, status and management) for level one GES units in any sequence in geography and environmental science. RecommendationsLevel oneCoordinator: Dr Elissa Sutherland The primary objective of the syllabus of units at level one 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 study at level one. A first-level sequence in geography consists of two semester units. In first semester, students enrol in GES1070. In second semester, they may choose either GES1020 or GES1050. Students planning a comprehensive introduction to geography may take all three units. In addition, students who have undertaken first-level units BME1111 (Science culture and the concept of race, human origins and development) and BME1122 (Human affairs, health, illness and sexual difference) may be admitted to second-level geography, with the permission of the head of school. Level twoCoordinator: Dr Meredith Orr The syllabus at level two permits students to select from a variety of systematic sub-disciplines. The satisfactory completion of a minor sequence in geography equips students with an appreciation of the nature of the unit as a whole and with knowledge of the fundamental contents and approaches contained within one or both of its human and physical branches. Level threeCoordinator: Dr Xuan Zhu At level three, 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. To obtain a major in geography, students would normally complete 24 points at level three. HonoursCoordinator: Dr Stephen Legg Students proceeding into the fourth year, 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. Mid-year entry is offered by the school, subject to the availability of places. 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 school. Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents |