geographical-science/index

aos

18 September 2017 22 December 2024

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Students who commenced study in 2016 should refer to this area of study entry for direction on the requirments; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your area of study.

Monash University

Undergraduate
Minor/Major/Extended major

Commencement year

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2016 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook.

Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Science component of any bachelors double degrees.

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Managing faculty

Faculty of Science

Offered by

School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment

Coordinator

Dr Vanessa Wong (Levels one to three); Associate Professor David Dunkerley (Honours)

Websites

Faculty of Science

School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment

Location

Clayton

Geographical science investigates the evolving character of the Earth's biophysical and constructed environment in the past, present and future. It is concerned with spatial processes operating in the landscape such as atmospheric circulation, landform change, vegetation dynamics, human land uses, urbanisation, and economic activity. Geographical science includes interdisciplinary analysis that uses methods and techniques from social and physical sciences to find innovative solutions to environmental problems at different spatial scales.

Geographical science at Monash covers a broad range of topics in both physical and human geography. Our graduates are well prepared for a variety of careers in, for example, environmental consultancies, policy development, local, state, and federal govenment, and research organisations. Additionally, transferable skills are developed which are in wide demand within the science and non-science sectors of the economy. Our teaching labs are state of the art and our units combine theory, practical work, and field experiences. The lecturers are noted experts in their fields and make the link between research and teaching.

Availability

Geographical science is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a major, extended major or minor.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major and extended major will be able to:

  • comprehend the major areas of geographical knowledge, including climatology, hydrology, geomorphology, soil science, sustainability theory, urban geography, and principles of sustainability
  • discuss means by which geographical knowledge informs approaches to managing the sustainable use of Australian environments
  • exemplify how geographical knowledge relates to work in other fields of scientific research
  • demonstrate knowledge of how to work with both numerical and spatial or map data, including the use of geographical information systems
  • comprehend the significance of geographical variation among locations and environments to the management of human occupation and use of ecosystems and landscapes.

Units

Minor requirements (24 points)

12 points at level 1 and 12 points at level 2.

Students complete:

(a.) The following unit (6 points):

  • ATS1310 Extreme earth! Natural hazards and human vulnerability

(b.) One unit (6 points) from the following:

  • ATS1309 The global challenge
  • EAE1022 Earth, atmosphere and environment 2

(c.) The following unit (6 points):

(d.) One level two unit (6 points) from the elective list below.

Major requirements (48 points)

12 points at level 1 and at least 18 points at level 3.

Students complete:

(a.) The requirements for the minor in Geographical science (24 points)

(b.) Four additional level 2 or level 3 units (24 points) from the Elective list, with at least three units at level 3.

Extended major requirements (72 points)

12 points at level 1, at least 6 points at level 2, and at least 36 points at level 3.

Students complete:

(a.) The requirements for the major in Geographical science (48 points)

(b.) Four additional units (24 points) selected from the Elective list, with at least six units at level 3 overall.

Elective list

  • ATS2545/ATS3545 Environmental hydrology
  • ATS2547 Cities and sustainability
  • ATS2548 Environmental policy and management
  • ATS2628 Power and poverty: International development in a globalised world
  • ATS2774 Australian soil and vegetation dynamics
  • ATS2776 Climate, weather and the land surface
  • ATS2778 Public spaces and city life
  • ATS2779 Climate change and variability
  • ATS3259 Geographical information systems (GIS) for environmental management
  • ATS3281 Cultural landscape, environment and sustainability in Italy
  • ATS3546 Environmental assessment and decision making
  • ATS3552 Remote sensing of the environment
  • ATS3553 Field studies in regional sustainability*
  • ATS3554 Resource evaluation and management
  • ATS3558 Climate change and impacts on the earth system
  • ATS3788 Soils, landscape and their management
  • ATS3790 Landscape processes
  • ATS3791 Environmental change: Past to future
  • ATS3887 Designing urban futures: Urban climate, water and adaptation

*There is a limited quota on the number of students permitted to enrol in this unit.

Requirements for progressing to honours

The School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment offers honours projects in a range of sub disciplines, including Geographical Science. 24 points of level 3 units within the major are required to progress to honours studies.

Refer to S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours) for full details.

Relevant courses

Bachelors

Single degrees

Successful completion of this area of study can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degrees:*

  • S2000 Bachelor of Science
  • S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours)
  • S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)

Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.

Double degrees

Successful completion of this area of study can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Science component in the following double degrees:*

  • B2023 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
  • B2016 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Science
  • D3005 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • C2003 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Science
  • L3007 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
  • S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science
  • S2004 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science
  • S2003 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies
  • S2005 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Music

* Students cannot complete a minor, major or extended major in the same area of study.