“I chose to study Geography because of its wide ranging nature and the opportunity to study global issues and problems affecting the world in which we live. It is one of the friendliest departments with approachable tutors and staff ready to offer advice and support. The breadth of the course in sub- honours allows a wide range of both human and physical geography to be studied before you choose to specialise within certain areas in Honours where the work is intense but highly rewarding. Practical work and field trips offer a great break from lectures and build strong, long-lasting friendships.”
Liz (Stamford, Lincolnshire) Summary of Course Content
First Level (1st year) MA and BSc Two core modules cover fundamental aspects of geography. These are themed with one providing an introduction to university-level human and physical geography while the other uses specific case studies to illustrate the close interrelationship between human and physical geography and the value of both to understand the global environmental problems that currently confront society. Fundamental concepts of human geography – space and place, location and scale, distance and difference – are introduced, while the physical geography components include the characteristics of global environmental systems: the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.
Second Level (usually 2nd year) MA and BSc Building on material introduced in first year, physical geography topics include processes shaping the Earth’s surface within the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, while human geography topics include historical, political and social geography. The contemporary relevance of geography is explored through case studies of environmental problems and social inequalities in the developed world.
Honours (3rd and 4th years) At Honours the programme is divided into core (about 50 per cent) and optional modules. Students can tailor their programme to their own specific interests. The topics reflect the exciting research specialties of the academic staff. Within physical geography these include glacial environments, ecosystem ecology, climate & weather systems, ocean systems, climate change science, river systems, environmental reconstruction and periglacial environments. Human geography options include population studies, migration, health geography, urban geography, historical geography, environmental management and economic geography.
Alongside the optional modules, the first Honours year provides in-depth training in essential field, laboratory and IT skills required of professional geographers. The core material is presented as ‘hands-on’ modules giving students direct experience of state-of-the-art equipment and methods (e.g. how data are statistically assessed, stored, transformed and visualised; the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS); remote sensing; field-based skills). Fieldwork is conducted both locally and via residential courses. Recent locations have included Norway, Spain, Galway and the Scottish Highlands.
“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future.”
Michael Palin
– comedian, actor, writer, presenter and President of the Royal Geographical Society
A research camp above Kronebreen, a fast-flowing calving glacier in Svalbard.
The second Honours year encourages students to develop their intellectual and practical skills and apply them to particular problems, including an independent research dissertation and an extended review essay. Students also pursue their interests through further optional modules.
Teaching Teaching is based on semester-length modules. At Honours level these blend skills training with subject-based themes across the broad area of geography. A mixture of continuous assessment and examinations measures performance. Rigorous training is given in a variety of field techniques and laboratory skills. Field courses for Geography students are fully integrated with the degree programme. Throughout, students are equipped with literacy, numeracy, and IT skills, and taught to hone their critical thought and judgement.
Scholarships The MacIver Award is offered each year to support students carrying out Geography fieldwork (other than for their dissertation) during the summer vacation. Normally there are two awards of £500 each.
Careers Because of the broad nature of Geography, covering both physical science and social science topics, graduates leave St Andrews with a unique combination of skills, putting our graduates in a strong position for employment opportunities as diverse as teaching in China, charity work in Africa and becoming a commercial airline pilot. Some apply their degrees specifically (e.g. as an agricultural officer for the Scottish Government) while others use their geographical training as a springboard into a wide diversity of careers. Many students have also been successful in competing for postgraduate opportunities, both at Masters and PhD level.
Please see page 42 for details of the University’s Careers Centre. More information:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/wiki/Geography
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Doug Benn Geography
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