cornwall he advisers’ day progressing into geography james ryan university of exeter, cornwall...
TRANSCRIPT
Cornwall HE Advisers’ DayProgressing into
Geography
James RyanUniversity of Exeter, Cornwall
Campus, Tremough
Presentation Outline
Why study geography at university?
What will I learn?
How will I learn?
What a typical course looks like
What careers can it lead to?
How do I choose the right course?
Making a successful application
Questions?
Why study geography? You enjoy learning about people and their societies,
economies, cultures and the environment
You enjoy working at the interface between social
sciences, humanities and environmental sciences
You are keen to learn and develop a wide range of skills
You are seeking a broad based academic degree,
offering above average graduate employability
You want to make new friends and visit new places
You want to make a difference to your world!
“Many employers prize the knowledge and skills that studying geography can provide ...
...Geography students are among those gaining greatest satisfaction from their studies”
“So many of the world's current issues – at a global scale and locally - boil down to geography, and need the geographers of the future to help
us understand them.”
Michael Palin, President of the Royal Geographical Society,
guardian.co.uk 18 Aug 2011
Programme pathways and choicesBA (Bachelor of Arts) GeographyInvestigates the social and cultural processes underpinning human understandings of environment and landscape.
BSc (Bachelor of Science) GeographyExplores the natural and physical processes shaping the Earth’s surface over different temporal and spatial scales.
Many other options eg: BSc Environmental ScienceBA/BSc Geography with European StudyBSc Conservation Biology and GeographyBA Geography and English BA History and GeographyBA Politics and Geography
Why our human and physical environments and
landscapes appear as they are, and the causes, rates
and patterns of change in different contexts.
The dynamic interaction between human society and
the environment, including the integrated study of
contemporary issues such as climate change, land use,
energy policy and sustainability.
The importance of different spatial scales–global
to local–and time scales for physical and human
processes, and the significance of
interdependence.
What will I learn about?
What other skills will I gain?• Intellectual skills, such as critically evaluating
theories and judging evidence in order to make informed decisions and to develop reasoned arguments.
• Research skills, including how to use a range of technical methods for the collection and analysis of spatial and environmental data.
• Transferable skills, such as teamwork, problem solving, IT skills, communication skills (presentation, writing, debating).
• Personal skills, such as time-management, development of responsibility, coping with uncertainty, self-reflection, motivation, flexibility, and creativity.
How will I learn?
Lectures
Labs and Practicals
Seminars
Tutorials
Field Study
Independent Study (Dissertation)
Average 10-15 contact hours a week
Transition to UniversityHE Geography is:
Broad in scope and diverse in topic
Reflects interests and expertise of staff –
look at websites and attend open days
Assessed using range of outputs
Transition to University is a big step…In general it requires:
motivation (from inside and outside)
maturity
mentoring and support (from friends,
family and university staff)
embracing as a holistic experience
University in UK today is akin to
specialist gym membership,
not a package holiday…
Geography involves a variety of lecture, field and
laboratory environments, including the study of techniques
such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
In the first year of a geography degree you will usually
begin with more general courses, advancing to more
specialised research-focused courses in years 2 and 3.
Your skills will grow in parallel, so that by the end of
your degree, you can shape your course to
reflect your strengths and interests.
Learning approaches
Level One – foundational modules
Tutorials
Analysis of environmental data
Investigating social and spatial environments
Approaches to geographical knowledge
Earth system science
Global issues in environmental science
Environment and society
Fieldclass (eg. West Penwith)
Level Two – modules increase focus and depth
• Environment, place and the past• Society, nature and space
• Applied environmental management• Atmosphere and ocean systems
• Environmental policy and politics• Fieldclass and lecture course
eg. California
Level Three – specialist and research-informed modules
• Sustainable Rural Futures• Wastelands
• Issues in Climate Change• The Carbon Cycle
• Energy for a Low Carbon Economy• China
• Environmental Geomorphology• Landscape and Environmental Modelling
• Environment and Empire• Histories of Science
• DISSERTATION
Geography dissertations allow variation and specialisation. Eg Recent dissertation topics:
• Historical geography of Francophone Methodism in Jersey, 1900-1950
• Policy responses to climate change in the domestic arena • Influence of rural politics on wind farm development in
rural South Devon• Biogeomorphology of a saltmarsh: Saltash, Cornwall• Conflict in leisure spaces: surfing and the dynamics of
localism • Renegotiating Cornish identity on the border • Late Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes in Northern Patagonia• Historical geography of the submerged
forest in Mount’s Bay, Cornwall
‘The California fieldtrip was incredible! The places we visited were amazing and the coursework that we did there was challenging but really interesting, and provided training in a lot of techniques that could be used for dissertation research’.
Regional and overseas field study
Multiple geographical career paths
Development and Global Issues
Environment and Sustainability
Business
Teaching
Travel, Tourism, Leisure and Culture
Physical Systems
Geographical Techniques
Research
Media and broadcasting
Sam Stibbs Programme: BSc Geography &
Environmental Management, 2010Now: Remote Sensing Technician
Company: Network Mapping
Where could a geography degree take you?
Sam GillchrestProgramme: BSc Geography,
2010Now: Cartographic assistantCompany: UK Hydrographic
Office
Where could a geography degree take you?
Where could a geography degree take you?
Abi BradyProgramme: BSc Geography
Year of graduation: 2010
2011 Sustainability Assistant Internship;part-time Ambassador Project Assistant
Now: Sustainablilty Advisor,
Investec Bank plc;
James LythgoeProgrammes: BA Geography, 2010;
MSc Energy Policy, 2011Now: Internship
Company: Good Energy
Where could a geography degree take you?
Recent graduate destinationsRemote Sensing Technician, Network MappingEuropean Mobility Administrator, UnileverAssistant Town Planner, David Lock AssociatesRecruitment Consultant, Allen And York Quantity Surveyor, Chartered SurveyorsEnvironmental Consultant, RPS GroupProject Manager, CoastlineSection Coordinator, Marks & Spencer PhD Studentship, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum Cartographic Assistant, UK Hydrographic OfficeTransport Planner, Scott Wilson Ltd Relay Worker, UCCF
There are approximately 80 Universities with
1600 geography-related degrees in the UK!
BA or BSc? (how much flexibility?)
Joint honours (Geography and….?)
Do the modules offered reflect your interests?
How is the course taught and assessed?
How many taught classes per week
compared with independent learning?
Are staff experts in their field?
What are fieldwork opportunities?
Study abroad schemes?
Choosing a course
What are the facilities like?
How big is the department?
How many students per staff member?
Will you get plenty of face-to-face contact?
What are the entrance requirements?
What is the reputation of the course/university?
What opportunities are they for extra-
curricula activities?
How expensive will it be? What are
the opportunities for part-time
work? Is living at home an option?
Know what you want from a course
Know what the course requires from you
Work hard to get your grades!
UCAS personal statements are important to show
your passion for the subject, but your 3 best A-
levels are everything!
Examine prospectuses and online info – eg for
preferred subjects (generally open for Geog)
Open days – attend as many as you can
Speak to admissions officers
Speak to students
Talk to your teachers
Making a successful application
AAB
Sources of information• UCAS – see course search and entry profiles
www.ucas.ac.uk• Royal Geographical Society
www.rgs.org• Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subject Centre,
http://www.gees.ac.uk/home/students.htm• National Student Survey• Times and Guardian University Guide• Other online info:
www.ukstudentlife.com
www.thestudentroom.co.uk
www.opendays.com
