Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
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Two majors are available in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies; one in Geography and the other in Environmental Studies. For the latter, see the entry in this Handbook under Environmental Studies. In addition, the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers pathways for students who wish to gain privileged entry into either a Master of Urban Planning or Master of Landscape Architecture: see the entry in this Handbook under Planning and Design.
Geography is both an environmental and a social science. Geography can cover a wide range of problems, processes and places. This diversity within the subject reflects real world complexity, but the common task of Geography is to apply general social and environmental laws to particular places to contribute to creating better societies and environments.
Geography is for people who are interested in answers to some of the following questions: Have we mismanaged the Australian landscape? Why is streamflow more variable in Australia than elsewhere? How do plants adapt to flood, drought, fire? How real are the greenhouse effects? Are famines made by drought or people? Are we responsible for the have-nots of the world? Do bayside developers put our foreshores at risk? Who has the power of making Melbourne's urban landscape and why? How are women and migrants exploited in Melbourne's social spaces? Can Aboriginal land rights be resolved?
Geography graduates find employment in many areas, some related to the discipline, others not. Graduates have found employment as officers in many government departments (Conservation and Environment, Planning, Housing, Transport, Melbourne Water, AIDAB). They also work as officers in private environmental and exploration firms. Others are entrepreneurs in their own companies, or consultancies, (ex-staff and students of the Department sell information systems to the US and British censuses). Graduates also work as teachers and lecturers; three Vice-Chancellors of Australian universities are geographers.
Graduates of the BA gain enhanced social awareness and sophisticated interpersonal skills which fit them to join the workforce as potential managers and leaders. Graduates are able to transfer the skills they acquire across many sectors including government, education, and commerce and industry.
Applicants wishing to major in geography as part of a Bachelor of Arts must meet the admissions requirements of the Faculty of Arts.
The normal prerequisite for a second or third year Geography subject is 25 points of Geography at first year level.
In order to satisfy the requirements for a major in Geography, a student must complete a minimum of five 16.7 point 2nd or 3rd year subjects (83.3 points). A major in Geography must include at least four of the following subjects:
The fifth subject in the major can include a subject from the list above or one of the following units:
The major in Geography provides wide scope for students to choose subjects in which they are interested. Here are some suggested combinations of subjects (these are examples; they are not prescriptive):
1 For students wishing to specialise in physical geography, at least four of -
(and possibly, with permission of the head of department, including one of 625-225, 200-201).
2 For students wishing to specialise in human geography, at least four of -
Students may also wish to complete a double major in Geography by completing ten subjects from those listed above. Of these ten subjects, at least eight must come from the first list of subjects above and no more than two may be derived from the supplementary list of subjects above.
Students must have satisfied the requirements of the pass degree and completed a major in Geography including the pre-requisite subject 121-342 Research Methods in Geography, and achieved a minimum threshold average grade of H2B based on the five subjects which comprise the major in Geography.
Pure Honours students are required to complete Geography Honours Thesis 121-400 (50 points), Literature Review 121-408 (16.7 points), Philosophy and Scope of Geography 121-409 (16.7 points), and one of the following:
Part-time Honours students will complete Literature Review 121-408, Philosophy and Scope of Geography 121-409 and one of the Advanced Coursework subjects in the first year; and Geography Honours Thesis 121-400 in the second year of their part-time Honours course.
Combined Honours students are expected to complete Geography Honours Thesis 121-400 and Literature Review 121-408(totalling 66.7); or Philosophy and Scope of Geography 121-409 and one of the Advanced Coursework subjects (totalling 33.3 points) if completing the thesis in the combining department.
Geography graduates are well-placed to upgrade and increase their professional skills by undertaking further professionally-related graduate diplomas, or through further research work leading to a higher degree.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers an M. A. (Research) and an M. A. (Coursework and Minor Thesis) in Geography, to students who have completed a B. A. (Hons) in Geography with an average final grade of H2A or above. The department also offers an M. A. Preliminary program in Geography. From 1996 onwards the department will also offer a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geography) and a Master of Arts (Geography) by coursework only. For graduates of other disciplines, a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Geography) will be offered from 1996 onwards.
The department offers supervision on a wide range of topics within human and physical geography to students undertaking a PhD in geography.
Geography graduates may also proceed on to professional postgraduate qualifications in Urban Planning or Landscape Architecture. The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers pathways for students who wish to gain privileged entry into either a Master of Urban Planning or Master of Landscape Architecture. For further details see the entry in this Handbook under Planning and Design.
Geography graduates may in many cases qualify for admission to one of the department's postgraduate Environmental Studies programs. Geography graduates and current students are encouraged to contact staff of the department for information and advice on the range of postgraduate programs offered by the department, and how these programs can suit their professional and research interests.
For Further Information please contact:
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
The University of Melbourne
Telephone: (03) 9344-6339
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 10 1995 Last modified: Oct 10 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Arts
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.