Faculty of Science

 Geography

Table of Contents

The subjects in Geography introduce students to modern concepts and methods in a major area of environmental science. The subjects emphasise the principles of physical geography, provide examples of their operation in Australia and elsewhere, and give field experience in the use of those principles in practice. They also emphasise human effects on environmental processes.

Geography is for people who are interested in exploring some of the following questions. How do physical and biological processes give form to the recognisable landscapes which we see around us? Have we mismanaged the Australian landscape? Why is stream flow more variable in Australia than elsewhere? Why is biodiversity higher in some places than in others, and why is conservation of biodiversity important to us? Are famines made by drought or by people? Can developmental and environmental concerns co-exist?

 1. Course structure

Bachelor of Science students wishing to concentrate their studies in Geography should take:

• 25 points or more of 100-level Geography (Science) subjects;
• 25 points or more of 200-level Geography (Science) subjects;
• 50 points or more of 300-level Geography (Science) subjects.

There is great scope for flexibility when planning your Geography (Science) course. It is nevertheless essential to ensure that you fulfil the requirements of the Bachelor of Science degree as set out in the Bachelor of Science section of this Handbook.

Under recent changes to the structure of the Bachelor of Science single degree, students commencing in 1998 or subsequent years have to obtain at least 50 points at each of the 100-level, 200-level and 300-level from one or more departments or programs listed in The 50-point rule. Provided that the student's companion subjects satisfy the 50 point rule, Bachelor of Science students can include as many other Geography and Environmental Studies subjects as desired. Several subjects offered by the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies are part of the approved Environmental Science program, and these subjects can be counted towards the 50 point rule (Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)). Non-science Geography subjects can be included within the non-science allowance of 62.5 points.

Within the BSc, students have enough flexibility to include the 50 points of 300-level Geography and Environmental Studies needed to satisfy the departmental entry requirement for BSc (Honours) program in Geography and Environmental Studies.

You should note the prerequisites required for many individual Geography subjects at 200-level and 300-level and take these into consideration when planning your course. Course advice is available from academic staff of the department during the course planning period and throughout the year. You are welcome to make a course advice appointment by contacting the Department Office [PH: (03) 9344 6449]. You are also welcome to contact your subject lecturer for course advice during consultation hours.

Below is a list of recommended subjects for students undertaking a Geography specialisation within the Bachelor of Science.

 1.1. 100-level subjects

Two or more of the following three Geography (Science) subjects offered by Geography and Environmental Studies at the 100-level.

 Geography subjects offered for Science credit at the 100-level

This table lists the 100-level Geography subjects available for Science credit. Careful attention should be paid to the level and amount of Science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.1   Subject Code and Title   Science Credit Points   Level at which science credit will be awarded   121-101 Famine in the Modern World   12.5   100-level   121-171 Environmental Change   12.5   l00-level   121-172 Global Ecology and Biogeography   12.5   100-level

One or more of the following subjects is also recommended:

• 600-111 Biology of Australian Flora and Fauna; 600-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms; 600-142 Genetics and the Evolution of Life; 625-101 Earth Sciences - The Global Environment; 625-102 Geology; 625-113 Meteorology. Students taking 121-172 Global Ecology and Biogeography are strongly recommended to take Biology 600-141 and 600-142.
• Additional 100-level subjects from Mathematics and Statistics. Note that 620-160 Experimental Design and Data Analysis forms part of the BSc (Environmental Science) course.

 1.2. 200-level subjects

Two or more of the following Geography (Science) subjects offered by Geography and Environmental Studies at the 200-level:

 Geography subjects offered for Science credit at the 200-level

This table lists the 200-level Geography subjects available for Science credit. Careful attention should be paid to the level and amount of Science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.2   Subject Code and Title   Science Credit Points   Level at which science credit will be awarded   121-212 Geomorphology   12.5   200-level   121-219 Environmental Politics and Management #   12.5   200-level   121-220 Water Resources   12.5   200-level   121-221 Urban Environments #   12.5   200-level   121-254 GIS and Remote Sensing in Geography   12.5   200-level   121-256 Maritime and Seabed Resources   12.5   200-level   121-270 Biodiversity #   12.5   200-level

One or more of the following subjects is also recommended: 606-202 Plant Biodiversity; 606-204 Plant Ecology; 606-207 Flora of Victoria; 610-280 Environmental Chemistry; 600-201 Physical Environment; 600-203 Environmental Measurement; 654-214 Animal Ecology.

 1.3. 300-level subjects

50 points or more of Geography (Science) subjects offered by Geography and Environmental Studies at the 300-level:

 Geography subjects offered for Science credit at the 300-level

This table lists the 300-level Geography subjects available for Science credit. Careful attention should be paid to the level and amount of Science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.3   Subject Code and Title   Science Credit Points   Level at which science credit will be awarded   121-303 Sustainable Development #   12.5   300-level   121-305 Environmental Hydrology B   12.5   300-level   121-306 Ecological Biogeography A #   25.0   300-level   121-339 Ecological Biogeography B   12.5   300-level   121-342 Research Design in Geography and Environmental Studies   12.5   300-level   121-358 Australian Quaternary Environments   25.0   300-level   121-360 Environmental Hydrology A #   25.0   300-level   121-364 Field Class in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development #   25.0   300-level   121-378 Research Project in Geography and Environmental Studies (Advanced)   12.5   300-level   950-300 Environmental Management Systems #   12.5   300-level

One or more of the following subjects is also recommended: 606-301 Community and Ecosystem Ecology; 600-301 Problem Solving in Environmental Science; 451-312 GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Science; 620-160 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis; 654-308 Conservation Biology.

Students who are considering progressing on to Honours in Geography should note that 121-342 Research Design in Geography and Environmental Studies (or an approved equivalent subject) is a prerequisite for entry into Honours.

 1.4. Non-Science subjects offered by the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

In addition to the subjects listed here, the Department offers the following subjects which may be taken as non-science subjects within the single Bachelor of Science course ('Non-science' subjects allowance):

• 121-103 Australia in Asia
• 121-204 Development and the Third World
• 121-207 Landscapes of Power: New Cultural Geographies
• 121-208 Society and Environments
• 121-214 Urban Geography: The Postmodern City
• 121-217 Australia and the Pacific Rim
• 121-238 China: the Awakening Giant
• 121-277 The Mobile World: Geographies of Migration and Tourism
• 121-235 Emergence of East Asia
• 950-301 Global Environmental Governance

Note: Any subject offered outside the Science Faculty at two different levels (e.g. 121-204/304 Development and the Third World) can only be taken at the lower level for credit towards the Bachelor of Science degree.

Details are provided in the Faculty of Arts section of The University of Melbourne Handbook 1998.

 1.5. Bachelor of Science (Honours)

For information about the Faculty and departmental entry requirements for Honours, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours). These requirements should be considered when planning your course.

 1.6. Further Information

For further information please contact:

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

The University of Melbourne

ph. (03) 9344-6339 Fax: (03) 9344-4972

http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/Dept/Geography/GeogHome.html

Status:                   Official 1998
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 21 17:12
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au