Faculty of Science
Geography and environmental studies

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Faculty of Science

The subjects offered by the School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies (SAGES) introduce students to modern concepts and methods in this major area of environmental studies. The subjects emphasise the principles of physical geography, provide examples of their operation in Australia and elsewhere, and give field experience putting those principles into practice. They also emphasise the interactions between the human population and the natural and built environments and the impacts of human activities on processes operating in the natural environment.

Geography is for those who are interested in exploring the following kinds of issues. 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 coexist?

1. Suggested subjects

The School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies offers a major in geography, and many subjects offered by the school are available to students wishing to complete a co-major/major in environmental science. In order to be able to successfully complete a major it is essential to plan so as to have the appropriate prerequisite subjects at each year level.

Bachelor of Science students wishing to obtain a major in geography should take 25 points or more of first year geography (science) subjects; and second and third year geography subjects totalling 87.5 points, of which at least 50 points must be at the third year level.

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 Faculty of Science section of this Handbook.

Students majoring in geography are encouraged to consider applying for entry into the BSc (Hons) program.

Course advice is available from academic staff of the school during the course planning period and throughout the year. You are welcome to make an appointment for course advice by contacting SAGES office, Tel. +61 3 8344 6339. You are also welcome to contact individual subject lecturers for course advice during consultation hours.

1.1. First year subjects

Two or three of the geography (science) subjects offered at 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. Students taking 121-013 Global Ecology and Biogeography are strongly recommended to take biology 600-141 and 600-142.
620-160 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis; and additional 100-level subjects from mathematics and statistics.

1.2. Second year subjects

Two or more of the geography (science) subjects offered at 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. Third year subjects

50 points of geography (science) subjects offered at 300-level.

One or more of the following subjects are also recommended: 606-301 Community and Ecosystem Ecology; 600-301 Problem-Solving in Environmental Science; 451-312 GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Science; 654-308 Conservation Biology; 421-373* Physical Hydrology; 421-321* Engineering Hydrology and 421-374* Techniques in Field Investigation (subjects marked with * are non-science subjects).

2. 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.

3. Further Information

The School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 6339
Fax: +61 3 8344 4972
Email: geog-head@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.geography.unimelb.edu.au/

Geography and environmental studies subjects available for science credit

Careful attention should be paid to the level and number of science credit points that will be awarded for the completion of these subjects.

Note: Geography subjects count toward the arts component of both the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science combined course and Bachelor of Arts and Sciences course. Refer to the arts section of this Handbook for points details.

In addition to the subjects listed below, the School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies offer a number of subjects that are available as non-science credit. Refer to the geography section on Geography and the enviromental studies section on Environmental studies.

Fieldwork research project - science credit

Students wishing to obtain 300-level science credit points for the following subject should negotiate an individual program of supervised research and study with their supervisor, and seek written approval from the Faculty of Science Associate Dean (Academic Programs) prior to commencing the subject.

300-level subject

121-434 Fieldwork Research Project