geography - university of hull undergraduate subject brochure 2009

The University of HullHull, HU6 7RX, UK0870 126 [email protected]

www.hull.ac.uk

H72

HIGHESTTEACHINGQUALITY OUTSTANDINGSTUDENT EXPERIENCE

SUPERB GRADUATEEMPLOYABILITY INNOVATION

BUILT ON 80YEARS OFEXPERIENCE

The University of Hull

Geography

Key factsDegree course UCAS code Standard offerBA Geography L700 BA/Ge 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBSc Geography F800 BSc/Ge 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBA Human Geography L720 BA/HG 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBSc Physical Geography F840 BSc/PhyGe 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBA Environmental Management F755 BA/EM 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBSc Environmental Management F756 BSc/EM 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsMaster of Physical Geography F841 MPhysG/G 320 UCAS tariff points

BSc Geography and Archaeology FF84 BSc/GeA 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBA Geography and History LV71 BA/GeH 300–240 UCAS tariff points

BA Geography with Business F8N1 BA/GBus 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBA Geography with Marketing F8N5 BA/GMkg 300–240 UCAS tariff pointsBSc Geography with Sport Science F8C6 BA/GSpS 300–240 UCAS tariff points

Applications from mature and international candidates and from those offeringqualifications other than A or AS levels are always welcome.

Applying for geography at Hull– your questions answered 2

Introduction to our degreecourses 4

BSc Geography 6

BA Geography 7

BA Human Geography 8

BSc Physical Geography 9

BA/BSc EnvironmentalManagement 10

Master of Physical Geography 11

BA Geography and History 12

BSc Geography andArchaeology 13

Major/minor degrees 14

First-year modules 15

Learning and teaching 16

Contents

Careers for geography graduatesTo help students plan their future aftergraduation, the University of Hull offers afirst-class Careers Service, whose success isdemonstrated in the employment successrate of our graduates.The University isconsistently near the top of league tables inthis important area.

Our geography graduates in particular havean excellent employment record, not leastbecause of the breadth of skills that theyacquire during both our subject-specific andour transferable skills modules.

The choice of careers is wide-ranging,including some where the ‘geography’ is putto direct use, such as environmentalagencies and consultancy, GIS applications,planning, conservation and teaching, butmany more where their flexible skills reapdividends in the wider job market –management, financial services, computing,marketing, public administration, transport,the media …

For some careers, further qualifications areimportant, and an increasing proportion ofour graduates go on to postgraduate study– for example, MA, MSc and PhD degrees,the PGCE teaching certificate, and variousprofessional qualifications, especially in thefinancial services sector, businessmanagement, and town and countryplanning.

The variety of possibilities is illustrated bythe range of careers taken up by some ofour recent graduates:

• biodiversity officer for a city council• scientist with the Environment Agency• town planner• secondary school teacher• environmental consultant• air traffic controller• BBC news reporter• landscape architect• exploration geologist• local government administrator• primary school teacher• BBC weather presenter• management trainee with a water

company• journalist on a local newspaper• countryside ranger• commercial property salesperson• GIS specialist

The views and experiences of some of ourgraduates are represented in panels withinthis brochure.

Geography at Hull

The Department of Geography is based in the attractiveCohen Building.We have a wide range of well-equippedteaching facilities, including lecture theatres and seminarrooms, with new laboratories and networked computerareas.

The University Map Room, housed within the same building,provides excellent facilities for private study and a resourcesservice for geography students, while the University’s mainlibrary, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the department,houses an extensive collection of geography books andperiodicals along with those of allied subjects.

Geography has been taught at Hull since the University’sfoundation in 1928. Our 27 academic staff have a wide rangeof specialist interests and expertise, which enables us toprovide a variety of courses and more than 40 differentmodules across the breadth of human and physicalgeography.

Our annual intake is around 100 students.This means thatour staff–student ratio is 1:12, which is very favourable bynational standards and of obvious benefit to our small-groupteaching. Although the department has all the advantages ofbeing large, it is also very friendly and supportive towards itsstudents.

We are a top-20 geography department for our teachingand learning (Guardian, 2005) and in the top 15 for ourresearch. We have extensive teaching, library and supportfacilities and offer a friendly and supportive environment, asdemonstrated by our excellent rating in the official NationalStudent Survey.

The modularised degree structure provides training in coreareas of the subject while offering you a wide range ofchoice across physical and human geography; but whateveryou decide to choose, our aim is the same – to provide astimulating and supportive environment in which you canenhance your understanding of this fascinating subject, and toprovide you with both academic and practical skills that willbe valued by potential employers.

Hull’s Department of Geography is recognised for theinternational standard of its research.This expertise iscaptured to great effect in our teaching programmes, wherestaff are always ready to share their enthusiastic interest intheir own specialist areas.

The Geography SocietyThe Geog Soc is the department’s student society, organisedentirely by students. It is one of the largest student societiesat Hull, bringing students and staff together and giving thedepartment its renowned friendly atmosphere.The societyalso allows students to make a valuable contribution todecision making within Geography, with representativesserving on the department’s Student–Staff Committee.

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What geography degrees are offered atHull?The Department of Geography offers sevensingle-subject degree courses:

• BA Geography• BSc Geography• BA Human Geography• BSc Physical Geography• BA Environmental Management• BSc Environmental Management• Master of Physical Geography

We also offer two joint degree courses:

• BSc Geography and Archaeology• BA Geography and History

And there are three major/minor combinations tochoose from:

• BA Geography with Business• BA Geography with Marketing• BSc Geography with Sport Science

All the BA and BSc degree courses are three yearsfull-time but can also be studied part-time over alonger period.The Master of Physical Geography isa four-year undergraduate course.

What qualifications will I need?Single Honours degree coursesFor entry to the BA and BSc Single Honourscourses, our offers usually range between 300 and240 UCAS points either from three A levelsubjects or from two A levels plus one or two ASsubjects. We are also happy to consider other Aand AS combinations and other types ofqualification, and we welcome enquiries frommature and overseas students.

Geography at A level is not a prerequisite for anyof our courses, though we do prefer geography toat least AS level, and for the BSc PhysicalGeography course a science/technology subject toAS level is also preferred.

For entry to the four-year Master of PhysicalGeography course we usually require 320 points,and applicants will normally be expected to have astronger science background than for BSc entry.

Joint and major/minor degree coursesOur admissions policy for joint and major/minordegree courses is broadly similar to that for theSingle Honours degrees.

Applying for geography at Hull –your questions answered

Geography

Open day programme

11.00–11.30Registration

11.30–12.30Campus tour withundergraduate Geographystudents

12.30–13.00Lunch with Geography staffand students

13.00–13.15Degree course meetings

13.15–13.55‘Welcome to the Department’presentation

14.00–15.45Applicants meet individuallywith a member of Geographystaff and are taken on tours ofthe department

16.00Close

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Do you encourage applications frommature or overseas candidates and fromthose with qualifications other than A andAS levels?Yes, we are always pleased to receive applicationsfrom both mature and overseas candidates.Qualifications other than A and AS levels will alsobe considered. (Follow the link atwww.hull.ac.uk/undergraduate for alternative entryrequirements.) If you lack the usual entryqualifications, you are encouraged to contact thedepartment for informal discussion beforesubmitting an application.

Will I be interviewed and may I visit thedepartment?Decisions on most applicants are made withoutinterview, on the basis of information shown onthe UCAS form. Applicants are then invited toattend one of our regular open days, which areheld on Wednesdays or Saturdays during theperiod from December to April.

The open day allows applicants and their parentsto meet and talk with staff and students informallyand to tour the department and the Universitycampus, and you will be able to talk individuallywith a member of staff whose interests arerelevant to the course for which you have applied.Parents can also take part in a question-and-answer session with a senior member ofGeography staff.

If you are unable to attend an open day we will behappy to make alternative arrangements so that

you can visit the department and speak to amember of staff.

How many places are available on thedegree courses?We aim to admit a combined total ofapproximately 65 students to the BA and BScSingle Honours Geography courses.The BAHuman Geography, BSc Physical Geography andMaster of Physical Geography courses admitaround 25 students.The joint and major/minorcourses aim to admit collectively around 10students.There are therefore expected to beabout 100 new students next year in total,although the targets for individual courses can bevaried.

What if I apply for a particular geographydegree course but then wish to change toa different course?BA and BSc Geography have a common first year,so there are no problems in switching betweenthe two courses at the end of the first year.

Where can I get further information aboutadmissions?Admissions SecretaryDepartment of GeographyThe University of HullHull, HU6 7RXT 01482 465575E [email protected]

If you have a UCAS number, please quote it in allcorrespondence.

www.hull.ac.uk

I chose Hull because ofthe reputation of thedepartment, themodules on offer, andthe attractiveness andgood location of thecampus.

The course allowed meto choose a broad rangeof modules and developmy interest in specificareas of environmentalresearch while stillkeeping a generaloverview of the widersubject.

Through the Hull courseI was able to gain abalanced appreciation ofhow the different fieldsof environmentalresearch dovetail witheach other.This wasgreatly aided by themany field trips, localand overseas, theapproachability of staffand the good relationsthat they fostered.

The broad nature of thedegree course made itthe perfect springboardfor a variety of MSccourses to develop myspecialisation further.Due to the options thatI had been able tochoose and the supportthat I had received fromstaff, I was able topursue this by gainingentry to a GIS course atEdinburgh.

Following the MSc Imoved toCambridgeshire to workas a GIS specialist at theCentre for Ecology andHydrology at MonksWood, where myprojects includemodelling aciditydeposition, spatialanalysis of pollutionclusters, wetlandmanagement andspecies conservation.

Richard BroughtonBSc Physical Geography –GIS specialist

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Further details about each of the degree coursesare given on pages 6–14.

BA and BSc GeographyThese courses begin with a common year ofmostly compulsory modules, which include bothhuman and physical geography. In the second andthird years the BA focuses on human geographyand the BSc on physical geography, but there isalso the opportunity to maintain a broader mix ifyou wish, by taking some modules in the other‘half ’ of the subject.You can also choose a moduleoffered by other departments.These coursestherefore allow flexibility and are particularly suitedto students who wish to keep their options asopen as possible.

In the second and third years most of the modulesare options and are grouped into pathways – inhuman geography these include historical andcultural geography, urban and rural regeneration,and globalisation and development, while inphysical geography they include landforms andprocesses, ecological systems, and environmentalchange.There are also two broader pathways, onefocusing on environmental issues and the other onGIS (geographical information systems), remotesensing and geographical modelling. In the thirdyear there is also an optional work placementmodule, as well as the opportunity for you tostudy for part of your course at a university in theUSA or in Europe.

First yearThe first-year programme has a strong coreelement, which gives a basic grounding in thesubject. All students take modules in geographicalmethods, which include a range of transferableskills such as written, oral and graphicalpresentation, computing, data handling andmethods of geographical enquiry. First-yearmodules in human geography focus on thedeveloped and developing world and issues ofglobalisation. Modules in physical geography focuson geomorphology, earth climate, biogeographyand natural hazards.You have the option to take amodule from outside the department in anysubject, including modern languages.

Second yearIn the second year the core skills include fieldmethods, project design, data collection, analysisand presentation. Second-year option modules inhuman geography concentrate on economic, social,historical, political and cultural geography. Physicalgeography modules examine earth surfaceprocesses and landforms, ecosystems, and appliedphysical geography.There are also moreenvironmental-based modules relating to urbanand rural regeneration, landscape history andgeographies of consumption. A number of optionaloverseas field-study modules are available in thesecond year. Current locations for BSc student fieldtrips are France and Tenerife, while destinations forBA students include Spain, Italy and New York.

Third yearIn the third year you choose modules which leadon from your second-year programme, anarrangement which maintains progression byallowing subjects to be studied in greater depth.Human geography topics include geographies ofpolitical and economic change and of societies,cultures and landscape.Topics in physical geographyinclude rivers, biogeography, environmental change,and GIS and remote sensing. Environmental-basedoptions include climate change, environment anddevelopment in Africa, applied environmentalmanagement, renewable energy and waterresources. A field-study module based in Malawi isan option open to all BSc and BA students. Animportant and core part of the third year is thedissertation, a piece of individual research work ona topic devised by yourself and carried out underthe guidance of a supervisor.

Introduction to our degree courses

Geography

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BA Human GeographyThis course is similar to BA Geography but allowsyou to specialise in human geography from theoutset and to combine economic, social, cultural,political, historical and environmental geographywith the study of particular world areas and/or aEuropean language.The third year allows choicefrom a number of specialised options leading onfrom the topics studied in the first two years, andalso includes the dissertation.

BSc Physical GeographyThis course is similar to BSc Geography but allowsyou to specialise in physical geography from theoutset, along with related aspects of the earth andenvironmental sciences.The first two years providetraining in many areas of physical geography,including geomorphology, biogeography, soils,hydrology, sedimentology, oceanography andenvironmental change, and in the third year thereis a choice of specialised options building on thesetopics.Throughout the course there is an emphasison project, field and laboratory work, and thedissertation is also a core part of the course.

Master of Physical GeographyThis four-year undergraduate course cultivatesawareness of recent developments in physicalgeography and of the research skills relevant inproblem solving. In the first two years it is similarto the BSc Geography and Physical Geographycourses, but Years 3 and 4 involve a higher level ofstudy, heavily weighted towards field andlaboratory work. A major part of the fourth yearalso involves designing and executing a piece oforiginal research to be presented as a dissertation.You may apply through UCAS for direct entry tothis course or transfer to it during the first twoyears of the BSc Geography or Physical Geographycourse, subject to satisfactory progress.

Joint Honours DegreesThese courses are designed for students who havea strong interest in a discipline related togeography and wish to continue studying bothsubjects equally. In the degree that combinesgeography with history, half your time is spent oneach discipline, with the geography half focusing onhuman geography. Students on the BSc Geographyand Archaeology course combine archaeology withphysical geography. All students can opt tocomplete a dissertation on a geographical topic oftheir own choice.

Major/minor combinationsIn these degrees about 75% of your time isdevoted to geography – the major subject – andthe other 25% to the second subject. We offer BAdegree combinations with business and marketing,in both of which the geography element focuseson human geography.The business and marketingcomponents of the degree are taught in theUniversity’s Business School, and cater forgeography students who may be interested incareers involving these skills. We also offer a BScdegree course with sport science.The sportscience component is taught by the Departmentof Sport, Health and Exercise Science.

www.hull.ac.uk

The main things thatattracted me to dogeography at Hull werethe wide range ofexpertise of thelecturers in thedepartment and theinteresting courses theytaught.

The University alsoclaimed to offer goodfacilities and friendly,approachable staff,which was proved rightfrom day one.

Focusing on humangeography, I enjoyeddiverse and topicalsubjects such aseconomics, politics, andhistorical and culturalgeography. Many of thecourses are also relevantto business, such as thethird-year AppliedProject module, whichinvolves a part-timework placement.

The field-study trip inYear 2 to Barcelonaintroduced me to mychosen profession, urbansurveying.Throughoutthe week-long study, wecame to understand howthe built environmentand society interact andhow regeneration anddevelopment canpositively benefit bothcommunities andbusiness.

The social side of thedepartment and theUniversity is very goodtoo.You can always finda fellow geographer inthe union bar or in oneof the city’s many clubs,and formal events suchas the Christmas Ballare highlights of theyear.

Matthew BirdBA Geography –commercial property sales

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BSc GeographyUCAS code: F800

Geography

The BSc Geography degree course lets you explore the full rangeof human, environmental and physical geography through our widerange of modules.

The key strength of the BSc degree is its flexibility.You can studycomplex dynamic processes such as rivers, glaciers, volcanoes,earthquakes, ecology, soils, climate and climate change, landscapehistory, and environmental monitoring and modelling as well as theinterrelationships, across space and time, between people andbetween humans and the environment.

Students on the BSc degree mainly take physical geography modules,but they must take two human modules in the first year and maytake human or environmental modules as options in the second andthird years.The number of optional modules increases significantly inYear 3, allowing you to specialise along one of three pathways:geomorphology; ecology and environmental change; andenvironmental monitoring and modelling.

All BSc Geography students acquire key skills, including GIS, dataanalysis, group work and report writing.They participate in fieldstudies in the North York Moors National Park in the first year. Anumber of optional overseas modules are available in the secondyear. Current locations for BSc student field trips are MediterraneanFrance and Tenerife. Additional field studies may be associated withparticular optional modules.There is also an optional third-year fieldcourse based in Malawi.

Degree structure

Year 1Core modules• Introduction to Geographical

Methods• Global Environments• Introducing Human

Geography• Landforms and Ecosystems• Geographies of Development

Optional modules• Dangerous Planet• World Cities• A module outside the

department

Year 2Core modules• Core Skills in Physical

Geography

Optional modules• Field study (France or

Tenerife)• Processes and Landforms• Economies, Politics and Space• Ecosystems• Cultural and Historical

Geography• Applied Physical Geography• Urban and Rural

Management• People, Land and Time• Shopping and Space• A module outside the

department

Year 3Core modules• Dissertation

Optional modules• Applied Project (placement)• Water Resources• Fluvial Processes and

Management• Renewable Energy• Geographical Ecology• Quaternary Environments• Geoprocess Modelling• Hunter-Gatherers to

Farmers• Food, Space and Society• Geography and Empire• Spatial Analysis (GIS)• Geography of Travel• Children’s Geographies• Space and Power in the

North American City• Wetland Archaeology• Environment and

Development in Africa• Sustainable Cities• Field study (Malawi)• A module outside the

department

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www.hull.ac.uk

BA GeographyUCAS code: L700

The BA Geography degree lets you explore in depth the human,environmental and physical aspects of geography.

Students on this degree mainly take human geography modules, butthey must take two physical modules in the first year and may takephysical or environmental modules as options in the second and thirdyears.The number of optional modules increases significantly in Year3, allowing you to specialise along one of three pathways: urban andregional sustainability; geographies of political and economic change;and societies, cultures and landscape.

Field trips are an important aspect of this course, giving you hands-onexperience of using human geography field techniques. Studentsparticipate in a weekend field course in Whitby in the first year. Anumber of overseas field-study modules are available in the secondyear. Recent locations for BA student field trips have included Spain,Italy and New York.There is also an optional third-year field coursebased in Malawi.

All BA Geography students acquire key skills, including appreciationof places and their differences, awareness of spatial connections, anunderstanding of landscape change, and expertise in geographicalinformation systems, data analysis, qualitative methods, group workand report writing.

The BA course will encourage you to develop the ability to thinkgeographically from different perspectives, which will help you bothas a student and in your future career.

Degree structure


Methods• Global Environments• Introducing Human

Geography• Landforms and Ecosystems• Geographies of Development


department

Year 2Core modules• Geographical Thought and

Practice

Optional modules• Field study (Italy or Spain)• Processes and Landforms• Economies, Politics and Space• Ecosystems• Cultural and Historical

Geography• Applied Physical Geography• Urban and Rural

Management• People, Land and Time• Shopping and Space• A module outside the

department


Optional modules• Quaternary Environments• Applied Project (placement)• Water Resources• Fluvial Processes and

Management• Renewable Energy• Geographical Ecology• Quaternary Environments• Hunter-Gatherers to

Farmers• Food, Space and Society• Geography and Empire• Spatial Analysis (GIS)• Geography of Travel• Children’s Geographies• Space and Power in the



department

Degree structure


Methods• Introducing Human

Geography• Geographies of

Development• Imagining Places

Optional modules• Dangerous Planet• World Cities• A humanities or social

science module or anothermodule outside thedepartment

Year 2Core modules• Geographical Thought and

Practice

Optional modules• Field study (Spain or Italy)• Economies, Politics and

Space• Cultural and Historical

Geography• Shopping and Space• Urban and Rural

Management• A module outside the

department


Optional modules• Applied Project (placement)• Food, Space and Society• Geography and Empire• Spatial Analysis (GIS)• Geography of Travel• Children’s Geographies• Space and Power in the


Development in Africa• Sustainable Cities• Field study (Malawi)• a module outside the

department

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BA Human GeographyUCAS code: L720

Geography

The Human Geography degree lets you explore in depth theinteractions between society and environment.

A wide range of modules about cities, development, sustainability,economies, globalisation, resources, agriculture, culture, identity,nationalism, social exclusion and historical landscapes are available, alltaught by staff who are actively researching in these areas.

Students on this course take the same core human geographymodules as those on the BA Geography course plus one additionalspecialised human geography module.You are not required to takeany physical or environmental modules. Instead, you select anadditional module from a range of social science and humanitiesoptions, or you can take a modern language.

Field trips are an important aspect of this course, giving you hands-onexperience of using human geography field techniques. All studentsparticipate in a weekend field course in Whitby in the first year. Anumber of overseas field-study modules are available in the secondyear. Recent locations for BA student field trips have included Spain,Italy and New York.There is also an optional third-year field coursebased in Malawi.

All Human Geography students acquire key skills, includingappreciation of places and their differences, awareness of spatialconnections, and expertise in geographical information systems, dataanalysis, qualitative methods, group work and report writing.

Degree structure


Methods• Global Environments• Geoscience• Geobiology• Landforms and Ecosystems

Optional modules• Dangerous Planet• A module outside the

department


Geography• Sedimentology


Tenerife)• Processes and Landforms• Ecosystems• People, Land and Time• A module outside the

department

Year 3Core modules• Dissertation• Geoprocess Modelling

Optional modules• Quaternary Environments• Applied Project (placement)• Water Resources• Spatial Analysis (GIS)• Fluvial Processes and

Management• Renewable Energy• Wetland Archaeology• Hunter-Gatherers to

Farmers• Geographical Ecology• Field study (Malawi)• A module outside the

department

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www.hull.ac.uk

BSc Physical GeographyUCAS code: F840

The Physical Geography degree offers the opportunity to exploreboth physical processes and environmental aspects of geography.

This BSc course shows how environments have changed in the past,what controls the dynamics of environments in the present and howwe can predict changes in the future.The major components ofenvironmental variability are studied, and an important aspect of thecourse is hands-on training in practical analytical techniques.

The course is built around a core of earth science modules. Pathwaysand field studies in Years 2 and 3 are similar to those for BScGeography, with the addition of core modules in Sedimentology andGeoprocess Modelling.

All students participate in a field trip to the North York MoorsNational Park in the first year. A number of optional overseas field-study modules are available in the second year. Current locations forfield trips are France and Tenerife. Many optional modules alsoinclude a field-work element, and there is an optional third-year fieldcourse based in Malawi.

The Physical Geography degree has recruited 15–20 students eachyear since it started in the 1980s.The provision of small-groupteaching and the development of a wide range of field andlaboratory skills remain central to our programme.

Degree structure

Year 1Core modules• Environmental Issues• Global Environments• Introduction to Geographical

Methods

Optional modules• Global Environments• Introducing Human

Geography• Landforms and Ecosystems• Geographies of

Development• Dangerous Planet• World Cities• A module outside the

department

Year 2Core modules• Environmental Management

Principles• Core Skills in Physical

Geography (BSc)• Geographical Thought and

Practice (BA)

Optional modules• Field study (France,Tenerife,

Italy or Spain)• Economies, Politics and

Space• Ecosystems• Local Environments• Urban and Rural

Management• Shopping and Space• A module outside the

department


Optional modules• Applied Project (placement)• Water Resources• Fluvial Processes and

Management• Renewable Energy• Geographical Ecology• Quaternary Environments• Wetland Archaeology• Hunter-Gatherers to

Farmers• Spatial Analysis (GIS)• Food, Space and Society• Geography and Empire• Geography of Travel• Children’s Geographies• Space and Power in the

North American City• Environment and


department

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BA/BSc Environmental ManagementUCAS code: F755/F756

Geography

The BA and BSc Environmental Management degree coursesenable you to explore a wide range of environmental issues andprocesses that link together physical and human systems.

The courses have a common first year, when students take bothnatural and social science modules. After the first year, you mayspecialise more in natural science (BSc) or social science (BA),depending on the options that you choose. In natural science you canstudy complex and dynamic physical environments and processes,such as rivers, glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, ecology, soils, climateand climate change, as well as techniques for environmentalmonitoring and modelling. In social science, you can study complexhuman problems, organisations and activities, such as sustainableresource use, urban regeneration, rural management, environmentalpolicy and sustainable consumption.

Being based in a geography department means that the courses arediverse and emphasise interrelationships across space and time, andbetween humans and the environment, in considering the challengesfor environmental management.

All students acquire key skills, including GIS (geographical informationsystems), data analysis, group work and report writing, through coremodules and through field work, which offers students hands-onexperience of using environmental techniques. Field work is offeredin the local region and overseas in various modules. All first-yearstudents participate in field studies in the North York Moors NationalPark, and a number of optional overseas field-study modules areavailable in Year 2. (Current locations are France,Tenerife, Spain andItaly.) Additional field studies may also be associated with particularoptional modules, and there is an optional third-year field coursebased in Malawi.

Degree structure


Methods• Global Environments• Landforms and Ecosystems

Optional modules• Geoscience• Geobiology• Dangerous Planet• A module outside the

department


Geography


Tenerife)• Sedimentology• Processes and Landforms• Applied Physical Geography• Ecosystems• People, Land and Time• A module outside the

department

Year 3Core modules• Literature Review

Dissertation• Problem Solving and

Research Design

Optional modules• Geoprocess Modelling• Quaternary Environments• Applied Project (placement)• Water Resources• Wetland Archaeology• Hunter-Gatherers to

Farmers• Spatial Analysis (GIS)• Renewable Energy• Fluvial Processes and

ManagementGeographical Ecology

• Environment andDevelopment in Africa

• Field study (Malawi)• A module outside the

department

Year 4Core modules• Dissertation• Field study (Malta)• Contemporary Issues in

Landscape Dynamics

Optional modules• Marine Sedimentary Systems• Renewable Energy• Applied Environmental

Change• Waste Science

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www.hull.ac.uk

Master of Physical Geography (4 years)UCAS code: F841

The Master of Physical Geography degree course is the first of itstype in the UK. Our high-calibre academic staff, which includesgeologists, geochemists, botanists, atmospheric scientists andarchaeologists as well as specialist physical geographers, enables awide range of modules to be offered.These give you theopportunity to acquire key skills and knowledge which will enableyou to understand and interpret how environments have changedin the past, what controls the dynamics of environments in thepresent and how changes in the future might be predicted.

The emphasis is on small-group teaching and student-centredlearning. We place considerable emphasis on practical and field-basedteaching.

Students taking the MPhysGeog degree study physical geographymodules selected from our two BSc courses in Years 1 and 2, withspecialist modules coming in the third year.The dissertation occupiesabout half of the final year and offers you the opportunity toundertake independent research closely related to your owninterests.

In Years 1 and 2, students participate in the same field studies asthose taking the BSc courses. In Year 3, the field-study topics aredetermined by the choice of optional modules. In Year 4, there is anadvanced field-workshop module which involves a visit to theMaltese Islands.

Degree structure


Methods• Introducing Human Geography• Geographies of Development

Optional modules• Representing the Past in Film• Asia and the World since the late

19th Century• The Making of Europe, 1100–1300• Making and Meaning: An

Introduction to the History of Art• Reform and Reaction:The

Reformation and English Society,1529–1583

• Consumer Cultures• Dangerous Planet• World Cities• A module outside the

Departments of Geography andHistory

Year 2Core modules• Geographical Thought and Practice• Cultural and Historical Geography

Optional modules• Field study (Spain or Italy)• Economies, Politics and Space• Urban and Rural Management• People, Land and Time• Shopping and Space• Pre-Conquest Settlement of the

Americas• The Age of Discovery• The Dutch in the Golden Age• The Archaeology of Roman Britain• The Impact of the First World War

in Britain• An Enlightened Century: Britain,

1700–1800• Imperialism, Nationalism and

Decolonisation• Italian Renaissance Art:The High

Renaissance in Rome• Indian Society and the Rise and Fall

of British Dominion• Ruling England• Britain, France and Decolonisation• Venetian Renaissance Art• Britons, Angles, Saxons and the

Vikings:The Archaeology of EarlyMedieval England

• Disease, Sex and Medicine:TheBody in Early Modern Europe

• A Society in Transition: England,1700–1815

• Emancipation to Revolution:TheModernisation of the RussianEconomy, 1861–1917

• Dying and Death in WesternEurope: From Rome to theRenaissance

• Piracy, Privateering and the AtlanticEconomy, 1560–1856

• The British Empire• East and West Germany from

‘Zero Hour’ to Reunification• The Victorians• A module outside the


Year 3Core modules• Dissertation (counts as two

modules)

Optional modules• Applied Project (placement)• Food, Space and Society• Geography and Empire• Geography of Travel• Children’s Geographies• Space and Power in the North

American City• Environment and Development in

Africa• Sustainable Cities• Field study (Malawi)• The Parisi: Iron Age and Roman

East Yorkshire• From Revolution and Romanticism

to Sex and the City: 19th-CenturyFrench Art

• Britain and the Slave Trade• Occupation, Collaboration and

Resistance in Western Europe• Command!• Medieval Yorkshire• Britain in Decline: Economic

Performance in the 20th Century• Britain, the United States and the

Middle East, 1945–1962• Army, State and Society in France,

1740–1914• Gender and Culture in Early

Modern England• Sea Change: Britain’s Maritime

Interests• A module outside the


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BA Geography and HistoryUCAS code: LV71

Geography

History and human geography have many similarities,both in the intellectual questions that they seek toaddress and in the techniques that they employ in orderto answer them.The relationships between humans,their environment and each other are questions whichoccupy researchers in both disciplines. Geographers canbenefit from evidence derived from the historicalrecord, and historians often draw upon geographicalknowledge and concepts in interpreting the past.

On this degree you will therefore be studying twodisciplines which support and complement each othervery well. Students gain the key skills and backgroundknowledge to investigate the network of interconnectedrelationships that make up societies and cultures acrosstime and space.

Field trips are an important aspect of the course. Allstudents participate in a weekend field course in Whitbyin the first year. A number of optional field-study modulesare available in the second year. Recent locations for fieldtrips have included Spain, Italy and New York.There is alsoan optional third-year field course based in Malawi.

Degree structure


Methods• British Archaeology• Global Environments• Archaeology: History,Theory

and Method• Landforms and Ecosystems


department

Year 2Core modules• Core Skills in Geography• Archaeological Field

Methods• Environmental Archaeology


Tenerife)• Applied Physical Geography• Ecosystems• Processes and Landforms• People, Land and Time• Shopping and Space• A module outside the

department


Optional modules• Applied Project (placement)• Spatial Analysis (GIS)• Fluvial Processes and

Management• Quaternary Environments• Renewable Energy• Water Resources• Geographical Ecology• Wetland Archaeology• Hunter-Gatherers to

Farmers• The Parisi: Iron Age and

Roman East Yorkshire• Field study (Malawi)• A module outside the

department

Geo

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hy

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www.hull.ac.uk

BSc Geography and ArchaeologyUCAS code: FF84

This degree offers a combination of theoretical and practicalmodules. It is a novel course which seeks to combine the keyaspects of physical geography and archaeology around the theme ofthe environment past and present.

The course aims to foster the skills needed for the observation,analysis and evaluation of the relationships that have existed and existtoday between people, environment and resources; to develop yourunderstanding of past societies through the study of archaeologicalevidence; and to develop your understanding of the theory andpractice of archaeology and geography, and their relationship to eachother.

This degree cultivates a range of core skills that will be invaluableboth before and after you graduate.You will develop the ability towork cooperatively with others as well as to organise your ownwork effectively.The course emphasises independent thought,problem solving and the analysis of complex issues. Such skills arehighly valued by employers.

Our graduates go on to employment relating to archaeology andgeography (in the UK there are jobs in universities, museums,archaeological units, planning departments and national parks), orwithin related areas such as publishing or the growing fields ofheritage and environmental management.

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We offer a choice of three degree courses inwhich you can study geography as your majorsubject and another discipline as your minor.

BA Geography with BusinessUCAS code: F8N1This is the degree course for you if you want tocombine your interest in geography withdeveloping knowledge on a range of subjectsrelevant to the business world. It providesexperience in business management and developsspecific business skills.The business component ofthe course involves taking two compulsorymodules in Year 1 (Business Environments andMarketing), a further two in Year 2 (BusinessFunctions and Business Law and Ethics) and one inYear 3 (International Business).

BA Geography with MarketingUCAS code: F8N5If you wish to gain experience in marketingalongside your studies in geography, this is thedegree course for you. It involves a mixture oftheoretical and vocational-based subjects, whichgives you an in-depth knowledge andunderstanding of the principles of marketing.Youwill develop a toolbox of marketing techniquesand an appreciation of the role of marketing withina range of business environments.The marketingcomponent of the course involves taking twocompulsory modules in Year 1 (BusinessEnvironments and Marketing), two in Year 2 (BuyerBehaviour and Marketing Operations) and one inYear 3 (International Marketing).

BSc Geography with Sport ScienceUCAS code: F8C6If you are interested in sport or how exercise andnutrition can promote health, this degree course isfor you.Tackling a variety of subjects, it gives youthe opportunity to gain skills and backgroundknowledge that are in increasing demand among arange of employers in the sports, health andlifestyle industries.The course combines geographywith modules in physiology and trainingmethodologies but also allows you to takemodules in a wide range of other areas, includingmodern languages.

Major/minor degrees

Geography

Geo

grap

hy

15

Global Environmentsexamines how the complex interaction of earthsurface, oceanic and atmospheric processes affectsthe distribution of different environments andspecies across the globe.The significant longer-term processes affecting the planet, from platetectonics to climate, are reviewed to identifycurrent and future changes in the environmentsthat we see around us today.

Introducing Human Geographiesintroduces the key ideas, concepts and debates ofcurrent human geography.The factors influencingthe development of economies and cultures at aglobal level are examined.

Landforms and Ecosystemsstudies the patterns of life at the landscape scale,from tropical rainforests through to arctic tundra,and examines the type and formation of landformsfrom deserts to glaciers.

Imagining Placesinvestigates the ways in which we know andinterpret places and construct our understandingsof the world.The module explores geographicalimaginations through a series of case studies ofdifferent places and world-regions in the past andthe present.

Geographies of Developmentintroduces a range of themes covering our currentunderstanding of development and how it isconceived in both the North and the South. Bothhistorical and current perspectives on thedevelopment of countries in Africa and Americaare examined, with a focus on ethnicity, migration,equality and social dynamics.

World Citiesexamines what makes each city distinctive, and theways in which cities are represented andperceived. A range of cities including New York,Berlin, London and Los Angeles are studied tounderstand their role in a ‘globalising’ world.

Dangerous Planetstudies the environmental hazards which have acatastrophic effect on landscapes and the peoplewho live in them.The causes and impacts of floods,earthquakes, volcanoes, droughts and avalanchesare analysed.

British Archaeologystudies the key chronological periods and culturaldevelopments of British archaeology from earlyprehistory to the more recent historical era.

Archaeology: History,Theory and Methodintroduces the methods of archaeologicalinvestigation in a variety of situations and reviewsthe means of analysis and interpretation.

Tutorials / Geographical Methodsintroduces the ideas and methods behindgeographical research, using an integrated tutorial-and class-based approach.

Geobiologyintroduces the laboratory and field techniquesrequired for the study of fossil groups.

Geoscienceprovides an introduction to laboratory and fieldtechniques used in earth science, includinggeological map interpretation, rock andmineralogical identification, field logging and datagathering, and photogeology.

www.hull.ac.uk

Hull University has agreat campus, and Hullitself provides a greatstudent nightlife andaccommodation ataffordable prices.

The BSc Geographycourse was reallyfriendly, with loads ofgood times to be had onthe numerous field trips,both local and overseas.As well as a good socialatmosphere the courseoffered a soundacademic footing. It wasflexible, so I chose tofocus mainly on thescientific aspects ofgeography, but it alsoallowed me toincorporate somehuman geographyaspects.

The high quality ofteaching and supportoffered by the staffhelped me achieve agood degree andenabled me to move onto an MSc in EuropeanEnvironmental Policyand Regulation.

I now work for AEATEnvironment, where myteam provides an airquality consultancyservice for local andnational government,the private sector andthe EuropeanCommission. I am in aposition now where Ican really make acontribution to solvingenvironmental issues. It’sbeen a lot of hard workto get here, but a goodstart in the GeographyDepartment at HullUniversity certainlyhelped!

Kate HaighBSc Geography – air qualityconsultant

First-year modules

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Some frequently asked questionsWhat is the balance between formalexaminations and other types ofassessment?Assessment is usually through a mixture ofcoursework and examination. Most geographymodules have a 50:50 split between courseworkand examination, but some are 100% coursework.The type of coursework varies.The teaching is splitinto two semesters, and most modules are taughtand examined within the same semester. So thereare two exam periods: January and May/June.

What teaching methods are used, and howare students supported?We use a variety of teaching methods – lectures,tutorials, seminars, discussion classes, practicalclasses and field work. We place particularemphasis on the first-year tutorial, helping you todevelop learning skills as part of the transferableskills programme and to make a smooth transitionto university study. Seminar and discussion classesare used in teaching, particularly in the second andthird years, along with lectures, in all years. Allstudents attend practical classes in computing aspart of the transferable skills programme, whilestudents taking physical geography modules alsoparticipate in laboratory classes.

A range of field-work activities in the UK andoverseas are offered across different modules,providing valuable opportunities to experience andstudy varied human and physical environments atfirst hand.

In addition to support from tutorials, each studenthas a supervisor who looks after their academicand personal well-being throughout their degreecourse. Students also benefit from the support oftechnical staff and postgraduate teaching assistantsin computing and laboratory classes, as well asassistance from the department’s Student ProgressOfficer.

The department has its own teaching rooms,library, computer facilities and laboratories withinthe Cohen Building, all providing an excellentlearning environment.The department has threecomputer rooms accessible to undergraduatestudents, a work area of 50 networked computers,a teaching resource area of 12 computers and aGIS laboratory with 30 computers. We also have anewly equipped large teaching laboratory as wellas a range of smaller specialist laboratories forboth teaching and research.

What areas of geography can be studiedat Hull?The modules offered reflect the varied researchinterests of the department’s academic staff andcover the spectrum of geography. Most of theseare available either as core or as option modulesto students on the BA and BSc Geographycourses. In the case of our other degree courses,some modules are specific to particular courseswhile others are not offered if they are notappropriate. It should be noted that we arecontinuously working to improve the range andscope of the modules that we offer, so themodules may change from time to time, but thelists within the course outlines on pages 6–14 givea flavour of the breadth of areas currently availablefor study.

Field teachingFor many students, field work is one of thehighlights of their degree studies, and at Hull weregard field teaching as a vital part of our courses.‘The field’ is the ultimate geographical laboratory,and learning to work in it is crucial to yourdevelopment as a geographer. Field work involvesthe use of techniques of observation, informationrecording and interpretation, and provides adeeper understanding of what a particular area islike, how it was shaped and how it functions.

Field work plays an important part in each year ofour degree courses. In the first year, soon afterarrival in Hull, all new Geography students attend aresidential field weekend, usually in Whitby orScarborough.This introduces the geography of thelocal area (especially the Yorkshire Wolds and theNorth York Moors National Park) and themes,concepts and techniques which are developed inthe Geographical Methods module and tutorials. Inthe second year, students have the option toparticipate in an overseas field course – currentvenues include Spain, Italy, New York,Mediterranean France and Tenerife. In the thirdyear there is an optional field-based study modulewhich involves travel to Malawi – this is open tostudents on all our courses.

Local field work is integral to many modules in allthree years, and Hull is well placed to explore thegeographical diversity of its region – the NorthSea coast, the Humber Estuary, the West andSouth Yorkshire industrial conurbations, the PeakDistrict and the North York Moors are all withineasy reach.

Field work costsMany of our field excursions are subsidised by theUniversity.There is no charge for day excursions,but students are asked to contribute to the costsof travel and accommodation for all residentialfield trips.

Learning and teaching

Geography

What sort of subjects can I take?You can take almost any free electivemodule from outside your main course ofstudy, usually at your home campus.You caneven take a module from another faculty.You should discuss your choice of freeelectives with your supervisor.

What are the main reasons forparticipating?• The scheme gives you the opportunity

to study a subject without having tocommit yourself to taking furthermodules in that subject area.

• By taking a free elective you are able tofollow up your interests as part of yourdegree.

• With a broader education you mayacquire extra skills that will help youwhen you enter the employment market.

SEMESTER 2

20 credits

20 credits

20credits

20 credits

20 credits

SEMESTER 1

Here you take modules fromyour main course of study.

Here you have the option to takea free elective or another modulefrom your main course of study.

20credits

Admissions policyAdmissions information provided in this pamphlet is intended as ageneral guide and cannot cover all possibilities. Entry requirementsare generally stated in terms of A level grades and/or UCAS points,but we encourage applications from people with a wide range ofother qualifications and/or experience. Some further details of thevarious entry routes are included in our general prospectus. Pleasecontact the Admissions Office (see below) with any specific queriesabout admissions.

DisclaimerThis pamphlet is intended principally as a guide for applicants.Thematters covered by it – academic and otherwise – are subject tochange from time to time both before and after students areadmitted.While every reasonable precaution was taken in theproduction of this pamphlet, the University does not accept liabilityfor any inaccuracies or changes. Information relating to studyprogrammes is issued for the general guidance of students enteringthe University and does not form part of any contract.The Universityhopes to provide the courses and facilities described, but reservesthe right to withdraw or to make alterations to courses and facilitiesif necessary.

AddressFor general enquiries, please write to

Admissions OfficeThe University of HullHull, HU6 7RX, UKT +44 (0)1482 466100F +44 (0)1482 442290E [email protected]

Dates of semestersFor the current semester dates please visit our website atwww.hull.ac.uk.

Studying for a degree at Hull is a unique experience.We aim toprovide you with an education that offers both depth andbreadth of knowledge.To meet these ends the University hasdeveloped an optional Free Elective Scheme.This scheme enablesthe majority of undergraduate students to take one module ayear from outside their main course of study.

So, how does it work?Each year you take 120 credits’ worth of modules.

Free Elective Scheme

geography - university of hull undergraduate subject brochure 2009

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