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Study Abroad Opportunities at Queen’s University Belfast

Dr Helen Roe School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology (GAP)

Presentation for students and staff at University of New Brunswick, Canada, 24 & 25 September 2015

Outline •  Northern Ireland •  Belfast – A Vibrant Capital City •  Queen’s – Introduction •  Queen’s – Facilities •  International Students at Queen’s / Study Abroad •  School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology - Introduction - Facilities •  Undergraduate Modules •  Taught Masters Courses

•  Questions

We've got a habit of making world changers

An Introduction to Queen’s University Belfast

See Queen’s YouTube page for videos including: - Life on Campus, - 10 Reasons to Choose Queen’s University - Accommodation at Queen’s University - Why Study at Queen’s University

An Introduction to Queen’s University Belfast

https://www.youtube.com/user/Come2Queens

Northern Ireland

•  Good accessibility to other parts of UK & Ireland

–  2hr train/bus/car journey to Dublin

–  1hr flight to London

–  Direct flight to the USA

•  All-Ireland population = 6.4 million

•  Northern Ireland population = 1.8 million

–  Greater Belfast population = 650,000

–  City population = 270,000

•  Northern Ireland size = 100 x 75 miles

Queen’s University Belfast

Belfast •  A Vibrant Capital City

–  Dynamic, thriving cultural environment

–  One of the youngest populations of Europe (average age is 36)

•  Cost of Living

–  Most affordable student city (NatWest Student Living Index 2015)

–  Lowest cost of living in UK (Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living

Survey 2014)

•  Safety

–  Crime safety and security index = 83/100

–  3rd among comparable cities above Dublin, Cardiff and Rotterdam


We Are Rich With Heritage

•  Established in 1845

–  Originally one of three Queen’s College in Ireland

–  The Queen’s University of Belfast from 1908

–  Ninth oldest University in the UK

•  Buildings from 1847 to the present day

–  Civic or “redbrick” university

–  Campus feel in an urban setting

•  Alumni Connections

–  Seamus Heaney, Mary McAleese, Ciaran Carson, Liam Neeson


A World Class University

•  “Queen’s enjoys a reputation as Ireland’s Oxbridge”

–  Sunday Times University Guide 2013

•  Russell Group Member since 2006

•  Ranked in top 200 of universities globally

–  QS World Rankings 2015

•  Global Research Institutes

–  Global Peace, Security and Justice

–  Global Food Security

–  Health Sciences

–  Electronics, Communications and Information Technology


Queen’s in Numbers

•  20,000 full-time enrolments

–  15,000 undergraduate

–  5,000 postgraduate

•  3,500 faculty and staff members

•  Over 1,700 international students from 80 different countries

•  Over 200 North American students

•  Joint #12 in National Student Survey 2015

–  Overall student satisfaction 90%

–  Queen’s Students Union in top 25%

Queen's University Belfast

Academics •  Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social

Sciences

–  English, History, Management, Creative Arts, Politics, Sociology, Languages, Law, Education, Anthropology, Philosophy

•  Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

–  Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Chemical, Electrical), Computer Science, Planning, Architecture, Math, Physics, Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Psychology, Chemistry

•  Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences

–  Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing/Midwifery, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, Biology


A Life-Changing Experience •  International and Postgraduate Centre

–  Staff provide advice on postgraduate skills, training, employability and immigration requirements

–  Welcome and Orientation for International Students (airport pick-up)

•  Accommodation

–  Guaranteed for international students

–  Short walk to the main campus

•  Students’ Union

–  Cafes, shops, bars, bank, restaurants

–  Over 150 different clubs and organisations

•  McClay Library

–  New £50 million facility opened in 2009

•  Physical Education Centre

–  Training camp for the 2012 Olympics


Destination Belfast •  CNN 2013

–  “One of Europe’s hottest destinations”

•  National Geographic Traveller 2012

–  Top 10 Global Destinations

–  Belfast described as a “treasure” with an “incredible atmosphere”.

•  Fodor 2012

–  Named in top 21 cities to visit

•  The Lonely Planet

–  “City on the Rise”

–  “Get here before the rest of world does.”


Queen's University Belfast – International Students

Please see website for further details: http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens//InternationalStudents/

Queen's University Belfast – International Students

Queen's University Belfast – Study Abroad

Please see website for further details: http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/ExchangesandStudyAbroad/StudyAbroadprogramme/

School of Geography, Archaeology & Palaeoecology (GAP) at Queen’s University Belfast •  Who are we?

•  What do we do?

•  Come and join us!

Dr Finbar McCormick, School of GAP Study Abroad Co-ordinator [email protected]

•  Who are we?

Buildings and people, Traditions and identity

School of Geography, Archaeology & Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast

TRADITION AND IDENTITY

Geography

Archaeology Palaeoecology

The School of Geography,

Archaeology and Palaeoecology

Geography

Archaeology Palaeoecology

TRADITION AND IDENTITY

BUILDINGS

Elmwood Building (Geography and School Office)

Fitzwilliam Street Building (Archaeology and Palaeoecology)

E Estyn Evans (1905-1989), First lecturer in Geography at Queen's University Belfast (1928)

E Martyn Jope (1915–1996) First lecturer in Archaeology at Queen’s University Belfast (1949)

Awarded Victoria Medal of the Royal Geographical Society (1973) and the Merit Award of the Association of American Geographers (1979)

Elected Fellow of the British Academy in 1965, Member of the Royal Irish Academy in 1971

(Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, 1958) (The Archaeological Survey of Northern Ireland, 1966)

Long established heritage for intellectual innovation

PRESENT PEOPLE

32 academics, 21 research staff, 51 research students, 350 undergraduates

Maria Bennett, Keith Bennett, Jennifer McKinley and Joanne McMurdy with the Athena Swan Silver Award 2013, on behalf of the School

Scientific Women’s Academic Network (SWAN) 2013 and 2015 Silver Awards

Head of School, Professor Audrey Horning

PRESENT PEOPLE

WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH

– Past Cultural Change through time & space; Palaeolithic to modern era; field & laboratory work

– Environmental Change from Quaternary studies through to contemporary studies of climate & sea level change; field work, modeling & 14C dating – Historical & Contemporary Geographies of knowledge, politics & power; development; science & culture; identity & territoriality; GIS & cartographic techniques.

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis

14C CHRONO

WHY STUDY AT GAP?

Excellence in teaching – university & national awards

Geography ranked in the world top 100 (QS rankings 2013)

Archaeology ranked 8th in UK (Guardian University Guide 2014)

Flexible programme – tailored to interests; blend or specialise in the aspects of archaeology, palaeoecology or human & physical geography that most interest you

Student support - personal tutors; small-group teaching; embedded skills & employability; fieldwork

School Services & Facilities

•  Recently refurbished lecture theatre •  Map Library •  Analytical Laboratories •  School Office •  Student rep on committees •  Research seminars •  Research units (e.g. GIS Unit, CDDA, CAF, CCS) •  Teaching Rooms •  Access to computers/wifi all around the campus •  Elmwood Learning and Teaching Centre right next door •  Book and Journal availability in the McClay Library/Online •  New! Undergraduate Student Resource Room

QUB Geography Society

GAP Formal

Peer Mentoring Hoodies

Book Sales

Bowling

GeogSoc and ArchSoc Provide an opportunity to integrate with other Geography & Archaeology students in a fun environment

Quizzes

Volunteering

QUB Degree Plus Qualification

Students enjoying the GAP Formal

Trips away

2nd year students volunteering for Belfast Hills

PROGRAMMES OFFERED – SCHOOL OF GAP

GEOGRAPHY DEGREE PROGRAMMES • BSc Single Honours Geography • BSc Single Honours Geography with Extended Studies in Europe (4 years) • BSc Joint Honours Archaeology-Palaeoecology and Geography ARCHAEOLOGY & PALAEOECOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAMMES • BA Honours Archaeology • BA Honours Archaeology with French • BA Honours Archaeology with Portuguese • BA Honours Archaeology with Spanish • BA Joint Honours Archaeology and History • BA Joint Honours Archaeology and Irish • MSci Honours Archaeology • BSc Single Honours Archaeology-Palaeoecology • BSc Joint Honours Archaeology-Palaeoecology and Geography.

Note: For degree pathway available options each year, please check the School website

Critical issues – past & present cultural change, environmental issues, climate, globalisation, migration, sustainability, geopolitics A passion for the world - landscape, environments, cities, habitats, inequality

Skills - data analysis, visual analysis, critical thinking Employability - subject knowledge, transferrable skills, flexible, dynamic

WHY STUDY GEOGRAPHY or ARCHAEOLOGY?

What to expect at ? Terminology Semester – the academic year at Queen’s is divided into two semesters each comprising 12 teaching weeks Module – this term describes a subject-specific, 12 week course, students have to complete 6 of these per year. 18 modules for an Honour’s degree for QUB students Study Abroad Students select modules from options available across the three academic years (Levels 1, 2 & 3), with the guidance of the School’s Study Abroad Co-ordinator. Note: students must ensure that the selected modules timetable within their selected semester(s) of study.

Year 1 Geography Pathway

modules per academic year Semester 1 Dynamic Earth: deals with dynamic global systems such as plate tectonics & the shaping of the Earth’s crust. Human Geographies of the Modern World: provides opportunity to explore how human geography can contribute to analyses of historical & contemporary societies.

Year 1 Geography Pathway

Semester 2 Principles & Processes of Physical Geography: provides an integrated evaluation of the physical environment at local, regional & global scales. Spaces of Development: offers a comparative perspective of the meaning of ‘development’ across different epochs, world regions, and policies. .

Year 1 Archaeology

Semester 1 Introduction to World Archaeology: provides introduction to the scope of the global discipline of archaeology & different approaches by scholars. Europe in Prehistory: explores emergence of early humans (40,000 yrs ago) thro to European Iron Age (50 B.C.) Ancient Humans and Landscapes: introduces the evolution of hominins in changing environments, from primate origins to settled societies.

Year 1 Archaeology

Semester 2 Barbarians, Vikings and Traders – The Archaeology of Historic Europe: this spans the whole of western Europe, from Ireland and southern Spain to the Ukraine (400 AD to 1200 AD) Environmental Change – Past, Present and Future: introduction to the principles & techniques used to reconstruct past environments & detect environmental change.

Year 2 Modules within the Geography pathway

Contemporary Approaches to Geographical enquiry: examines the key theoretical debates which underpin contemporary approaches to research in Human and Physical Geography

Geographies of Economic Restructuring: why and how the economies of the world vary spatially and influence policy.

Maps & Mapping - From the Stone Age to the Digital Age: examines the conceptual, empirical & technical approaches to cartography.

Cultural & Political Geography: exploration of ways of understanding spaces of cultural & political difference

Geomorphology: how landscapes evolve & what future changes may occur due to environmental change.

Landscape & Geographic Information Systems (GIS): vocational training in using GIS for Geography & Archaeology

Sustaining the Biosphere: the biological / physical interactions of the world. Techniques in Earth Science: introduces a range of Earth Science techniques in

spatial, temporal, quantitative & qualitative data collection, manipulation & analysis. Heritage, Culture and Land-Use - one week residential field trip to Malta that

investigates land-use and heritage issues in an insular setting.

Year 2 Modules within the Archaeology pathways

Flints, Farmers and Forts: Ireland in Prehistory: survey of the archaeology of Ireland from 8000 BC to the coming of Christianity.

From St. Patrick to the Plantation: The Archaeology of Historic Ireland: covers the origins of Christianity in Ireland through to the turbulent 14thC and the Plantation of Ulster in 1609.

Palaeoenvironmental Techniques: introduces a range of leading techniques and proxies used to reconstruct past environments.

Landscapes and Geographical Information Systems (GIS): vocational training in using GIS for Geography & Archaeology.

Archaeological Excavation: a practical course run by the Centre for Archaeology Fieldwork (CAF) on a field site.

Thinking Through Things: Theorizing Global Archaeology: this seeks to broaden knowledge of theoretical approaches within the discipline, particularly to inform the construction of research questions and designs.

Archaeology and Heritage of Rome: introduces students to the archaeological heritage & material culture of ancient & historic Rome, through a week-long field trip.

For further details regarding module content and which semester the modules will run in 2016-17, please see the School webpages or contact the Study Abroad Co-ordinator

Year 2 Field-based Modules

Techniques in Earth Science: a ‘hands-on’ module that teaches various methods of analysing spatial and palaeoenvironmental data in Malta.

Heritage, Culture and Land Use: examines the issues of urbanisation,

land use, economy and tourism in Malta. The Mediterranean: Exploring Dynamic Environments: examines the

dynamics of landscape change within the Mediterranean region, with particular reference to Mallorca, blending human and physical issues.

Ancient Rome: exploring Rome’s history, archaeology and the

management of its preservation.

Top: Student analysing a Karst landscape in Mallorca

“It brought to life the preparation lectures and applied elements from other modules”

Recent Queen’s Graduate

Field-based modules

Right: Cultural change at

Estellencs, Mallorca

Left: Coring at Sluggan Bog, Northern Ireland

GAP2039: Archaeological Excavation June-July 2014: Struell Wells & Saul, Co. Down

NB To take this module it would be necessary to book accommodation in early summer

GAP2048: The Mediterranean: exploring dynamic environments

Note: Residential Field Course Modules have additional course fees

Year 3 - Geography Some popular modules include: -  Arid Environments -  Glacial & Peri-glacial Geomorphology -  Geoforensics -  Sea-level Change - Past, Present & Future -  Climate Change: Science & Society -  Geography, Science & Society -  Geography of War & Public Memory -  Geographies of Contested Territories -  Geographies of Global Finance -  Urbanisation in Emerging Economies -  Advanced GIS -  Geography at Work

Examples of modules available at Year 3 include:

Arid Environments: explores the geomorphology and hazards of hot desert regions.

Saharan sand sea

Desert dust storm in Algeria


Geographies of Global Finance: investigates emergence of global finance & its implications for the governance of the global economy

Global finance & the geographies of crisis & austerity

Trading Places

Year 3 - Archaeology

Some popular modules include: -  Society, Death and Disease -  Volcanoes: Environmental & Social Impacts -  Heritage & Cultural Landscapes: Explorations & Interpretations -  Quaternary Palaeoecology -  Palaeolithic Pioneers: Adaptation & Colonization in Global Perspective -  Medieval Settlement -  The Archaeology of Human Evolution


Quaternary Palaeoecology: explores the evidence for how organisms have responded to climate change on Quaternary timescales (the last 2 million years) in terms of movement, evolution & extinction, using both fossil and genetic evidence.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/gap/CurrentStudents/Undergraduate/Modules2015-2016/

Note: Available options may change slightly from year to year – for options in 2015-16 see:

MA in Human Geography: Society, Space and Culture

MSc in Cultural Heritage and GIS (Geographical Information Systems)

http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/gap/StudyattheSchool/PostgraduateStudies/

A Student’s Experience

Name: Camilla Thompsell Studying: BSc Geography From: England, UK I chose to study at Queen’s for a number of reasons: its fantastic academic reputation as a Russell Group University; the huge variety of course modules available; the range of Study Abroad programmes available to students and its location within the welcoming and buzzing city of Belfast. After visiting the University and meeting the students and staff I knew that this was the place for me. During my course I have been given the opportunity to discover and explore a wide range of geography topics. Queen’s has developed my employability by equipping me with transferable skills such as presentation, communication, organisation and leadership. Just as important, Queen’s has developed me as a person.

(Awarded place on UK Civil Service Fast Stream graduate entry programme – currently on placement as Early Years Policy & Guidance Manager at Ofsted)

For Further Information For further information about the School and studying here please see:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/gap

Dr Finbar McCormick – Study Abroad Co-ordinator 2015-2016 [email protected]

Geography students who volunteered for the Young Civic Leaders of Northern Ireland programme

Archaeology students on a DoE excavation at Dunluce Castle, Co. Antrim

GAP student, Jodie Jackson, wins QUBSU ‘What’s the Big Idea?’ award for a Social Enterprise in the Philippines


Questions?

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