Why you should study this course
- Coventry University has taught geography for over 40 years.
- Current research expertise in flood risk, storm water management, sea level change, quaternary environmental change, and ecological monitoring and management.
- Excellent support for, and track record, in employability.
- Opportunities to participate in challenging and exciting residential field trips each year, exploring the UK and overseas*.
- Large range of optional modules allows you to tailor your degree to suit your interests with topics such as environmental change and management, hazards, biodiversity and conservation, planning and sustainability, Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing.
- To augment field trip experiences, you will be taught in the Simulation Centre, which is among the most advanced interactive people training and development centres in the UK. Its cutting-edge technology which is unique in the UK, its Learning Curve interactive screen and real-life scenarios using specially-trained actors, can not only improve skills but help develop new ways of working in otherwise inaccessible environments.
What you'll study
Our geography degrees are designed to help develop your knowledge of the spatial organisation and evolution of the human and physical environment, within the broad field of geographical and geoscientific inquiry.
In all three years, you will be encouraged to develop your practical, analytical and problem-solving skills, with appropriate training in how to conduct robust independent research in the laboratory and in the field, as well as detailed critical analysis and methods of reporting.
Year one
The first year of the course encompasses the study of people and place, spatial patterns, globalisation, economic, development, political social and cultural geographies, as well as landscape, climate change, and meteorology. For example, we will examine how processes of globalisation have impacted people across the planet and in the UK.
You will also have opportunity to learn to apply qualitative and quantitative techniques and have certified training in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software to map and visualise geographical issues.
The first year of the course encompasses the study of people and place, spatial patterns, globalisation, economic, development, political social and cultural geographies, as well as landscape, climate change, and meteorology. For example, we will examine how processes of globalisation have impacted people across the planet and in the UK.
You will also have opportunity to learn to apply qualitative and quantitative techniques and have certified training in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software to map and visualise geographical issues.
Modules
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Earth Surface Environments - 20 credits
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Geosystems - 20 credits
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A Globalising World - 20 credits
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People and Place - 20 credits
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Fundamentals of Geographical Research - 30 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
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Earth Surface Environments - 20 credits
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Geosystems - 20 credits
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A Globalising World - 20 credits
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People and Place - 20 credits
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Fundamentals of Geographical Research - 30 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
Year two
In the second year of the course you will explore in more depth the physical geography themes studied in the first year, for example climate change, river and coastal processes and biodiversity and ecology. Skills in research, data collection and analysis will be taught in class and put into practice on an international field trip. You will also have the opportunity to select one specialised optional module to further your specific interests in GIS, hydrometeorological hazards or contemporary environmental issues.
Modules
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Biogeography and Environmental Change - 20 credits
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Climate Change: The Science and Symptoms - 20 credits
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Fieldwork and Research Applications - 30 credits
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Rivers and Coasts - 20 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
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Applied GIS and Remote Sensing – 20 credits
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Contemporary Environmental Issues - 20 credits
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Hydrometeorological Hazards – 20 credits
Final year
In your final year, we aim to deepen your understanding of environmental systems and problems, such as assessing environmental hazards in different climates, and applying this knowledge during an international field trip*. You will be able to select more specialised options, including past climate and environmental change, biodiversity and conservation, planning and sustainability, and develop further skills in GIS.
You will also be required to carry out an independent piece of research for your dissertation. For example, former students have investigated sea level change in Scotland, evaluated lake reconstructions from south-east Asia, developed ways of assessing the value of alternative water management techniques, calculated the carbon storage potential of green roofs and assessed the potential for improving landscape connectivity for endangered species.
Modules
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Applied Geomorphology: Theory and Practice – 20 credits
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Research Dissertation – 30 credits
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International Fieldwork for Physical Geography - 20 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
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Biodiversity and Conservation – 20 credits
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Geo Informatics – 20 credits
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Quaternary Climate and Environmental Change – 20 credits
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Shaping Places: Planning, Sustainable, Environment – 20 credits
