Why you should study this course
- Current academics have research expertise in volcanic remote sensing, climate change and flooding.
- A diverse range of optional modules allow you to tailor your degree to suit your interests with topics such as climate change, GIS and Remote Sensing and savage earth.
- You will have opportunities to gain experience through professional training and international field experience*.
- To augment field trip experiences, you will have the chance to be taught in the Simulation Centre, which is one of the most advanced interactive people training and development centres in the UK.
What you'll study
All of our geography degrees are designed to develop your specialist knowledge of the physical and human environment. Throughout this course, you will be supported to develop your analytical and problem-solving skills, with appropriate training in how to conduct robust independent research in the laboratory and/or field within the broad area of geographical and geoscientific enquiry.
In your first year, you will touch upon topics covered in our other two geography degrees (BA and BSc), while also studying bespoke geography and natural hazards modules. The second and third years will then become more specialised, allowing you to study the processes associated with natural hazards as well as optional modules that will allow you to develop specialist knowledge in topics such as contemporary environmental change, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing.
All of our geography degrees encompass significant amounts of field trips both here in the UK and overseas, with recent trips visiting locations such as Sicily, Mallorca, Morocco and Tenerife We also have an excellent track record of supporting professional training, which is a popular option between your second and third year. Recent students have spent their optional sandwich year* with local authorities, national/international agencies, environmental consultancies and research institutes.
Year one
During the first year, you will have the opportunity to study the fundamentals of the natural and human environment including modules that encompass the nature of landscapes, environmental systems and their relationship with society. The geography and natural hazards degree will be framed within the context of natural hazards and the disaster management cycle. For example, we explore why particular communities are more vulnerable to the impacts of natural hazards and their capacity to mitigate these effects. You will also have the opportunity to learn skills in geographical research including statistical analysis, laboratory analysis and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Modules
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Geosystems - 20 credits
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Human Geography of Natural Hazards - 20 credits
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Earth Surface Environments - 20 credits
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Foundations of Geology - 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, you will have the chance to study bespoke modules to gain an in-depth understanding of the physical processes that govern natural hazards and the behaviour of the physical and human environment in relation to hazard events. We also aim to develop your skills in quantitative and qualitative research including data collection, data handling, critical analysis and methods of reporting. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to select one specialised optional module to develop your knowledge and skills in either GIS and Remote Sensing, climate change or how to deal with emergencies.
Modules
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GeoHazards – 20 credits
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Hydrometrological Hazards - 20 credits
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Geotechnics and Construction for Natural Hazards - 20 credits
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Fieldwork and Research Applications - 30 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
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Applied GIS and Remote Sensing – 20 credits
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Climate Change: Science and Symptoms – 20 credits
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Preparedness – 20 credits
Final year
In the final year, you will be encouraged to reflect critically on the nature of best practice and apply your learning from previous years to the analysis of natural hazards and risk. An international field trip* provides the opportunity to further develop your field skills, widen your international experience and conduct a primary research project. More specialised optional modules aim to develop your understanding of community resilience, GIS and Remote Sensing, and historic and contemporary environmental change.
In addition, you will have the chance to conduct an independent research project on a topic of your choice. Past students have decided to base this on the experience they obtained while on their professional placement. For example, a placement in New Zealand examining the tsunami hazard in Wellington led to an exceptional dissertation project. Other students chose a subject they felt passionate about, such as the flood risk in their home town.
Modules
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Research Dissertation – 30 credits
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International Field Trip for Physical Geography and Natural Hazards – 20 credits
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Natural Hazard Management – 20 credits
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Add+vantage - 10 credits
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Quaternary Climate and Environmental Change – 20 credits
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GeoInformatics – 20 credits
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Savage Earth – 20 credits
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Building Resilient Communities – 20 credits
