BSc (Hons) Geography with GIS and Data Science

GEES1101
Culture, Society and Space 20 credits

What do human geographers do, and how does human geography help us understand the world? This module tackles this question by examining the important role human geographers plays in confronting and resolving global societal challenges. Through a mix of practical and conceptual training, students will investigate societal issues using cutting edge technologies, such as virtual reality, urban fieldwork and GIS mapping.

GEES1102
People and Place 20 credits

Places matter! Places locate us on the planet; they are where we live our lives; and they are imagined, used and contested in different ways. Drawing on local fieldwork and a fascinating range of lecture topics, learn why places are important to people and the study of geography. Studying local, national and international issues, you will develop observational skills and new ways of thinking about the world around you.

GEES1103
Glaciers, Deserts and Climate Change 20 credits

Deserts are expanding. The Arctic is melting. The 21st Century is a time of extraordinary transition. Here we show you why. We journey back in time to explore how and why climate has changed over thousands of years. We examine why cold places have such remarkable features and what they can tell us. We delve into the drivers of our driest environments. We ask what agency humans have had in these places and since when.

GEES1104
Water, Landscapes and Environmental Management 20 credits

Here we begin our overview of contemporary physical geography. The module is structured around key themes that are prominent in geographical thinking about the environment. Lectures provide a framework for understanding these themes, and through fieldwork and supporting laboratory classes we explore examples of their local manifestation using quantitative data, graphic and spatial statistical analysis.

GEES1105
Sustainable Futures 20 credits

Explore critical global sustainability challenges and solutions at local, national and international scales. Learn about core sustainability principles and their application to energy, biodiversity, land management, marine, travel, and personal behaviour. Sustainability sector experts share their experience, and students develop knowledge and teamwork skills through a tutor-supported group research project.

GEES1106
Our Digital Planet 20 credits

Explore the biggest challenges facing our planet today and discover how data analysis and visualisation can drive real-world solutions. You will be introduced to data analysis, GIS, and cartographic techniques through engaging, hands-on examples. You will develop essential skills while tackling pressing issues. You will receive personalised support from your tutor to help you excel at university-level study.

GEES2106
Principles and Applications of Geography 1 20 credits

In this module students learn about and critically reflect upon various approaches to the production of geographical knowledge, and the different ways and contexts in which this knowledge is applied. The module develops students’ awareness of the place and importance of geographical research in preparation for dissertation study and fieldwork modules and identifies links between geographical research and employability.

GEES2107
Principles and Applications of Geography 2 20 credits

Students learn about, practise and critically reflect upon different research methods and techniques in the production of geographical knowledge. The module refines students’ awareness of the place and importance of geographical research in preparation for dissertation study and fieldwork modules, and its links to employability. Tutorials are provided for additional, small group discussion of issues arising.

GEES2108
Geographical Information Systems 20 credits

Module provides grounding in theory and practical techniques of GIS. Lectures are on theory, methods and spatial literacy. Practical work covers stages of handling geospatial data, construction of GIS models and automation, provides exposure to a range of techniques in spatial analysis and visualisation, and gives context and experience to spatial literacy concepts. Knowledge and skills are developed in project work.

GEES2110
Remote Sensing of the Environment 20 credits

The module provides a grounding in the theory and application of Remote Sensing (RS) of the environment. Considering scales from global satellite-borne observations to the use of drones, the module provides the theoretical understanding necessary to critically apply RS data to real-world problems. Practical work develops skills with industry-standard software to analyse and apply various RS data.

GEES2102
Transport, Travel and Mobilities 20 credits

We establish a framework for investigating how and why people move, and why this is important. After focusing on the politics and policy of mobility, we consider people’s everyday mobilities (such as walking, cycling and commuting) and uses of travel time, socialities and embodied encounters. We look at the mobility of specific groups, in particular domestic and international students, within their everyday communities.

GEES2103
Urban Planning, Design and Security 20 credits

Planning, design and security increasingly play a crucial part in developing and managing relationships between people and the built environment and in shaping the geographies of urban places. This module provides a critical understanding of the evolution and operation of urban planning, design and security across a range of global contexts.

GEES2104
Quaternary to Anthropocene 20 credits

The Earth has undergone significant and fundamental changes during our current interglacial period (the last ~12,000 years), to the point of a new Geological epoch being suggested: the Anthropocene. This module focusses on deepening students’ understanding of how our planet has moved from one that was nature-dominated to the current culture-dominated environment we inhabit, at both local, continental and global scales.

GEES2105
Catchment and River Processes 20 credits

Practically all human-environment interactions take place within river catchments and the coastal zone. To address key environmental challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change and sustainable resource management, we need to understand how these integrated systems function. This module provides the process knowledge required to contribute to global and local debates, and includes field and laboratory work.

GEES2109
Fieldwork in Geography 20 credits

This module enhances students' knowledge and understanding of geographical patterns and processes in the field environment, using appropriate research techniques. Parallel fieldtrips are run to overseas destinations, to a comparable academic format.

GEES2305
Weather and Climate 20 credits

Understanding weather and climate is essential for developing in-depth knowledge on how climate is changing today and will change in the future. This module will develop intellectual and practical skills in critical analysis of weather and climate data. In addition, an examination of the scientific evidence for current and predicted effects of weather and climate will be addressed.

GEES3000
Placement 0 credits

This module is a placement position, where a student undertakes a programme of work within a host company or organisation. The placement occurs within a yearlong period, meeting minimum duration requirements. Students experience applying their degree, experience professional practice, develop enhanced subject-related knowledge and skills, and undergo personal-professional development.

GEES3108
Dissertation in Geography 40 credits

Students undertake a major piece of independent, investigative research into a geographical issue of their choice and report on this in a dissertation of ca.12,000 words. The report should establish the wider academic context for the investigation and demonstrate originality and the effective application of intellectual, subject-specific and key skills.

GEES3109
Big Data & Spatial Analytics 20 credits

This module provides an overview of advanced spatial analysis concepts and facilitates practice of data processing and management skills. Data manipulation through programming is introduced and the concept of big data is presented. Themes and practice around the acquisition, processing, analysis, visualisation and application of big data are explored, drawing on examples from across the natural and social sciences.

GEES3001
Work Based Learning in Geography and Sustainability 20 credits

This module provides an opportunity for students to experience professional practice in environmental management and sustainability. Students will undertake a minimum of 100 hours service with a professional organisation (private, public or third sector). You will investigate the organisation's practice in environmental management and sustainability and further develop professional attitudes and behaviours.

GEES3002
Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential 20 credits

Students embark on novel exploration of critical, real-world challenges in a field context. After exploring key themes, they collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to tackle a core issue through a research project of their own creation. This hands-on experience will sharpen existing expertise and develop transdisciplinary skills, preparing them to face career challenges beyond university with confidence and innovation.

GEES3101
Sustainable Cities 20 credits

The aim of the module is to explore the challenges of sustainable urban growth in contemporary cities, in the UK and internationally. A key focus is understanding how spatial planning and urban governance can tackle sustainable development and climate change challenges in an increasingly urban world. Using geographical concepts, these issues will be explored through case studies and good practice from a range of cities.

GEES3104
Environmental Politics and Governance 20 credits

This module explores the main concepts and forces shaping environmental politics and governance. It examines how science, ethics, interests and power influence environmental debate and decision-making, using case studies of climate change, energy, deforestation, air pollution, marine protection and Antarctica to interrogate how governments and other actors have strived to address global to local environmental challenges.

GEES3105
Dryland Change 20 credits

Drylands comprise 47% of the world’s land surface and are home to > 2 billion people. They are highly susceptible to environmental change (human, climate, tectonic), and preserve archives of that change over human to Quaternary timescales. This module builds expertise in reading the geomorphological record of drylands (process and landform), and examines the challenges of living sustainably with these dynamic landscapes.

GEES3106
Long-term Environmental Change 20 credits

Society is dependent on the environment for sustaining life as we currently know it. This module takes a series of environmental challenges and places them in a long-term perspective to place current disruptions in a longer-term context. The module focusses on how we can learn lessons from the past to manage our current and future environment.

GEES3107
Contemporary Arctic and Alpine Challenges 20 credits

High latitudes and altitudes are warming faster than many other regions of the world. This module takes a contemporary, and forward looking, perspective on the grand challenges that impact the resilience of these landscapes and societies in present and future climates and their associated hazards. Students will learn practical skills to quantify environmental pressures and critically evaluate mitigation strategies.

GEES3309
Biological Conservation 20 credits

This module examines the pursuit of biological conservation. Drawing on a wide range of case study material, in temperate and tropical, terrestrial and aqueous environments, the module examines the drivers and rationales for biological conservation, and the role of stakeholders, policies, legislation and practices in achieving it.