Geography

Courses

Geography is offered as part of:

Why study Geography?

Geography studies the environments that support us and the places in which we live, work and recreate. Geographers examine the economic, social and political processes that affect these environments and places, they study the interconnections between people, environments and places, and they are involved in the management of environmental resources and the planning of localities and regions.

Geographers have the skills to analyse wide range of information and knowledge in the search for understanding of our world. For example, geographers study and help to shape policy about people's well-being in particular places; processes that create and transform the biophysical environment; the nature and consequences of changes in global and national economies; changes in the physical, economic and social structure of cities and rural areas; and migration patterns between regions and cities.

As Geography's breadth of inquiry suggests, students develop an extensive range of widely applicable skills and abilities. These include critical and constructive thinking, information collection (including field work), numerical and graphical skills in data analysis and presentation (including computer-based skills), and written and verbal presentation of information and arguments.

The School of Geography, Population and Environmental Management has a proud tradition of excellence in teaching and research.

Many of those students who enrol in first year topics find Geography so interesting, relevant and engaging that they go on to major in the subject.

Study overview

First Year Geography comprises two topics: GEOG1001 Water Resources and Society; and GEOG1002 Cities as Human Environments.

GEOG1001 is concerned with the dependence and impact of society on water resources. Particular attention is given to the sustainable management of water resources which looms as a critical and current issue.

GEOG1002 examines the ways in which demographic, economic and social processes shape economic conditions, environmental sustainability and the overall quality of life in modern cities.

First Year Geography has been designed to allow students who have never studied the subject before to undertake it as part of their university program, and no previous study of geography is assumed. Nevertheless, the First Year topics build on the concepts and techniques taught in Senior Secondary School Geography.

Geography combines very well with many other subjects in Social Sciences eg Asian Studies, Environmental Studies, History, Politics, Psychology and Sociology, and in other faculties at Flinders, eg Archaeology, Biology, Computing, Education, Earth Sciences and Law.

It is also an integral part of the Bachelor of Environmental Management program.

In Second and Third Years students can select sequences of topics from a range of areas which reflect the strengths of Geography at Flinders University:

social and urban geography and demography
economic and development geography
environmental geography
computing methods, research methods and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Career opportunities

Geographers find work. Because the study of Geography provides students with a variety of specific, discipline-related skills as well as transferable skills (eg computing, written, oral and graphic communication, statistics) geographers find employment in a diverse range of occupations, in both the public and private sector.

These include positions in overseas development, tourism, real estate, intelligence analysis, urban management, planning, local government, environmental management, teaching, and statistical services.

Further information

Associate Professor Clive Forster, Head, School of Geography, Population and Environmental Management
Room 322, Social Sciences North. Tel: (08) 8201 2308

Secretary. Tel: (08) 8201 2107. Fax: (08) 8201 5111
Email: geography@flinders.edu.au

The Admissions/Prospective Students Office, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001
Tel: (08) 8201 3074 or 1300 657 671 (local call) Fax (08) 8201 2580
Email: admissions@flinders.edu.au