Geography with Remote Sensing and GIS BSc(Hons)

Course structure

On this integrated course you combine  studies in geography and geoinformatics.

You’ll develop your understanding of the physical forces of landscape change, human interaction with the environment and socially divergent views of the world. 

For the geoinformatic element you’ll learn the principles of GIS gaining a comprehensive understanding of data collection, storage, analysis and display.

You have the option to enrol on this course part-time, giving you more flexibility in the way you choose to study.

Year 1

In your first year you will build a strong foundation in both physical and human geography and learn the basic tools of geoinformatic analysis. You will learn field techniques through fieldwork.

Modules

• Fundamentals of Physical Geography

  This module provides a theoretical and practical introduction to azonal (tectonic, climatic, hydrological, fluvial, coastal, slope, aeolian, and biogeographical) and zonal (glacial and periglacial) physical geographical systems. You will examine the ways in which these systems interact with and influence human activities, both at the present day and over archaeological timescales.

• Global Environmental Challenges

  This module introduces pressing global environmental challenges which you'll explore through natural science and social science case studies. The module focuses on scientific, social, economic and political aspects of current and past environmental issues and examines how some of the issues may be addressed through interdisciplinary management and mitigation.

• Human Geography

  This module provides a critical introduction to key themes in human geography. You will develop an appreciation of geographical concepts such as nature, space, place and scale through consideration of geographies of global political-economic change, past and contemporary cultural geographies and geographical imaginations, and social geographies of everyday life.

• Academic Learning and Field Skills

  This module will introduce you to academic study skills, fieldwork skills and transferable skills for geography and environmental sciences. The module will support you in how to learn at university, and in particular, with learning independently. You'll also take part in a residential field course where you will learn field data collection and analysis techniques, methodology design and how to present research findings.

• Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis

  This module will introduce you to a variety of techniques utilised in both the academic and professional world for the analysis of geographical and environmental data. Emphasis is placed on developing skills and abilities to graphically/visually display data and assess patterns/relationships through statistical testing, and geospatial display and analysis. The module will introduce you to and allow you to become a competent user of statistical software.

• Land and Construction Surveying

  This module will introduce you to the equipment and methods used in both land and construction engineering surveying. The module will provide you with a thorough grounding in both the theoretical and practical aspects of surveying and covers a range of surveying topics from basic measurement of heights, distances and angles, to setting out coordinate positions on site. As a result of the nature of the content, there is a focus on practical skills with much of the delivery taking place in a practical setting.

Year 2

In your second year you'll find a greater emphasis on research skills, fieldwork, applied GIS and remote sensing while you build on the skills and techniques you learned in your first year.

Modules

• GIS and Remote Sensing Principles and Practice
• Professional Practice for Global Challenges
• Research and Field Skills

Options*

• Earth Surface Processes
• Ice Age Earth
• Humans Origins and Evolution
• Prehistoric and Ancient Societies
• Environment Pollution 
• Climate Change
• Sustainable Futures
• Critical Digital Geographies
• Social Justice in Everyday Spaces

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

A placement year offers you a great opportunity to:

• build knowledge of real-world businesses and organisations;
• develop existing skills and discover new ones;
• make contacts in industry and commerce;
• increase your confidence; and
• improve your time management.

In recent years, our students have been successful in competing for nationally advertised positions with the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Transport for London and the Field Studies Council.

Other students have secured placements with environmental firms and consultancies, a multi-national telecommunications company and a renewable energy research centre in Spain.

Final year

The focus for your final year is your independent dissertation. Working closely with our researchers you will investigate a topic of your choice, applying the research methods and analytical skills you have developed.

Option modules enable you to tailor your studies to support your dissertation and your future career aspirations.

You'll also have the opportunity of fieldwork in Brazil.

Modules

• Dissertation
• Applications in GIS
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

Options*

• Rivers, Coasts and Wetlands: Assessment and Management
• Humans of Ice Age Britain 
• Dynamic Landscapes
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• The Frozen Planet
• Water, Sanitation and Health
• Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
• Waste Management and the Circular Economy
• Geographies of Genders and Sexualities
• Political Ecology: Contested Environments
• Confronting Coloniality and Racism: Political geographies of territory and security
• Community Engagement
• Research Field Skills, Brazil

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Meet the team

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,410 for UK students and £2,180 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

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