BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OR ARTS
specialising in
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Approximate full-time load of 24 credit points per year for three years.
Programs of Study: PHG01 and PHG02
Interested in:
Environmental Management?
Hydrological and Meteorological studies?
Soil Conservation?
Physical Geographers try to understand how the Earth works and how humans interact with the Earth. They are interested in resources, environments and management processes as well as landforms, soils, climate, global and regional climate change, ocean processes, air and water pollution, soil erosion, land degradation and natural hazards. There is a wide variety of career opportunities for Physical Geography graduates including environmental management, land, resource, riverine and coastal management, teaching, journalism, broadcasting and academic research.
Recommended Units of Study
Recommended Units of Study
First Year
Core Unit: GEOS117 Biophysical Environments.
Highly Recommended Units: GEOS112 The Planet Earth and/or GEOS118 Foundations for Resource and Environmental Management (formerly GEOS114)
Recommended Units - at least three units from : 100-level GEOS, BIOL, CBMS, COMP, ISYS, MATH, PHYS, STAT
Second Year
Recommended Units - at least one of: GEOS216 The Atmospheric Environment,
GEOS266 Earth Surface Processes with additional unit/s from: GEOS214 Climatic Impacts,
GEOS216 The Atmospheric Environment, GEOS237 Natural Hazards, GEOS264 Geographic Information Systems,
GEOS266 Earth Surface Processes, GEOS267 Resource and Environmental Management Issues and Solutions (formerly GEOS265) and/or BIOL227, PHYS220
Third Year
Recommended Units - three units from the following with at least one from:
GEOS301 Global Climates, GEOS313 Advanced Atmospheric and Oceanographic Science
GEOS325 Applied Climatology, GEOS317 Advanced Geoecology,
GEOS334 Fluvial Geomorphology and River Management (new unit from 2008)
GEOS398 Applied Geomorphology, GEOS399 Soils and at least one from
GEOS328 Environmental Management, GEOS382 Environmental Analysis Using GIS.
BSc students must achieve a minimum of 34 credit points in designated science units above 100 level and a minimum of 18 credit points in designated science units above 200 level. Refer to the undergraduate handbook for details of designated science units.
All students in Physical Geography are recommended to take a diverse first year program to allow them to make their best choices in subsequent years. These notes are only intended as a guide, and potential students should read the Undergraduate Handbook and unit descriptions for details.
Honours and Postgraduate Study
You can pursue further study in Physical Geography either by undertaking an Honours year at the end of your Bachelors degree or a postgraduate Masters degree. Both of these are valued by employers for the extra knowledge, practical skills and research skills they bring.
The Honours year involves a single, year-long research project in conjunction with one of the lecturers who agrees to act as your supervisor. The topic is agreed between you and the supervisor in advance. On completion, you qualify for the Bachelor of XXXX (any degree) with Honours. Entry to Honours is restricted to students with a Grade Point Average (GPA) higher than 2.5.
A Masters degree (typically Master of Science with Honours) is a 2 year (full-time) research degree on a topic determined by you and a lecturer who agrees to act as your supervisor. Entry is by application, with an initial 6 month qualification period.
Related areas of study
Resource and Environmental Management
Environmental Science
Geoecology
Atmospheric Science
GIS (Geographic Information Science)
Biology
Ecology
Geology, Geophysics and Exploration Geoscience
Environmental Geology
Human Geography
Natural History, Cultural and Museum Studies
Prior Knowledge
There is no essential prior knowledge for this area of study. A background, or interest in, geography, science (including Earth and Environmental Science) or environmental science may be helpful but these areas can be studied in first year.
How to apply
Application for all degrees for school leavers is through the UAC. Non-award and non-degree applications are made directly to the University. Mature-age students (21 years or over, without the necessary academic qualifications for UAC admission) may apply directly to the University through the Jubilee Scheme. Please contact the Centre for Open Education via e-mail at coe@mq.edu.au or by phone on +61 2 9850 7470 for further information on these schemes.
You can apply for one of several degrees:
2005 UAI cut-offs for relevant degrees (for guidance only):
BA 76
BSc 73
BEnvSc 76.65
BEnvMgt 74.55
BSc DipEd 74.40
BMarSc 75.55
Contacts
For further information on studying Physical Geography, please contact:
The Administrative Officer, Physical Geography
Office: Building E7A, Room 617
Phone: (02) 9850 8426
Fax: (02) 9850 8420
E-mail: pg_admin@els.mq.edu.au