Course details

Summary

The study of Geography is exciting, challenging and relevant to today's world. Geographers study the natural processes of the physical environment, as well as the activities and consequences of humans in this environment. Some geographers specialize in coastal, glacial or fluvial processes and landforms, climatology, biogeography, hydrology or environmental change. Others study regional economics, population change, the problems of rural or urban areas, or the experience of particular groups such as Maori. Still others, specializing in spatial analysis, bring the power of geographic information science to bear on a wide range of research problems. Increasingly, these varied interests are coming together in the study of environmental problems and Geographers lead the way in resource management.

By studying geography at the School of Environment you will learn:

• Effective research techniques through field work
• Demographic and economic analysis
• Physical landscape interpretation and landform reconstruction
• Cultural landscape interpretation
• Weather, wave, tide and river monitoring and analysis
• GPS field mapping of landforms and air photo analysis
• Mapping and analysing information using GIS
• Cartography and geo-visualization
• Understanding of cultural ideas about the environment
• Laboratory analysis of soils and sediments
• Spatial data analysis
• Theory relevant to changing social organizations and cities, and current issues

Undergraduate Geography teaches valuable skills such as spatial data analysis and geographical information systems, landform and hydrological interpretation, introduction to population and economic statistics, computing skills, field skills and ethics. Geography demands good analytical and reporting skills, and our students apply their training in real world situations. All Geography majors take part in field courses that involve several days in the field away from Auckland. These are a popular feature of studies in Geography.

Career opportunities

A Geography degree is more than a passport to a wide range of careers; it gives graduates an edge in their careers. Some use their training directly in the workplace, while others find that the broad education and flexible skills developed in Geography are highly demanded in the job market.

Crown Research Institutes and other research organizations employ geographers as environmental scientists. These institutions include NIWA, Land care and the Forest Research Institute, as well as environmental consultancies, and regional and district councils throughout New Zealand. Increasingly, geography graduates are being hired for their GIS training by forestry companies, environmental engineers, and government agencies.

Geography training emphasizes the broad analytical and communication skills that are much sought after by central and local government authorities.

Further study options

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSci)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Structure

Single or first major must include:

At least 45 points from GEOG 101, 102, 202, either 261 or 262

15 points: GEOG 250

15 points from GEOG 315, 330

At least 45 further points from GEOG 302–362

Second major must include:

At least 45 points from GEOG 101, 102, 202, either 261 or 262

15 points: GEOG 250

15 points from GEOG 315, 330

At least 30 further points from GEOG 302–362

Entry criteria

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24. General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.0; TOEFL (iBT) 80; TOEFL (paper-based) 550; CAE or CPE 169; PTE 50; MELAB 80.