Geography
The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever done before. Geography explains why, and helps to prepare you for those changes. The transferable skills which geography fosters are an asset in the complex world of employment today. Geography is about the future and encourages flexible thinking, providing a firm basis for life-long learning. Compared to other subjects, Geography graduates are among the most employable. In part this is because the subject combines a knowledge of science and an understanding of the arts.
What is it about?
Our Natural World:
The first part of this unit investigates the challenges of natural hazards; our hazardous Earth is studied including our changing climate, tectonic hazards and weather hazards and their impacts. The second part of this unit examines physical landscapes in the UK including our coast and river landscapes. The final part considers our living world including studying our vast biodiversity and how we can sustain our precious ecosystems, for example our rainforests.
Challenges in the Human Environment:
This unit focusses on the study of people and society. In the first section of this unit, urban issues and challenges facing our changing cities are investigated. Following on from this, our changing economic world is examined, looking at global development and how it affects societies. Finally, resource management provides an opportunity to consider our resource resilience in terms of future energy supplies.
What sort of work is done?
Class work, computer research and field work. Extended learning is set regularly and includes additional case study research.
How is it examined?
There are three examinations at the end of the GCSE course. Examinations test knowledge and understanding of topics studied, and geographical skills including decision making and field work skills.
How important is coursework?
Two educational visits are undertaken to carry out fieldwork and collect primary data. A report is produced where primary data and additional secondary research is described, analysed and interpreted, conclusions are reached and evaluated. An examination will assess all of the skills used to complete this unit of work.
What qualification will I get? What could it lead to?
- AQA GCSE (9-1) in Geography
From this you might go on to study ‘A’ Level Geography, Environmental Science or Geology, or go on to complete a Level 2/3 course in Travel and Tourism.
Career directions could include:
Seismologist, geophysicist, oceanographer, climatologist, geophysical engineer, researcher, volcanologist, hydrologist, marketing, teaching, planning and surveying, journalism and media, demographer, administration, leisure and tourism, conservation and environmental.
Useful links:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035 - Specification and sample assessments
https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/examspecs/zy3ptyc - BBC revision material and tests
http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/ - Useful revision site
