Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• to provide students with an intellectually-stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in both geography and economics;
• to provide students with the opportunity to study a broad curriculum in both human and physical geography and in economics;
• to achieve, through the student learning process, a progressive improvement in academic performance over the degree programme;
• to enhance students’ career and employment prospects on graduating by developing a range of transferable skills embedded in the programme.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Benchmark Statements for Geography and Economics

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the potential applications of concepts within a broader critical framework;
• the main methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of data;
• the idea of academic disciplines as dynamic, plural and contested; developed within the broader frameworks of the sciences and humanities;

and within the Geography portion of the programme:

• a range of environments, in the broadest sense, of environmental processes and the impacts of these processes on human activities and vice versa;
• the ways in which representations and interpretations of the world are socially-constructed, and the forms of geographical difference;

• the determinants of temporal and spatial variation in the physical, social, economic and political worlds;  and the significance of spatial and temporal scale on physical processes, human processes and on their interactions;
• past patterns of environmental and social changes, and of the processes and conditions that have determined those changes, and the implications for the future;

and within the Economics portion of the programme:

• demonstrate the attributes of a graduate in terms of possessing transferable skills, and the ability to analyse fact and opinion based on the evaluation of evidence;
• communicate knowledge and analysis in an effective and objective manner;
• analyse issues of economic theory and policy using up-to-date models and techniques.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1. Develop a reflexive approach to learning.
2. Abstract and synthesise information.
3. Assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and arguments.
4. Critically evaluate and interpret a range of evidence, including data and text.
5. Undertake problem-solving and decision-making.
6. Develop a reasoned argument.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

1. Combine and interpret different types of evidence including data and text.

2. Recognise and critically debate moral and ethical issues underpinning particular debates or enquiries.

3. Employ a range of survey skills for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and to use appropriate methods for the analysis of these data.

4. Design and execute a piece of research and produce a report.

Additionally, within the Geography portion of the programme

5. Prepare effective maps and diagrams using a range of appropriate technologies.

6. Undertake safe and effective field and laboratory work.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should show competence in:

1. Verbal and written communication skills.
2. Numeracy and computational skills.
3. Field and laboratory skills.
4. Spatial awareness and observational skills.
5. IT and information handling and retrieval.
6. Independent study and group work.
7. Time management.

4. Programme structure

Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.  Individual modules taught and assessed over both semesters with a modular weight of 10 may count against either semester 1 or semester 2, depending on the balance of other modular weights between semesters.  Where the modular weight of a module taught and assessed over both semesters is 20, this shall be split equally between semesters.

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                        (total modular weight 50)

Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                        (total modular weight 30)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a modular weight of 10 from optional Geography modules.

Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULE                          (total modular weight 30)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

STUDENTS ENTERING BEFORE 2014/15:

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)        COMPULSORY MODULES        (total modular weight 40)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 80 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2, of which at least 40 must be from Group 1.  Fieldcourse modules GYB328 and GYB901 in Group 2 are mutually exclusive.  Geography modules listed are the same for pre-2014/15 & 2014/15 entry students.

STUDENTS ENTERING 2014/15 & BEYOND:

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 80 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2, of which at least 40 must be from Group 1.  Fieldcourse modules GYB328 and GYB901 in Group 2 are mutually exclusive.  For students entering from 2014/15 and beyond - in addition, candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 40 from Economics modules over semesters 1 and 2.

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

4.3       Part I

Four-year programme - During the year abroad, candidates may undertake either (i) an approved overseas placement as specified by, and subject to the approval of, the Department of Geography (GYI002); or (ii) an approved programme of study abroad as specified by, and subject to the approval of, the Department of Geography (GYI003).

Alternatively, candidates entering from 2014/15 on the 4-year programme undertaking professional training via an approved industrial/work placement will be registered on GYI004.

4.4       Part C - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose 40 modular weights from Economics modules over semesters 1 and 2 from remaining modules of the same title, not taken at Part B.  In addition, candidates must choose 80 modular weights from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2.  GYC400 and GYC401 (instances 1 & 2) are mutually exclusive, as are fieldcourse modules GYC308, GYC903 and GYC908. 

The modular weight of GYC400 may be split between semesters in the ratio of either 20:10 or 10:20 depending on the balance of other modular weights selected.

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

In accordance with Regulation XI, a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed GYI002 or GYI004 in the programme of study required for Part I.

In accordance with Regulation XI, a Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed GYI003 in the programme of study required for Part I.

Subject to the exception specified below, provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP). 

Candidates who have accumulated fewer than 60 credits in any Part of the programme may not undergo re-assessment in the University’s SAP.  Re-assessment in the SAP will also not be available for certain modules and this is indicated in individual module specifications.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.