Bachelor of Science (Geography major)
Overview
Bachelor of Science – Geography is offered from the Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses. The primary purpose of the Geography major is to study the Earth’s physical and human systems, their interactions, and the spatial relationships between them. It aims to understand the Earth’s diverse environments, places, and spaces, and how they have changed over time.
SAQA
84728
NQF LEVEL
07
DURATION
3 Years
CAO CODE
KN-P-BG4
KN-W-BG4
CLOSING DATE
30 September
DISCIPLINE
Entry Requirements
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) – Degree (Pass).
- APS score of no fewer than 28 points.
- Mathematics at Level 4 and Physical Science, Life Science or Agricultural Science at Level 4.
Modules
Semester 1
- Biophysical Environments of Southern Africa – ENVS210 (16 Credits)
Pietermaritzburg Campus
At least 16 credits from the second major and the remaining 32 credits from:
- Agrometeorology & Environmental Biophysics – AMET210 (16 Credits)
- Introduction to Soils & the Environment – SSCI217 (16 Credits)
- Introduction to Physical Hydrology – HYDR210 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
At least 16 credits from the second major and the remaining 32 credits from:
- Plant and Animal Ecophysiology – BIOL204 (16 Credits)
- Cytology and Cellular Biology – BIOL234 (16 Credits)
- Inorganic Chemistry – CHEM210 (16 Credits)
- Organic Chemistry – CHEM220 (16 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits.
Semester 2
- Geographic Information Systems – ENVS211 (16 Credits)
- Geographies of Urban and Rural Change – GEOG220 (16 Credits)
Pietermaritzburg Campus
At least 16 credits from the second major and the remaining 16 credits from:
- Environmental Aspects of Hydrology – HYDR220 (16 Credits)
- Environmental Instruments: Life/Earth Sciences – AMET212 (16 Credits)
- Pedology – SSCI230 (16 Credits)
- Soil Biology and Biochemistry – SSCI260 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
At least 16 credits from the second major and the remaining 16 credits from:
- Vertebrate Biology and Ecology – BIOL210 (16 Credits)
- Angiosperm Evolution and Diversification – BIOL212 (16 Credits)
- Marine Environment – BIOL231 (16 Credits)
- Physical Chemistry – CHEM230 (16 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits.
Semester 1
- General Principles of Chemistry – CHEM110 (16 Credits)
- Human Environments – GEOG110 (16 Credits)
- Mathematics for Natural Sciences – MATH150 (16 Credits)
Pietermaritzburg Campus
- The Smaller Side of Life – BIOL101 (16 Credits)
OR
- Intro Physics for Life Sciences & Agriculture – PHYS131 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
16 credits from:
- The Smaller Side of Life – BIOL101 (16 Credits)
- Intro Physics for Life Sciences & Agriculture – PHYS131 (16 Credits)
- Earth and its Materials – GEOL101 (16 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits.
Semester 2
- Environmental Systems 120 – ENVS120 (16 Credits)
- Introduction to Statistics – STAT130 (16 Credits)
Pietermaritzburg Campus
Electives 32 Credits from:
- Life on Earth – BIOL102 (16 Credits)
- Chemical Reactivity – CHEM120 (16 Credits)
- Computing for Natural Scientists – COMP106 (16 Credits)
- Modern Physics for Life Sciences & Agric – PHYS133 (16 Credits)
- Further Mathematics for Natural Sciences – MATH143 (16 Credits)
- Basic IsiZulu Language Studies A – ZULN101 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
32 credits from:
- Life on Earth – BIOL102 (16 Credits)
- Earth’s Surface Processes – GEOL102 (16 Credits)
- Chemical Reactivity – CHEM120 (16 Credits)
- Computing for Natural Scientists – COMP106 (16 Credits)
- Further Topics in Mathematics – MATH145 (16 Credits)
- Electromagnetism & Modern Phys for Life Sc – PHYS132 (16 Credits)
- Basic IsiZulu Language Studies A – ZULN101 (16 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits.
Semester 1
Pietermaritzburg Campus
32 credits from:
- Biogeography and Climatic Change – ENVS314 (16 Credits)
- Soil Erosion and Land Degradation – ENVS315 (16 Credits)
- GIS and Remote Sensing – ENVS316 (16 Credits)
- Land Issues and Rural Development in SA – GEOG314 (16 Credits)
- Atmospheric Science – ENVS318 (16 Credits)
32 credits to come from second major
Westville Campus
32 credits from:
- Soil Erosion and Land Degradation – ENVS315 (16 Credits)
- GIS and Remote Sensing – ENVS316 (16 Credits)
32 credits to come from second major
Total Credits: 64 Credits.
Semester 2
Pietermaritzburg Campus
32 credits from:
- Global Environmental Change – ENVS319 (16 Credits)
- Environmental Management – ENVS322 (16 Credits)
- Political Ecology – GEOG320 (16 Credits)
OR
- Sustainable Cities and Development – GEOG330 (16 Credits)
32 credits to come from second major
Westville Campus
32 credits from:
- Biogeography and Climatic Change – ENVS314 (16 Credits)
- Environmental Management – ENVS322 (16 Credits)
- Research in the Environmental Sciences – ENVS390 (16 Credits)
- Sustainable Cities and Development – GEOG330 (Howard College) (16 Credits)
32 credits to come from second major
Total Credits: 64 Credits.
What do they actually do?
Geography has a long tradition of interest in the complex relationships between people and the world in which they live. Its focus is the study of the spatial and temporal distribution of elements of our natural environment (climate, drainage systems, etc.) and of aspects of the human occupancy of the earth (social, economic and political).
Geographers make use of maps and global positioning systems in their work.
Areas of Employment
• Local government & municipalities
• Research organisations & institutes
• Water Boards
• Department of Agriculture, Land
Reform & Rural Development
• Department of Environmental Affairs,
Forestry & Fisheries
• Farmers’ associations
• Land & aerial survey companies
• Mapping & surveying companies
• NGOs
• Conservation organisations
• Forestry industry
• Mines
• Consultancy companies
• Weather services
• Construction & engineering companies
• Technology companies
• Utility & energy companies
• Space agencies
• Environmental education
• Self-employment
Apply today and take the next step toward your future.