Geography AS/A2

Geography is one of those richly comprehensive subjects, whose relevance is all around us...  More than ever we need the geographer’s skills and foresight to help us learn about our planet — how we use it and how we abuse it.’  Michael Palin

Course Outline
4 units — 2 for AS level and 2 for A2 level:

AS Level

Unit 1 – Core Concepts in Physical Geography

• Rivers, floods and management — the study of river systems and regimes.
• Cold Environments – polar, alpine, glacial and periglacial; their distribution, processes, landscape, development and exploitation.

Unit 1 – Core Concepts in Human Geography

• Global Population Change — Population Indicators, change, migration and structure. Social, economic and political implications of population change.
• Health Issues – global patterns of health; health in world affairs. Food and Health. Factors affecting regional variations in the UK.

Unit 2 – Applied Geography

Skill include – basic; investigative; ICT; graphical; cartographic; statistical.

AS Exams

• Unit 1 Physical and Human Geography – 2hrs; 70% of total AS marks
• Unit 2 Skills and Fieldwork – 1hr.; 30% of total AS Marks

A Level

Unit 3 – Contemporary Geographical Issues

• Plate Tectonics and associated hazards – volcanic activity and earthquakes. The management of hazards and responses to the events.
• Weather, climate and associated hazards – major climate controls; climate of the UK and one tropical region; Hurricanes; Urban climates. Global climate change.
• World Cities - Contemporary urban processes, Urban Decline and regeneration, Retailing and services, Issues in Urban Areas.

Unit 4 – Geography Fieldwork Investigation. Exam assessed.

A2 Exams

• Unit 3 – Contemporary Geographical Issues – 2.5hrs, 60% of A2 marks
• Unit 4 – Fieldwork Investigation:1.5hrs, 40% of A2 marks