BSc (Hons) Geography with Marine Studies (Full Time)

On this degree you will gain an understanding of the marine environment in order to understand its functioning and its influence upon humanity.Many geography courses focus on the land as the context of study. However, coasts and oceans have always provided humans with a wealth of resources. Whilst the ocean and coast represent over two-thirds of the Earth’s surface area, it is still relatively unstudied. Disturbances in the marine environment have local, national and worldwide consequences and some, such as changes occurring in the oceans due to climate change, are likely to affect future generations.

The course offers you the opportunity to study methods of analysis, such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), which are critical to answering geographical questions.

Industrial focus

The degree emphasises both academic merit and the practical skills and qualities sought by employers. You will participate in a group project related to your potential career and may also undertake optional environmental work-based learning experience.

Course content

Year 1

Six core units:

• Introduction to GIS
• Introduction to Field Studies
• Elements of Human Geography
• Tools of Environmental Analysis
• Physical Environment
• Principles of Environmental Management.

Year 2

Five core units and one option unit:

• Applied GIS
• Field Trip
• Applied Environmental Management
• Oceanography
• Earth Systems.

Options:

• The Lifestyle Project
• Curriculum Plus.

Year 3

Four core units and one option unit:

• Group Project (double unit)
• Global Environmental Change
• Ocean and Coastal Management
• Estuarine Dynamics.

Options:

• Environmental Work-based Learning
• Dissertation.

Why choose Solent?

• Specialist facilities including an environmental laboratory housing environmental monitoring equipment and systems laboratory with computer systems for data management and interpretation
• Residential field trips in the UK and Europe with accommodation (excluding food) and transport funded by the University
• Easy access to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), providing opportunities to obtain practical experience in a wide range of field techniques.

Assessment

Reflective portfolios, log-books, essays, reports, case studies, seminar presentations and end-of-year examinations. The final year includes a dissertation or environmental work-based learning.

Projects/work experience

You will attend two compulsory residential field trips: a five-day field trip in the UK in Year 1 and an intensive seven-day field trip in Europe in Year 2. Previous locations have included Turkey, Malta and the Azores Archipelago.

Key career skills

IT, problem solving, working to deadlines, teamwork and presentation.

The International Foundation Year must be successfully completed before commencing undergraduate study (NQF Level 6 and above). In compliance with UKBA Tier 4 (General Student) policy, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) will initially be issued for the foundation course.

Key info from UNISTATS

You might notice the data is the same in multiple widgets below. That’s because if there isn’t enough data about each version of the course, the data is combined. For more info, visit the Unistats website.