BSc Hons Geography

GEOGRAPHY HONOURS

GEOG400 / GIS400: Geography Honours Main Course

A two pronged Honours programme will be on offer. This will comprise a BSc Honours in Geography and BSc Honours in Geographic Information Systems. The former programme consists of 5 modules - Four compulsory modules and one elective, while the latter comprises four modules.

Requirements: BSc / BA degree majoring in Geography; at least 60% for GEOG300, its equivalent or permission by the Head of Department for students from other backgrounds who wish to offer GIS400. Students with a lower mark than 60% could be considered provided other criteria such as completion of the degree within the minimum prescribed period are met.

BSC HONOURS IN GEOGRAPHY

The programme will consist of the following compulsory modules:

GEN411: (Replacing GEO402) RESEARCH PROJECT (24 credits)

Generally accepted steps in the research process: methodology, data presentation and analysis.

GEN402: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES (24 credits)

The structure, composition and functioning of the environment as a system, environmental management, environmental auditing, environmental law and politics, environmental education.

GEN404: APPLIED PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (24 credits)

Land degradation studies, with a particular focus on soil erosion and vegetation degradation, Riparian environments, artificial drainage impacts, Hillslope processes, Process modelling using GIS, TOPMODEL.

GEN405: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (24 credits)

Basic GIS concepts, data input, spatial data and database management, spatial and non-spatial data analysis and modelling, GIS output, application of GIS in environmental and sustainable development, applied practical project using GIS software.

Electives:

GEN401: HUMAN ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION (24 credits)

Cultural diversity in relation to Environmental utilization, human induced environmental problems – desertification, deforestation, weather modification and global warming, energy and resource exploitation, pollution, population explosion, poverty and famine, waste, acid rain and ozone.

GEN406: ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY (24 credits)

Development and the third world, rural and agricultural development, approaches to industrial development, service, resources and development, the informal sector.

GEN407: SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY (24 credits)

Processes and experiences of urbanisation, planning strategies, residential segregation and desegregation, rural land reform, regionalisation and regional planning..

GEO406: URBAN GEOGRAPHY (24 credits)

Analysis of inter- and Intra- urban functions and spatial patterns, application of selected techniques of urban analysis, and discussion of selected topics on intra-urban functional changes and problems.

BSC HONOURS IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

GIS411: CARTOGRAPHY (30 credits)

Introduction to modern cartography, map data acquisition, cartographic design and the communication channel, map projections, coordinate systems and datums.

GIS413: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (30 credits)

Spatial collection of data, georeferenced data transformation, management and manipulation, theory and practice: national, provincial and local systems in South Africa.

GIS412: REMOTE SENSING: (30 credits)

Remote Sensing systems, photogrammetry and air photograph interpretation, satellite data, its manipulation and interpretation, applications.

GIS414: RESEARCH PROJECT: (30 credits)

Research project based on the application of GIS or Remote Sensing.