|
|
Geography (GOG) is a six-semester subject which may be taken as a major subject for the degrees of BSc, BA, BJourn and BSocSc.
To major in Geography, a candidate is required to obtain credit in the following courses: EAR 101; GOG 102; GOG 201; GOG 202; GOG 301; and GOG 302. See Rule S.23. At the discretion of the Head of Department students may replace one third level course with an acceptable alternative course deemed to be its equivalent.
Two, or in some cases four, Geography semester-credit courses are allowed as credits for other degree/diploma curricula in the Faculties of Humanities, Commerce and Education.
Geography 1H (Commerce) is a semester-credit course that is allowed for credit in the Faculty of Commerce.
EAR 101 and GOG 102 are pre-requisites for students majoring in Environmental Science (ENV), details of which are given in a separate entry.
Students are expected to participate in Departmental excursions. Costs are kept as low as possible. Fieldwork, to be carried out during one of the vacations, is compulsory in the third year, and in Honours. Students are encouraged to attend the South African Student Geographical Conference, which is held at a different university each year.
See the Departmental Web Page http://www.ru.ac.za/academic/departments/geography/ for further details, particularly on the contents of courses.
Geography 1 consists of two first-year courses, namely Earth Science 101 (jointly taught by the Geography and Geology departments) and Geography 102 (Introduction to Global Development), which are taught normally in the first and second semesters respectively. Students who take both Geography 1 and Geology 1 will have to take an additional semester course in an appropriate subject during the first semester to ensure that they have enough credits for their degree. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two credit course GOG 1, provided that a candidate obtains the required subminimum in each component. However, students wishing to major in Geography must normally obtain credit in both components separately. Supplementary examinations may be recommended in either course, provided that a candidate achieves a minimum standard specified by the Department.
These courses provide a sound foundation for the student majoring in Geography as well as a general course for the student studying Geography for one year. Practical and field work is an integral part of both courses. Students who have not studied Geography at school level are welcome to read Geography.
EAR 101
Introduction to Earth Systems. This course introduces the processes that have shaped the Earth and its environment over both geological and recent time scales. The interrelationships between the earth, the atmosphere and living organisms forms a key theme through the course. No prior background in geology or geography is required.
GOG 102
Introduction to Global Development. This course examines the key political, economic, demographic and cultural forces which have shaped the global development process and assesses the relationship between people, development and environmental resources.
GOG 1H
This course (Commerce) is the same as GOG 102, save that it has no practical component.
There are two independent second-year courses in Geography. GOG 201 is normally held in the first semester and GOG 202 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course GOG 2, provided that a candidate obtains the required subminimum in each component. No supplementary examinations will be offered for either course.
Practical work is an integral part of both courses and is related to the relevant lecture courses and to the development of research techniques.
Normally, credit in EAR 101 or GOG 102 is required before a student may register for GOG 201 or GOG 202 respectively. At the discretion of the Head of Department, students who have only an aggregate credit in GOG 1 may be allowed to register for these courses.
GOG 201
Natural Systems: Processes, Resources and Management. This course examines the main processes operating in the physical environment, and the resulting resource base, with particular reference to South Africa.
GOG 202
Urban and Rural Structures. This course examines the evolution of distinctive urban and rural forms in the core and peripheral regions of the world.
There are two independent third year courses in Geography. GOG 301 is normally held in the first semester and GOG 302 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course GOG 3, provided that a candidate obtains the required subminimum in each component. ECL 301 may be taken as a third-year level Geography credit at the Head of Department's discretion, and is suitable for students wishing to pursue interests in water resources (the Geography Honours course in Environmental Water Management is described below).
Normally, credit in both GOG 201 and GOG 202 is required before a student may register for both components of the third year major course. At the discretion of the Head of Department a student with only an aggregate credit GOG 2 may be allowed to register for GOG 3.
GOG 301
Development in Africa. The aim of this course is to examine the geographical dimensions of global development with particular attention being paid to the ways in which current development problems are being addressed in Africa.
GOG 302
Environment in Africa. The aim of this course is to examine the geographical dimensions of the Earth's environmental processes with particular attention being paid to the ways in which they impinge upon the landscapes of Africa.
Geographical Information Systems are used as a practical tool in both GOG 301 and GOG 302 since the portrayal and analysis of spatial information is central to these courses. Fieldwork is a compulsory component of the practicals.
ECL 301: Applied Environmental Freshwater Studies
This course is offered by the staff of the Institute for Water Research, and is only available to students who have obtained at least 4 semester credits at second year level in the following: Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Entomology, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Ichthyology, Microbiology, Zoology. The course will provide a multi-disciplinary understanding of natural freshwater resources and will integrate biophysical, ecological, geographical and environmental subjects. The theme of the course is the protection and sustainable use of water resources. Major components of the course deal with the structure, processes and functions of inland water ecosystems; physico-chemical processes governing the distribution and abundance of aquatic biota, such as hydrology, geomorphology, and water chemistry; and the implementation and monitoring of sustainable policies and management. Because of physical constraints the Institute reserves the right to limit the number of students taking the course. A compulsory fee (amount to be determined) will be levied to cover field trip and course material costs.In all cases students are required to read four courses, submit a research project and present two seminars during the year.
Geography Honours students are required to take the Philosophy and Methodology course and select three other courses from those normally offered by the staff of the Department: Geographical Information Systems, Fluvial Geomorphology, Quaternary Studies, Land Degradation and Rehabilitation, The Rural Environment, The Geography of Economic Development. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Environmental Water Management students are required to take the Water Resource Management course. They must also select three other courses from those recommended by the Head of Department which normally include: Applied Hydrology, Fluvial Geomorphology, Geohydrology, Ecotoxicology, Aquatic Ecology, Geographical Information Systems. The research project must be water related and approved by the Head of Department. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Landscape Process and Management students are require to take the Philosophy and Methodology course and select three other courses from those recommended by the Head of Department which normally include: Fluvial Geomorphology, Quaternary Studies, Land Degradation and Rehabilitation, Geographical Information Systems. The research project must be landscape related and approved by the Head of Department. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Spatial Development students are required to take the Philosophy and Methodology course and select three other courses from those recommended by the Head of Department which normally include: The Rural Environment, The Geography of Economic Development, Geographical Information Systems. The research project must be development related and approved by the Head of Department. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Parts of the Geography degree may be taken in conjunction with courses in other departments. For example, a student could write one paper in Botany or Economics. Where approximately 50% of a student's courses are examined in another department, a joint degree is awarded (for example, Honours in Geography/Geology). Any combined degree must be agreed to by both Heads of Department concerned, and in the Faculty of Humanities through the Humanities Higher Degree Committee.
BA(Hons) in Development Studies
Each student is required to read four courses, write a dissertation, and present two seminars during the year. At least two of the courses must be chosen from those offered by the Department for the Interdisciplinary Degree in Development Studies: The Geography of Economic Development; Geographical Information Systems; The Rural Environment. The remaining courses must be chosen from those offered by the participating departments after consultation with the Head of the Department of Economics and the Dean of the Faculty.
BA(Hons) in Industrial Society
Each student is required to read four courses, write a dissertation, and present two seminars during the year. Two of the courses must be those offered by the Department for the Interdisciplinary Degree in Industrial Society: Geography of Economic Development, Geographic Information Systems. The remaining courses must be chosen from those offered by the other participating departments after consultation with the Head of the Department of Sociology and Industrial Sociology and the Dean of the Faculty.
Suitably qualified students are encouraged to proceed to the research degrees of MSc, MA, MSocSc and PhD, under the direction of the staff of the Department. The degree of MSc in Hydrology or Geohydrology in the Department of Geography may also be awarded. Requirements for these degrees are given in the General Rules.
|
|
|