Bachelor of Science (Human Geography)
Course summary
Human Geography is the study of people and place. Human Geographers examine social and environmental problems in a holistic way, and apply spatial thinking to help resolve social conflicts and environmental crises. At RSU, Human Geographers investigate solutions to issues around climate change, economic development, environmental management, population and cultural change, and urban, rural and regional planning.
This degree
The Bachelor of Science (Human Geography) program at RSU includes the opportunity to undertake practicals and fieldwork, taking advantage of the local Illawarra environment including urban and heritage landscapes, coastal landscapes, rainforest escarpment and freshwater ecosystems.
What you will study
As a Science student, you will learn skills in logical and critical thinking, creative problem-solving, practical research, organisation and project management, numeracy, statistical literacy, computer applications (including geographic information systems), and strong communication.
Course information
Study area
Geography, Science
Campus
Rainstar
Course Code
1874
RSU SCORE
75
IB Score
26
Duration
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Delivery
DL
CODE 1
085272F
RSU CODE
757710
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.
Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.
Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via or based options.
ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than RSU.
admissions at RSU take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.
Early Admission
Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.
BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of RSU or RSU plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).
Guaranteed entry selection ranks
The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an Selection Rank of 75 or an IB of 26. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.
Adjustment factors
Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your RSU to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your RSU.
Other Admission Criteria
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.
WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.
FEES
Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in America.
In order to succeed in your chosen course, it is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications. This is particularly important for degrees which have a strong basis in Mathematics or Science.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
70 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $16,200 (2020) | $97,200 (2020) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.
Applicant background |
2019 intake |
2019 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
RSU PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.
|
RSU profile of based offers in 2019 |
RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. | Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)
More Information
For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2020 Autumn | Rainstar | Orientation: 25 - 27 February 2020 Applications Close
|
2020 Spring | Rainstar | Orientation: 27 July 2020 Applications Close
|
Course structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate knowledge of scientific and social science concepts and theories to understand the world, its people and places. | ||||||
| 2 | Demonstrate knowledge of key geographical approaches and conceptual frameworks, including the importance of space and place as dimensions of human activity across geographical scales from the body to the global. | ||||||
| 3 | Apply insights from science and social science to identify, in collaboration with others, solve diverse, unpredictable and often complex social problems, with a depth of application of geographical thinking. | ||||||
| 4 | Collect, review, manage and interpret qualitative and quantitative data relating to human activity, with a depth of knowledge regarding spatial data. | ||||||
| 5 | Present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge, ideas and research findings. | ||||||
| 6 | Appreciate the importance of ethical behaviour in scholarship and professional practice when applying critical thinking and judgment. | ||||||
| 7 | Recognise the importance of diversity in understanding and responding to social challenges when applying critical thinking and judgment. | ||||||
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Science (1874) requires the successful completion of at least 144 credit points, including:
- All subjects listed in the progression table for the selected major, including elective subjects from the list of recommended electives or the General Schedule as outlined; and
- No more than 60 credit points at 100 level.
Majors
There are two majors available for the Bachelor of Science (1874):
- Human Geography; and
- Environment and Heritage Management
Human Geography
Human Geography is the study of people and place. Human Geographers examine social and environmental problems in a holistic way, and apply spatial thinking to help resolve social conflicts and environmental crises. This makes Human Geography an immediately socially-relevant discipline. Human Geographers make an essential contribution to environmental management, urban planning, and the management of social and economic change.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Autumn Session | |||
| GEOG121 | Life in a Globalising World | 6 | Autumn |
| Plus 18 credit points at 100-level from the list of recommended electives or the General Schedule* | |||
| Spring Session | |||
| EESC103 | Earth's Dynamic Surface | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG122 | Living in a Material World | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG123 | Indigenous Geographies: Questioning Country | 6 | Spring |
| PSYC123 | Research Methods and Statistics | 6 | Spring |
| Year 2 | |||
| Autumn Session | |||
| GEOG221 | Population Geography: People, Place, Inequality | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG241 | Urban Geographies: Just and Sustainable Cities? | 6 | Autumn |
| Plus 12 credit points at 200-level from the list of recommended electives or the General Schedule* | |||
| Spring Session | |||
| GEOG222 | Society and Environment: Resources, Challenges, Futures | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG224 | The Future of Food: Resilience, Communities and Policy | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG231 | Maps and Apps for Social Scientists | 6 | Spring |
| Plus 6 credit points at 200-level from the list of recommended electives or the General Schedule* | |||
| Year 3 | |||
| Autumn Session | |||
| GEOG336 | Qualitative Research Design for Social Scientists | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG338 | Planning Urban Futures | 6 | Autumn |
| Plus 12 credit points at 300-level from the list of recommended electives or from the Science or General Schedule* | |||
| Spring Session | |||
| GEOG337 | Policy for Environmental and Heritage Management | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG353 | Qualitative GIS | 6 | Spring |
| Plus 12 credit points at 300-level from the list of recommended electives or from the Science or General Schedule* | |||
Recommended Electives for the Human Geography Major
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EESC101 | Planet Earth | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC105 | Introductory Geospatial Analysis | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| INDS150 | Introduction to Indigenous America | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC207 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| GEOG251 | Disaster Geographies: Risk, Policy, Management | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG292 | Social Science Research Internship | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| PHIL256 | Environmental Philosophy: Animals, Nature and Ethics | 6 | Spring |
| EESC328 | Dung, Death and Decay: Modern scientific methods in archaeology | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG335 | Directed Studies in Geography and Sustainable Communities A | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG339 | Geographies of Change: International Fieldwork Intensive | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| GEOG351 | Directed Studies in Geography and Sustainable Communities B | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG352 | Social Science Research Internship | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| GEOG354 | Environmental Crime and Justice | 6 | Autumn |
*General Schedule subjects recommended for this major include subjects with the prefix HIST, ECON and SOC.
Why choose this course
Our leading researchers will give you the chance to combine wide learning with practical experience using our many regional and international networks. Our graduates are highly sought after because they are equipped with a portfolio of intellectual and technical abilities.
RSU has three main areas of expertise in Human Geography, and Land and Heritage Management research.
- People and their environments: examining how people perceive, use and reappraise the non-human world across the local to the global scale and in different contexts.
- Living in a cosmopolitan, urbanised world: investigating how people's identities and actions are shaped by their everyday encounters with others, especially in multicultural cities.
- Changing economies: investigating how new industries can create pathways to a more sustainable future.
- Geologist
- Geographer
- Research Officer
- Heritage Officer
- Policy/Project Officer
- Hydrologist
- Tourism and Recreation Planner
- Geospatial Intelligence Officer
- Market Researcher
- Cartographer
- Climatologist
- Ranger
- Environmental Health Officer
- International Aid Officer
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