Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 15/02/2023
College College Life and Env Sci
School School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department Geography
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title M.Sci. Geography with International Year Full-time
Programme Code 9918
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations Royal Geographical Society (IBG)
Aims of the Programme 1) To enable students critically to study physical, human and environmental geographies and their interactions. (G3.2). 2) To develop geographical understanding through a variety of teaching and learning methods, including fieldwork and other forms of experiential learning, which are carefully integrated into a coherent programme of studies (G2.2; G3.16; G5.2). 3) To develop progressively, independent learning and study skills (G3.1; G4.3; G4.7; G5.5). 4) To develop intellectual and practical skills in the collection, interpretation, analysis and presentation of data using appropriate qualitative, quantitative/statistical techniques and computer and information technologies (G2.3; G2.4; G3.12; G3.13). 5) To embed skills of working in small groups and oral presentation into training and assessment of courses (G4.8; G5.7). 6) To enhance the learning experience by structuring the programme so that by the final year students are able to study modules that are informed by the current specialised geographical research of academic staff (S4.1; G1.7; G2.5). 7) To provide students with transferable, personal and academic skills that will not only qualify them for employment but will also enable them to engage in life-long learning and contribute to the wider community G2.5; G4.1; B5.3, S4.3).

G = QAA Geography Benchmarks, B = University of Birmingham Learning & Teaching Strategy, S = School of Geography and Environmental Sciences Learning & Teaching Strategy
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
The varied philosophical and theoretical bases of geographical enquiry (G3.10).
The principles, methods and techniques used in the analysis and interpretation of geographical information (human, physical and environmental) (G3.12).
The nature of change in physical a(G3.2; G3.3; G3.4; G3.5).(G3.2).
The perspectives of cultural, social, (G3.3; G3.4; G3.8)
The ways in which the distinctiveness of place, at different spatial scales, is contested, constituted and constantly remade (G2.2; G3.2; G3.3; G3.6)
The processes underpinning physical and biological systems and environmental change at a range of temporal and spatial scales (G3.2; G3.3; G3.4; G3.5; G3.7; G3.9).
The outcomes of the MSci programme are differentiated from those of the BSc in requiring a higher degree of creativity, initiative and independence in learning, and a greater awareness of the issues underpinning future advances in Geography.
Lectures (2-6); seminars (2-6; tutorials (2-6); practical classes (2, 6); fieldwork (2-6); projects (3-6).
3000-word critical review of theoretical basis of research (stage 2); Unseen examinations (2-6); class tests (2-6); course essays (2-6); project work (2-6); field note books (2); group presentations (2-4); poster presentations (2-6).
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Have a conceptual understanding of the ways in which geographers and others conceive of the world and be able to contest and challenge the provisional nature of that geographical knowledge and understanding (G3.2; G3.10; G3.11).
Analyse, evaluate and synthesise published geographical information ((G2.3; G2.4; G3.12; G4.4; G4.7; G4.8).
Communicate, analyse and critically evaluate a wide range of geographical concepts, ideas and results to a professional standard and through reasoned argument by written, oral and visual means G4.7).
Exploit the potential of computers in information gathering, communication, and data processing, analysis and presentation (G2.4; G4.8).
Have an understanding of appropriate practical skills for data collection in geographical research projects and to be able to evaluate their conceptual efficacies (G3.12; G4.7; G5.5)..
Work effectively and efficiently, both individually and as a member of a group (G4.7; G4.8; G5.7).
"Plan, design and conduct a piece of independent geographical research and produce a final report by:
a) evaluating the issues involved in the design and execution of a field-based or other type of research activity (including its ethics and a risk assessment).
b) collecting, recording, processing and integrating both quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources using appropriate techniques
c) understand and critically reflect upon philosophies and processes of data collection and analysis
d) Presenting the findings of the research project to a professional standard (including illustrative material, citation and bibliography)G3.12; G3.13; G4.7; G5.4; G5.5; G5.8)..
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