BA (Hons) Geography Bachelor's degree at the University of Brighton

UK-based residential field course over three working days with lectures and workshops. Intensive study and field research skills training in different field environments. Themes covered include physical geography, environmental geography/ecology and human geography as well as an introduction to risk assessment, research ethics and working across difference.

Techniques used to analyse geographical and environmental data. Development of skills in presenting data visually and identifying patterns and relationships using statistics and geospatial analysis. Learn to use statistical software and work with geospatial and remote sensing data, including GIS software.

Theoretical and practical introduction to azonal (tectonic, climatic, hydrological, fluvial, coastal, slope, aeolian, and biogeographical) and zonal (glacial and periglacial) physical geographical systems. Examine the ways in which these systems interact with and influence human activities, both at the present day and over archaeological timescales.

Exploration of global environmental challenges from natural science and social science case perspectives. Case studies introduce topical and current environmental challenges and examine how issues may be addressed through interdisciplinary management and mitigation. Lectures and workshops including research on contemporary issues.

Critical introduction to key themes in human geography. Development of appreciation of geographical concepts such as nature, space, place and scale through consideration of geographies of global political-economic change, past and contemporary cultural geographies and geographical imaginations, and social geographies of everyday life.

Introduction to academic study, observational and transferable skills for geographers, environmental managers and environmental scientists. Support in learning at university and learning independently. Introduction to survey design including questionnaire and other survey design techniques as first step towards independent research design.

Development of professional competencies in applying geographical and environmental knowledge and skills to address complex, global challenges. Collaborative consultancy exercise to improve employability skills, including creative problem solving, project management, working in diverse teams and reflective learning for professional practice. Engagement with employers, alumni and staff associated with the Brighton Works programme.

Opportunity to gain practical experience through geographical and environmental studies in exciting, stimulating and novel environments. Residential field-based module experiencing qualitative and quantitative field techniques across different physical and socio-cultural landscapes outside the UK. Focus on the full scope of field work, from research design to data collection, analysis and presentation.

Understanding of the research process in geography and environmental studies. Development of data analysis skills, including classification, ordination, parametric and non-parametric statistics and multi-variate analysis. Training on qualitative methods and approaches such as interviews, focus groups, textual analysis and creative methods. Practical aspects of planning and designing a research project.

Exploration of erosional and depositional processes, landforms and sediments associated with fluvial, glacial/periglacial and aeolian environments. Learn about factors influencing evolution of these environments over timescales from hours to decades. Introduction to key techniques used to describe geomorphic environments, such as flume simulation, particle size/shape analysis and qualitative/quantitative interpretation.

Exploration of systematic interrelations between political and economic geographies and political-economic evolution of global capitalism and the modern nation state. Introduction to theories of power, resistance and activism to interpret the relationship between the state, capital, populations and the individual. Study of development of nation state in terms of geopolitics, territory and colonialism.

Investigation of how society manages pollution to protect human health and the natural environment. Examination of changing attitudes to pollution and how environment management and technology can be used for pollution control. Exploration of sustainability and technologies in relation to management of waste, air quality, water, wastewater and noise pollution.

Introduction to historical and contemporary debates around sustainability and encouragement to think spatially about environmental and social inequalities associated with approaches to sustainability and sustainable development through relevant case studies. Topics include vulnerabilities and conflicts in water supply systems, food security and food sovereignty. Field visit to Brighton explores pathways to sustainability in practice.

Learning about the Quaternary (last 2.6 million years) characterised by major environmental changes associated with expansion and contraction of polar ice sheets. Learn about causes of environmental changes and their impact upon past societies. Consider impacts of climate change due to human factors such as fossil fuels and external causes like changes in solar energy and the Earth's orbit. Local field visit and laboratory analyses followed by palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.

Exploration of how issues of social inequality, injustice and exclusion manifest through and in relation to cultural spaces, places and environments. Coverage of activism and social movements, identity and identification and nature-culture relations. Learning of key theories and concepts from social and cultural geography such as social construction, poststructuralism, relationality and the non-human. Includes a guided day field trip to a relevant location.

Development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in optical Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems. Application of learning to real-world situations in geographical, geological and environmental sciences. Engagement in spatial and digital computing, remote sensing, data handling and problem solving to become proficient at using remote sensing and GIS software.

Conduct a piece of original research on a topic of choice. Opportunity for deep learning around a specific topic and development of expertise in selected research methods and analytical techniques. Demonstrates independence of thought and ability to organise and execute an extensive and in-depth geographical or environmental investigation.

Exploration of key issues in urban planning and social geography. Learning about the character and history of selected modern cities from around the world, and examination of conflicts and challenges that shape life in cities, as well as ideas and approaches used to address these problems. Exploration of how inclusivity and equity affect different social groups and links between urban planning and social justice.

Explanation of the importance of geography in understanding genders and sexualities. Investigation of key sites like family homes, sports arenas and LGBTQ neighbourhoods, and exploration of spatially sensitive approaches to contemporary issues around trans lives, sex work and changing masculinities.

Advanced module on spatial and digital computing to strengthen data-handling and critical thinking skills from GIS and Remote Sensing Principles and Practice module. Teaching of expertise needed to identify and critically examine geographical and wider environmental issues. Blending of theory and applied practice with selected methods. Support in developing novel solutions and evaluating their effectiveness through real-world examples and case studies.

Addresses questions of how change happens at local level and how the changing role of the state, the university and the voluntary sector affect this. Provides opportunity to participate in making a better world through text-based discussions and a 50-hour placement in a non-profit organisation. Opportunity to reflect and critically analyse the relationship between universities and the community, and the opportunities and challenges faced by community organisations.

Exploration of global environmental challenges through the lens of political ecology which provides a framework for critical thinking needed to examine environmental issues.