The thinning of the ozone layer, the disposal of nuclear waste, homelessness, drug abuse, sea level rise and global warming, loss of biodiversity, the break-up of the Soviet Union, the break-up of the family. These are all critical problems facing the world today and none of them can be understood properly without an understanding of geography or geology.
The study of Geography at degree level encourages an understanding of physical and social processes in a variety of places and under varying environmental conditions. The concepts, skills, techniques and ways of thinking of the geographer enable students to understand the links between physical and social processes and the importance of place and space in creating major issues facing today's society. Many of the problems associated with the physical environment require geological understanding, such as the disposal of radioactive waste, coastal protection and landslides. How are nuclear sites chosen, for example? Is the geological soundness a paramount factor or do local politics or the nature of the local economy play a part in the decision making process? Why are problems such as homelessness, drug abuse and single parenthood most acute in inner city areas - and why some cities more than others? Why will some low lying countries such as Bangladesh suffer more from global warming than equally low lying countries such as the Netherlands? These questions and many others simply cannot be answered without an understanding of geography or geology.
Geographers and Geologists themselves have had a major impact on our society - from redrawing the boundaries of Europe after World War 1 (Halford McKinder) to advising Margaret Thatcher on her environmental policy (Sir Crispin Tickell) to becoming the first Vice-President of the United States of America to be actively concerned about environmental problems (Al Gore). Studying Geography and Geology prepares students for a wide range of careers in the private, public, academic and voluntary sectors. Recent graduates in Geography and Geology from Brunel University, for example, have taken up positions in a number of environmental agencies and non-governmental organisations, including the National Rivers Authority, Friends of the Earth, Council for the Protection of Rural England, the National Trust and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Others go on to Masters courses in more specialist areas, such as Countryside Management, Geographic Information Systems and Coastal Zone Management, or to study for higher degrees by research. In addition, Geography and Geology courses provide access to a broad range of general careers, such as administration and management, the police and the armed forces, marketing and sales and, of course, teaching has always been a popular destination for Geography and Geology graduates.
Both subjects embrace a broad range of approaches and sub-disciplines: Geography, for example, ranges for Social Geography which considers the way in which factors such as race, class, gender and disability are mediated through space whilst Development Studies will investigate the relationship between over developed and the under-developed countries and the impacts of this on the developing world. Conservation embraces ecology, biodiversity and environmental management whilst Physical Geography concentrates on the workings and evolution of natural environments (geomorphology, hydrology, biogeography and climatology) and as such, now lies at the heart of the debates relating to global environmental change, such as Global Warming, Acid Rain and Tropical Deforestation. Other areas covered by Geography include Environmental issues, Political and Economic Geography, the Cultural Landscape and Planning issues. The study of Geology ranges from the understanding of the nature of rocks, through "boot and hammer" work to the study of continental drift and the impact of other planetary bodies on Earth through the use of satellite imagery. Because of this wide range, most Geography and Geology courses welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds.
Since the study of geography and geology relates so closely to real world issues, teaching and learning takes place not only in the classroom but also in "the field". Fieldwork forms an important part of both degrees and takes place in a range of settings, from the local neighbourhood, where students may monitor pollution levels or assess the degree of accessibility for disabled people, to volcanoes where geologists will study land deformation to try to predict future eruptions. All university courses incorporate field visits using sites in the British Isles and, in some cases, overseas. Working in the field not only develops appropriate skills and techniques but also enables students to work effectively in teams - just one more reason that Geography and Geology graduates are so employable.
Geographers and Geologists themselves have had a major impact on our society - from redrawing the boundaries of Europe after World War 1 (Halford McKinder) to advising Margaret Thatcher on her environmental policy (Sir Crispin Tickell) to becoming the first Vice-President of the United States of America to be actively concerned about environmental problems (Al Gore). Studying Geography and Geology prepares students for a wide range of careers in the private, public, academic and voluntary sectors. Recent graduates in Geography and Geology from Brunel University, for example, have taken up positions in a number of environmental agencies and non-governmental organisations, including the National Rivers Authority, Friends of the Earth, Council for the Protection of Rural England, the National Trust and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Others go on to Masters courses in more specialist areas, such as Countryside Management, Geographic Information Systems and Coastal Zone Management, or to study for higher degrees by research. In addition, Geography and Geology courses provide access to a broad range of general careers, such as administration and management, the police and the armed forces, marketing and sales and, of course, teaching has always been a popular destination for Geography and Geology graduates.
Both subjects embrace a broad range of approaches and sub-disciplines: Geography, for example, ranges for Social Geography which considers the way in which factors such as race, class, gender and disability are mediated through space whilst Development Studies will investigate the relationship between over developed and the under-developed countries and the impacts of this on the developing world. Conservation embraces ecology, biodiversity and environmental management whilst Physical Geography concentrates on the workings and evolution of natural environments (geomorphology, hydrology, biogeography and climatology) and as such, now lies at the heart of the debates relating to global environmental change, such as Global Warming, Acid Rain and Tropical Deforestation. Other areas covered by Geography include Environmental issues, Political and Economic Geography, the Cultural Landscape and Planning issues. The study of Geology ranges from the understanding of the nature of rocks, through "boot and hammer" work to the study of continental drift and the impact of other planetary bodies on Earth through the use of satellite imagery. Because of this wide range, most Geography and Geology courses welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds.
Since the study of geography and geology relates so closely to real world issues, teaching and learning takes place not only in the classroom but also in "the field". Fieldwork forms an important part of both degrees and takes place in a range of settings, from the local neighbourhood, where students may monitor pollution levels or assess the degree of accessibility for disabled people, to volcanoes where geologists will study land deformation to try to predict future eruptions. All university courses incorporate field visits using sites in the British Isles and, in some cases, overseas. Working in the field not only develops appropriate skills and techniques but also enables students to work effectively in teams - just one more reason that Geography and Geology graduates are so employable.
