Program Overview

Introduction to the BSocSc (Hons) in Geography Program

The BSocSc (Hons) in Geography program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in geography, enabling them to develop a firm foundation in geographical methodology and acquire an understanding of the spatial order and interdependence of the world's peoples and regions.

Programme Description

The program is structured to allow students to either specialize in certain sub-fields of the discipline at later stages of their study or undertake a well-rounded training in geography, in line with its synthesizing tradition. The program aims to:

• Enable students to develop their knowledge of spatial order and their understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of geography
• Enable students to apply geographical perspectives in the analysis of global-local problems
• Facilitate students' acquisition of the intellectual and practical skills needed to analyze, assess, and interpret geographical information both independently and as part of a team
• Provide students with transferable skills applicable to both geographical and non-geographical careers as well as the ability to pursue postgraduate studies
• Enhance student communication and presentation skills
• Promote a sense of life-long learning and a spirit of enquiry

Curriculum Structure and Study Schedule

The curriculum structure consists of:

• Social Sciences Common Core: 4 units
• Major Required Courses: 30 units
• Major Elective Courses: 33 units
• Elective Courses: 30 units
• General Education Courses: 31 units Total: 128 units

Social Sciences Common Core

The Social Sciences Common Core consists of:

• Core Course (1 unit): Invitation to Social Sciences
• Experiential Learning in Action (3 units): either Community and Civic Engagement or Global Outreach

Major Required Courses

Major Required Courses include:

• Geography & the Contemporary World
• Cultures, Peoples & Landscapes
• Earth Systems: Shaping Landscapes
• Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Geography
• Maps and Map Making
• Earth Systems: Atmosphere & Biosphere
• Globalization of Economic Activities
• Field Camp
• Regional Geography of China
• Honours Project

Major Elective Courses

Students must choose at least one course from each of the following four areas:

• Geoanalytics and Research Practice
  • Writing Spatial Stories through Qualitative Research
  • Advanced Quantitative Methods in Geography
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Geographical Imaginations
  • Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
• Physical Systems and Environmental Dynamics
  • Geography of Health & the Environment
  • Global Environmental Issues and Sustainability
  • Advanced Climatology
  • Coastal Environments & Processes
  • Geography of Environmental Hazards
  • Selected Topics in the Geography of China (Physical & Environmental Geography)
  • Seminar in Environmental Planning & Management
  • Biogeography
  • Ecosystems and Processes
• Urban Studies, Cities and Everyday Life
  • Population Geography
  • Urban Geography
  • Geography of Transportation
  • Selected Topics in the Geography of China (Human Geography)
  • Urban Cultural Landscape
  • Urban Development in China
  • Urban and Environmental Planning
• Regions, Development and Resource Management
  • The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: A Geographical Survey
  • Energy Problems & the Environment
  • Geography of Pacific Area: Regional Development and Geopolitics
  • Environmental Health and Policy
  • Sustainable Energy & Technological Innovation in China
  • Geography of Economic Development
  • Political Geography
  • Resource & Environmental Management in China
  • Rural & Agricultural Development in China
  • Energy Policy & Analysis
  • Natural Resource Evaluation & Policy Approaches

General Education

The aim of the General Education curriculum is to provide students with a well-rounded education, involving an exposure to a wide range of transferable skills, guiding principles, and attitudes that all students will need for their future professional and personal lives.

Electives

Electives serve to encourage a free pursuit of academic interests and may be used to pursue a minor, strengthen the major field, or choose other courses of general interest in different disciplines.