Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Geography

Programme Director: Dr HAO, Pu

The BSocSc (Hons) in Geography is structured so that students can either choose to specialise 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 synthesising tradition. The BSocSc (Hons) in Geography enables students to obtain a firm foundation in geographical methodology while at the same time acquiring an understanding of the spatial order and interdependence of the world’s peoples and regions. Emphasis is placed on the ways in which geographers may assist in finding solutions to real world problems. Students are offered considerable freedom to take a broad spectrum of courses, particularly in their third and final years, when they may choose to concentrate on aspects of either physical or human geography.

Specifically, the programme aims to:

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

The structure of the curriculum is as follows:

Requirements

Major Courses

The major component provides 63 units of required and elective courses offered by the Department of Geography that provide students with a comprehensive training in the discipline. The Honours Project enables students to complete a piece of significant, independent study on a geographical topic of their choice under supervision of a faculty member. Moreover, all geography students must participate in the mandatory Field Camp of the Department, which is conducted during the second semester of Year 3.

* Geography major students can choose up to two of these China Studies courses. The contents of GEOG4056/GEOG4057 Selected Topics in the Geography of China vary from year to year. Whether this course is considered a “human” or “physical and environmental” geography course depends on the exact contents of the course at the time it is offered.