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Overview

An introduction to the geographic study of the Earth’s environmental systems, with particular emphasis on energy, landforms, vegetation, surficial materials and water. Includes laboratory studies, tutorials and field work.

Physical Geography is the study of the natural environment that promotes the understanding of the interactions between social, earth and physical science. A particular characteristic of Physical Geography is that it is "hands on" and concentrates on the real world, and to study the real world requires specific skills like mapping, remote sensing, data collection, field work and communication skills.

In GEOG 101 we will introduce you to the diverse physical environment and in practical sessions introduce skills that will enable you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real world problems. The skills learnt in this course are those used by researchers and professionals in many disciplines.

About this paper

Paper title Physical Geography
Subject Geography
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,318.20
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Science
Contact
geography@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: To be Advised

Lecturers:
Professor Nicolas Cullen

Dr Sarah Mager

Professor Sean Fitzsimons

Dr Ralf Ohlemüller

Senior Teaching Fellow: Ben Varkalis

Paper Structure

Lectures cover four modules:

  • Geomorphology
  • Climatology
  • Hydrology
  • Biogeography
Teaching Arrangements

Four lectures and One 3-hour laboratory in 7 weeks of the semester.

One half-day field trip during the course, where you will undertake observations and measurements of some aspect of the natural environment.

Textbooks

An Introduction of Physical Geography and the Environment. 4th Edition, edited by Joseph Holden (2017), Pearson.

Course outline

View the course outline for GEOG 101

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the paper you should:
  • Have a well-developed understanding of the content, key concepts and themes in contemporary Physical Geography
  • Be familiar with and able to apply basic methods of study and techniques of analysis in Physical Geography
  • Be able to analyse critically and communicate your analysis effectively using both oral and written media
  • Be well prepared to progress to 200-level papers in Geography and to apply geographic perspectives in other subjects you may be studying
Assessment details

Assessment is 60% internal (on-going during the semester) and 40% external (final examination).

Timetable

Semester 1

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Aoroa

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Monday 09:00-09:50 9-14, 16-17, 19-22
AND
B1 Tuesday 09:00-09:50 9-14, 16-22
AND
C1 Wednesday 09:00-09:50 9-14, 16-22
AND
D1 Thursday 09:00-09:50 9-14, 16-22

Practical

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend one stream from
A2 Monday 14:00-14:50 12
Monday 14:00-16:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A3 Monday 18:00-18:50 12
Monday 18:00-20:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A4 Tuesday 10:00-10:50 12
Tuesday 10:00-12:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A5 Tuesday 14:00-14:50 12
Tuesday 14:00-16:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A6 Wednesday 10:00-10:50 12
Wednesday 10:00-12:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A7 Wednesday 14:00-14:50 12
Wednesday 14:00-16:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A8 Wednesday 18:00-18:50 12
Wednesday 18:00-20:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A9 Thursday 10:00-10:50 12
Thursday 10:00-12:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A10 Thursday 14:00-14:50 12
Thursday 14:00-16:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22
A11 Friday 10:00-10:50 12
Friday 10:00-12:50 10-11, 16, 19, 21-22

Terms Test (Streamed)

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend one stream from
A1 Tuesday 19:00-19:50 18
A2 Tuesday 19:00-19:50 18
A3 Tuesday 19:00-19:50 18
A4 Tuesday 19:30-20:20 18

Overview

An introduction to the geographic study of the Earth’s environmental systems, with particular emphasis on energy, landforms, vegetation, surficial materials and water. Includes laboratory studies, tutorials and field work.

Physical Geography is the study of the natural environment that promotes the understanding of the interactions between social, earth and physical science. A particular characteristic of Physical Geography is that it is "hands on" and concentrates on the real world, and to study the real world requires specific skills like mapping, remote sensing, data collection, field work and communication skills.

In GEOG 101, we will introduce you to the diverse physical environment and, in practical sessions, introduce skills that will enable you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. The skills learnt in this course are those used by researchers and professionals in many disciplines.

About this paper

Paper title Physical Geography
Subject Geography
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
SUST 101
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Science
Contact
geography@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Dr Sarah Mager

Lecturers:

Senior Teaching Fellow: Ben Varkalis

Paper Structure

Lectures cover four modules:

  • Geomorphology
  • Climatology
  • Hydrology
  • Biogeography
Teaching Arrangements

Four lectures and one 3-hour laboratory in seven weeks of the semester.

One half-day field trip during the course, where you will undertake observations and measurements of some aspect of the natural environment.

Textbooks
  • An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. 4th Edition, edited by Joseph Holden (2017), Pearson.
  • Course outline

    View the course outline for GEOG 101.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    By the end of the paper you should:

    • Have a well-developed understanding of the content, key concepts and themes in contemporary Physical Geography
    • Be familiar with and able to apply basic methods of study and techniques of analysis in Physical Geography
    • Be able to analyse critically and communicate your analysis effectively using both oral and written media
    • Be well prepared to progress to 200-level papers in Geography and to apply geographic perspectives in other subjects you may be studying
    Assessment details

    Assessment is 60% internal (on-going during the semester) and 40% external (final examination).

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Aoroa

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 09:00-09:50 9-12, 15-22
    AND
    B1 Tuesday 09:00-09:50 9-12, 15-22
    AND
    C1 Wednesday 09:00-09:50 9-12, 15-22
    AND
    D1 Thursday 09:00-09:50 9-12, 15-22

    Practical

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A2 Monday 14:00-14:50 22
    Monday 14:00-16:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A3 Monday 18:00-18:50 22
    Monday 18:00-20:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A4 Tuesday 10:00-10:50 22
    Tuesday 10:00-12:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A5 Tuesday 14:00-14:50 22
    Tuesday 14:00-16:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A6 Tuesday 18:00-18:50 22
    Tuesday 18:00-20:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A7 Wednesday 14:00-14:50 22
    Wednesday 14:00-16:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A8 Wednesday 18:00-18:50 22
    Wednesday 18:00-20:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A9 Thursday 10:00-10:50 22
    Thursday 10:00-12:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A10 Thursday 14:00-14:50 22
    Thursday 14:00-16:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21
    A11 Friday 10:00-10:50 22
    Friday 10:00-12:50 10, 12, 16, 18, 21

    Terms Test (Streamed)

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Tuesday 18:00-18:50 17
    A2 Tuesday 18:00-18:50 17
    A3 Tuesday 18:00-18:50 17
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