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Overview

We offer a choice of three high quality undergraduate degree courses in Geography to suit the different needs and interests of our students.

We present both a balanced overview of the contemporary study of human and physical geography and also a wide spectrum of research-led teaching, with an emphasis on scientific, analytical and critical content.

After the First Year  course, students choose from among a variety of pathways, allowing for specialisation in human geography only, physical geography only, or a mix of the two. These pathways are then followed beyond first year to graduation.

Major in Geography

Geography is a major subject in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. Geography can also be a Minor subject for many Otago degrees.

Major in Environmental Management

Environmental Management is a major subject in the Bachelor of Science and is taught by the School of Geography. Environmental Management can also be a Minor subject for many Otago degrees.

Note: In 2024 all new enrolments to the Environmental Management major will be via the Bachelor of Science. Students who enrolled before 2024 may be completing the Environmental Management major via the Bachelor of Applied Science.

Minor in Environment and Society

Environment and Society is a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc ( Students enrolled before 2024), BCom, BEntr,  BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree and is taught/administered by the School of Geography.

Find out more about the Environment and Society minor

Field Courses

All Geography majors take part in field courses that may involve several days in the field away from Dunedin (at 200- and 300-level). These are a popular feature of the Geography programme and provide a valuable opportunity to apply your learning to the real world.

Find out more about Geography Field Courses

Choosing which papers to take

Papers offered in the School of Geography draw on our research. We offer undergraduate papers (formal lectures) from 100- to 300-level papers.

Schedule and list of Geography papers we offer

If you have any questions about our courses after viewing the information – you should in the first instance, contact the following course advisers:

The above staff can advise you about course-related matters during the academic year.

If you cannot one of these advisers immediately (e.g. staff may be in the field or on leave), then contact:

The School of Geography administrator
Email geography@otago.ac.nz

Application information for prospective students

If you are a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or permanent resident and want to study at undergraduate level then please read:

Application information at for New Zealand students at undergraduate levelIf you are an international student and want to study at undergraduate level then please read:

Application information for International students at undergraduate level

Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Geography

LevelPapersPoints
100-level GEOG 101 Physical Geography 18
GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures 18
200-level GEOG 280 Engaging with People and Place: Doing Geographical Research 18
Two further 200-level GEOG papers (excluding GEOG 201) 36
300-level GEOG 380 Field Research Studies 18
Three further 300-level GEOG papers 54
Plus 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. 198
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts  
Total 360

Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Geography

LevelPapersPoints
100-level GEOG 101 Physical Geography18
GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures18
One of COMO 101, MATH 120, MATH 130, STAT 110, STAT 11518
200-levelGEOG 201 Field Research Methods (Science)18
At least one of GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288 , GEOG 289, GEOG 298, GEOG 29918
One further 200-level GEOG paper (excluding GEOG 280)18
300-levelGEOG 301 Field Research Studies18
Two of GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394 , GEOG 395, GEOG 398, GEOG 39936
One further 300-level GEOG paper18
Plus 180 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.

Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
180
Total   360

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) majoring in Environmental Management (Note: For students enrolled before 2024 only)

YearPapersPoints
100-level ENVI 111 Environment and Society
GEOG101 Physical Geography
GEOG102 Human Geography
one ofMATH160 Mathematics 1
MATH170 Mathematics 2
STAT 110 Statistical Methods
18
18
18
18
200-level GEOG216 Resource Evaluation and Planning
GEOG290 Field Research Methods (Science)
Two of GEOG281, GEOG282, GEOG283, GEOG284, GEOG286, GEOG287, GEOG288
GEOG289, GEOG298, GEOG399
18
18
36
300-level GEOG380 Field Research Studies
GEOG397 Environmental Management
Two of GEOG387, GEOG388, GEOG389, GEOG390, GEOG392, GEOG393, GEOG394
GEOG395, GEOG398, GEOG399
18
18
36
  144 further points, including either requirements for an approved minor or approved
second major subject or other approved papers
144
Total  360

Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Environmental Management

YearPapersPoints
100-level ENVI 111 Environment and Society18
GEOG 101 Physical Geography18
GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures18
One of:
COMO 101 Modelling and Computation
MATH 120 Mathematics for Scientists
MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics
STAT 110 Statistical Methods
STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
18
200-level GEOG 216 Environmental Management: Principles and Values18
GEOG 201 Field Research Methods18
Two of GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288 , GEOG 289, GEOG 298, GEOG 29936
300-level GEOG 301 Field Research Studies18
GEOG 397 Environmental Management: Policy and Practice18
Two of GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394 , GEOG 395, GEOG 398, GEOG 39936
 144 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.144
Total   360

Minor Subject Requirements

Geography (Arts option) as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

GEOG 101 Physical Geography

GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures

18

18

200-levelTwo 200-level GEOG papers (excluding GEOG 201)36
300-levelOne 300-level GEOG paper (excluding GEOG 301, GEOG 380)18
Total 90

Geography (Science option) as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

GEOG 101 Physical Geography

GEOG 102 Geographies of Sustainable Futures

18

18

200-level

Two of GEOG 201, GEOG 216, GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 285, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 298, GEOG 299

36

300-levelOne of GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 397, GEOG 398, GEOG 39918
Total 90

Environmental Management as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

ENVI 111 Environment and Society

GEOG 101 Physical Geography

18

18

200-levelGEOG 216 Environmental Management: Principles and Values18
300-level

GEOG 397 Environmental Management: Policy and Practice

One of GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 285, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 298, GEOG 299, GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 398, GEOG 399

18

18

Total 90

Environment and Society as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

ENVI 111 Environment and Society

One other approved paper at 100-level or above

18

18

200-level

ENVI 211 Environmental History of New Zealand

One other approved paper at 200-level or above

18

18

300-level

ENVI 311 Understanding Environmental Issues

Note: ENVI 312 is available as one of the elective papers.

18

Total 90
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