People, places and the environment.
Geography is a blend of social and environmental sciences concerned with the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these.
By studying Geography you could, for example, become involved in anything from designing new parks and gardens to monitoring changes in glaciers, mapping natural hazards and developing strategies for the tourism industry.
A Geography degree at Otago will equip you with sought-after skills in information gathering, data analysis and critical assessment, which will serve you well no matter the career you choose.
Why study Geography?
Geography provides a bridge between the arts and the sciences, addressing issues at the regional, national and global scale. With a Geography degree at Otago you’re out in the field from the very start, getting practical experience in the environments you study.
Geography papers fit well into almost any degree and we have strong links with many other disciplines including; geology, surveying, tourism and sustainability research (Centre for Sustainability).
The mix of analytical and communication skills combined with practical experience make Otago Geography graduates highly sought-after in a wide range of industries.
Career opportunities
Geography graduates enjoy an unusually large number of career options.
For example:
- There are opportunities in Central Government for Geography graduates across a wide range of ministries and departments, including researching and writing reports and developing and monitoring policy in areas such as environment, agriculture, tourism and the economy
- Roles in Local Government in areas such as planning and conservation, environmental monitoring, natural hazards or identifying new areas for business development
- Private sector jobs in marketing, tourism and transport, planning and resource consultancy
Background required
There are no subjects you have to have done in order to study Geography – you don’t even need to have studied it at school.
Geography at Otago
The undergraduate programme provides a firm grounding in the social, economic and physical aspects of the environment.
The study of Geography falls into three main areas:
- Human Geography in which students study theoretical frameworks and contemporary issues surrounding economic, social, cultural and political geography, as shown in urban, rural development and regional contexts
- Physical Geography in which students study various environmental topics, which together make up the fundamentals of this branch of the discipline: geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, hydrology and soil science. Each is investigated in terms of process, resource potential and sensitivity to human interference
- Environmental Management in which students gain a theoretical and practical understanding of environmental processes such as climatology, geomorphology, biogeography, hydrology and soil science. This area incorporates sustainable development, integrated resource management and environmental planning and policy
Teaching style
Geography papers are taught in a range of ways. Students attend lectures, tutorials and labs, and also gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and practical courses in research methods.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Geography
Level | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Human Geography | 18 18 |
200-level | GEOG 280 Research Methodology in Human Geography Two further 200-level GEOG papers (excluding GEOG 290) | 18 36 |
300-level | GEOG 380 Field Research Studies Three further 300-level GEOG papers | 18 54 |
Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Geography
Papers |
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Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Geography
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Geography is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Geography
Papers |
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Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Geography
Thesis |
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Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Geography or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Geography must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Geography prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Geography
Level | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Human Geography STAT 110 Statistical Methods | 18 18 18 |
200-level | GEOG 290 Field Research Methods (Science) At least one of GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 298, GEOG 299 One further 200-level GEOG paper (excluding GEOG 280) | 18 18 |
300-level | GEOG 380 Field Research Studies Two of GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 398, GEOG 399 One further 300-level GEOG paper | 18 36 |
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 Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Geography
Papers |
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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Geography
Papers |
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Master of Science (MSc) in Geography
Papers and Thesis |
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Minor subject requirements
Geography (Arts option) as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, 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 Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), 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
Level | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Human Geography | 18 18 |
200-level | Two 200-level GEOG papers (excluding GEOG 290) | 36 |
300-level | One 300-level GEOG paper (excluding GEOG 380) | 18 |
Total | 90 |
Geography (Science option) as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, 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 Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), 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
Level | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
100-level | GEOG 101 Physical Geography GEOG 102 Human Geography | 18 18 |
200-level | Two of GEOG 216, GEOG 281, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 285, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 290, GEOG 298, GEOG 299 | 36 |
300-level | One of GEOG 387, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 397, GEOG 398, GEOG 399 | 18 |
Total | 90 |
Papers
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
---|---|---|---|---|
GEOG101 | 2021 | Physical Geography | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG102 | 2021 | Human Geography | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG210 | 2021 | Social Geography | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG212 | 2021 | Transformations in Developing Countries | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG214 | 2021 | Economic Geography of the Post-World War II Era | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG215 | 2021 | Urban Geography | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG216 | 2021 | Environmental Management: Principles and Values | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG219 | 2021 | Special Topic in Human Geography | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG228 | 2021 | Uneven Development in Contemporary India | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG276 | 2021 | Geographies of Contestation, Action and Change | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG278 | 2021 | Geographies of the South Pacific | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG280 | 2021 | Research Methodology in Human Geography | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG281 | 2021 | Topics in Physical Geography | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG282 | 2021 | Climate Change: Present and Future | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG283 | 2021 | Climate Change: The Past | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG284 | 2021 | Soils and the Environment | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG285 | 2021 | Southern Landscapes | 12 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG286 | 2021 | Climatology | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG287 | 2021 | Plants, People and the Environment | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG288 | 2021 | Rivers and Runoff | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG289 | 2021 | Geomorphology | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG290 | 2021 | Field Research Methods (Science) | 18 points | Full Year |
GEOG298 | 2021 | Coastal Geomorphology | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG299 | 2021 | Freshwater Resources: Monitoring and Management | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG328 | 2021 | Uneven Development in Contemporary India | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG374 | 2021 | Economic Geography of the Post-World War II Era | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG376 | 2021 | Geographies of Contestation, Action and Change | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG378 | 2021 | Geographies of the South Pacific | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG379 | 2021 | Special Topic in Human Geography | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG380 | 2021 | Field Research Studies | 18 points | Full Year |
GEOG381 | 2021 | Social Geography | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG382 | 2021 | Transformations in Developing Countries | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG384 | 2021 | Urban Geography | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG387 | 2021 | Topics in Physical Geography | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG388 | 2021 | Climate Change: Present and Future | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG389 | 2021 | Climate Change: The Past | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG390 | 2021 | Soils and the Environment | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG392 | 2021 | Climatology | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG393 | 2021 | Plants, People and the Environment | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG394 | 2021 | Rivers and Runoff | 18 points | First Semester |
GEOG395 | 2021 | Geomorphology | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG397 | 2021 | Environmental Management: Policy and Practice | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG398 | 2021 | Coastal Geomorphology | 18 points | Second Semester |
GEOG399 | 2021 | Freshwater Resources: Monitoring and Management | 18 points | Not offered in 2021 |
GEOG401 | 2021 | Theories of Development | 20 points | First Semester |
GEOG402 | 2021 | Development Planning and Practice | 20 points | Second Semester |
GEOG454 | 2021 | Alpine Geomorphology | 20 points | First Semester |
GEOG457 | 2021 | Advanced Urban Geography | 20 points | First Semester |
GEOG459 | 2021 | Biogeography | 20 points | Second Semester |
GEOG460 | 2021 | Climatology | 20 points | Second Semester |
GEOG461 | 2021 | Mountain Hydrology | 20 points | First Semester |
GEOG463 | 2021 | Geographies of Justice | 20 points | Second Semester |
GEOG464 | 2021 | An Approved Course in Geography | 20 points | First Semester, Second Semester |
GEOG465 | 2021 | Special Topic in Geography | 20 points | Second Semester |
GEOG470 | 2021 | A Research Topic in Geography | 40 points | Full Year |
GEOG471 | 2021 | Impact Assessment and Sustainability | 20 points | Second Semester |
GEOG472 | 2021 | Developments in Environmental Management | 20 points | First Semester |
GEOG474 | 2021 | Coastal Management | 20 points | First Semester |
GEOG490 | 2021 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
GEOG495 | 2021 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year |
GEOG590 | 2021 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period, 2nd Non standard period |
Key information for future students
Contact us
School of Geography
Email geography@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/geography