AS and A2 level Geography

AS and A2 level Geography

Are you interested in today's world? Do you want to find out more about topical issues currently in the news? Topics like river flooding, coastal management, problems of rapid population growth and the environmental impact of energy production? Then Geography is the subject for you! This stimulating subject builds on knowledge gained at GCSE level. It combines well with a wide variety of other subjects â€" both arts and sciences. Both the AS and A2 courses develop a range of skills providing a good basis for Higher Education and future employment.


WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?
The AS units are:

·Physical and Human Geography
- rivers, floods and management; global population change; coastal environments; energy issues (70% of AS).

·Applied Geography
- you will develop the use and application of a variety of geographical skills, for example graphical mapping, ICT and statistical skills (30% of AS).

You will have the opportunity to take part in fieldwork enabling you to develop investigative skills.

The A2 units are:

·Contemporary Geographical Issues
- plate movements; challenges facing ecosystems; development and globalisation (60% of A2).

·Individual investigation
- the individual investigation of a geographical issue. You will have the opportunity to extend an area of the subject content into a more detailed study (40% of A2). This paper will require you to use geographical skills such as statistical tests and map reading.

You will continue to study a combination of human and physical geography. There will also be the opportunity to produce a fieldwork investigation.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN LESSONS?
In both AS and A2 you will investigate geographical issues through a variety of teaching and learning styles ranging from independent research to group work and presentations. You are encouraged to read widely around the topics and contribute to class discussions. You will also have opportunities to study the subject in the field and bring first hand observations into the classroom. IT skills such as Internet research and data presentation will become an integral part of your work and we encourage you to make full use of the College facilities.

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?
Through written examinations.

FIELDWORK AND VISITS
Geography is about the world around us, so fieldwork plays an important part in the subject. Last year students undertook river studies in Surrey, coastal studies in Devon and historical landscape work in Bath. In previous years A2 students have visited Barcelona, Cyprus and Iceland. You will also have the opportunity to carry out personal fieldwork for your A2 Individual Investigation.



WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS CAN I DO WITH GEOGRAPHY?
Geography is considered both a humanities and a science subject and as such has a wide range of other subjects that complement it. Geography spans such a wide range of disciplines that it is difficult to find a subject that does have some connection to the subject! Students who wish to specialise in certain aspects of the subject at degree level should look carefully at the course requirements. For example, Earth Sciences may require Physics; for some courses Maths with Statistics may be an advantage.

AND AFTER THE COURSE?
The AS course includes a range of skills which are readily transferable to other subjects at A2 and Higher Education. Geography and associated subjects, including geology, oceanography,

geophysical sciences, conservation management and forensic geography (to name but a few!) have proved to be popular choices for study at university.

For AS

Requirement
Most students taking up Geography will have studied it at school. If you have taken GCSE Geography we would expect you to have acquired at least a Grade C. We also require Grade C in English (language), Mathematics and Science. GCSE Geography is not essential for A level. We would welcome able and motivated students who may have dropped the subject earlier during school. It combines well with the majority of other subjects and contributes to a general education without requiring early specialisation. You will, however, need to have the ability to quickly grasp new ideas and concepts.