AS/A2 Geography

AS/A2 Geography
AS/A2 Geography is the study of people and their relationship with their environment, the impacts each has on the other and the challenges of managing those impacts. It uses a combination of different subjects from the arts and science to investigate both the physical and human aspects of our planet.

This course aims to give you an understanding of the issues involved and build up the skills needed for dealing with them in the future. The emphasis is on you at the centre of this changing planet â€" how will these things affect you? How are you affecting them? You will be taking part in fieldwork, discussions and internet research as well as class teaching and reflecting on your own experiences.

AS Course Content
The AS course comprises two units:

• Global Challenges
  This unit looks at Global Warming, Natural Hazards, Globalisation and Migration. You will learn about these topical issues from a geographical perspective. What impact do migrants have on the UK and on their own country? Will our climate be significantly different in the future? Are there too many people in the world? Why do we seem to suffer from more natural hazards around the world than before?
  Assessment : examination (60%)
• Geographical Investigations
  This looks at Extreme Weather and Regenerating Rural & Urban Areas.
  Fieldwork, research and practical work will form a large part of this unit. We investigate flood risk on the propesed Clay Farm development and collect data to compile a detailed weather diary as part of the first topic. There will also be an opportunity to visit the London 2012 Olympic site as part of the second topic.
  Assessment: examination (40%)

A2 Course Content
The A2 course comprises a further two units:

• Contested Planet
  You will study the use and management of resources and the conflicts that can result from scarce resources. Topics include: Energy, Water, Biodiversity, Superpowers, The Development Gap and Technological Solutions.
  Assessment: examination (60%)
• Geographical Research
  Tectonic activity generates a wide range of natural hazards. These pose a serious risk to human populations and need to be responded to appropriately. You will produce a research portfolio to form the basis of your knowledge for the examination.
  Assessment: examination (40%)

Is Geography for you?
You will enjoy and benefit from Geography if you:

• are interested in the current affairs, especially ones which concern the environment and how humans interact with it;
• like independent research and lively debate;
• are willing to get your hands dirty during fieldwork!

This is an exam-based course. However, there is a lot of variety, both in the range of topics covered and in the way in which they are studied. Practicals and fieldwork play a big part in learning about the changing landscape, human and physical.

Geography and your future
Geography complements environmental studies, biology and travel and tourism and could lead to career in any of these areas. Geographers develop many transferable skills appropriate to both higher education and employment. Students have progressed to study a range of related subjects including Town Planning, Business and Environment, Management and Marketing, Architecture, Photography, Crime Analysis, Travel Agent, Environmental Consultant, Forestry and Civil Engineering.

Visits & Visitors
Fieldwork is integral to this course. You will take part in local fieldwork visits around Cambridge as well as further afield to London and the Olympic site. A residential trip abroad is also a strong feature of this course. Previously this has involved a week in Barcelona. External visits and lectures have included the University of Cambridge Department of Geography, British Antarctic Survey and Cambridge City Council, among others.