Geography

Geography
"Geography is the subject that holds the key to our future" Michael PalinGeography will enable you to study a number of issues, which are of contemporary national and global importance. The course will allow you to extend and develop your knowledge of a range of physical and human environments at a variety of scales and levels of development.If you choose to study geography, you will be involved in examining a range of engaging and diverse topics such as global warming, plate tectonics, hydrological systems, population and settlement change, contemporary geographical themes and research techniques and sustainable development.In addition, the course will provide you with a wide range of key skills. These include application of number, information technology, communication, problem solving, working with others and improving own learning and performance. Geography will also train you to appreciate different viewpoints and formulate reasoned opinions.

AS Units (Year One)
The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) is studied in the first year. The course is divided into two separate modules. They are:
G1 Changing Physical Environments (75 marks): Students will study climate change and investigate hydrological and tectonic change.


G2 Changing Human Environments (75 marks): Students will investigate both population and settlement change in this part of the course.Both G1 and G2 are assessed through two 90 minute written papers.The Advanced Level is studied in the second year. The A Level combines units G1 and G2 with a further two units of study. They are:


G3 Contemporary Themes and Research in Geography (75 marks): Section A - Students will investigate the management of coastal landforms and the issue of development. Section A is assessed through a 1 hour 30 minutes written paper, consisting of two essays.


G3 Contemporary Themes and Research in Geography: Section B - Students will undertake an individual research enquiry on a topic issued by the WJEC examination board. Section B is assessed through a 45 minute written paper.
G4 Sustainability (80 marks): Students will investigate global food and water supplies, the notion of sustainable cities as well as considering sustainable forms of energy. This unit is assessed through a 1 hour 45 minutes written paper.This course provides a firm basis for any further study in geography and a pathway to a geographical career. Due to the broad nature of the subject, and the skills acquired throughout the course, it combines well with both science and arts subjects to lead to university courses in such areas as journalism, teaching, surveying, accountancy and planning. Students who choose not to go into Higher Education will have developed a range of transferable skills that allow them to explore a wide range of employment opportunities.

Results
SUMMER 2009
A - C grade: 90%
Highlights: 32% of learners achieved'A' grades and 65% achieved'A' or'B' grades, well above the national figure.

Examination Board WJEC