Geography (2023)

Geography is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Geography may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Geography as a single major for the BA, BCC and BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Geography, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete GEOGY101 and GEOGY102.

To complete Geography as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degrees, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Geography, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete GEOGY101 and GEOGY102.

To complete a minor in Geography, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Geography major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.

Some Geography papers include practical work in the laboratory and/or fieldwork. Fieldwork may be carried out in weekends or in teaching recesses.

Further details are available from the Geography Programme.

On this page

• Prescriptions for the GradCert(Geog) and GradDip(Geog)
• Prescriptions for the PGCert(Geog), PGDip(Geog), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc
• Prescriptions for the MPhil
• Prescriptions for the PhD
• 100 Level
• 200 Level
• 300 Level
• 500 Level
• 800 Level
• 900 Level

• Prescriptions for the GradCert(Geog) and GradDip(Geog)

  A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Geography at an advanced level in their first degree.

  For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.

• Prescriptions for the PGCert(Geog), PGDip(Geog), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc

  To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Geography, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally GEOGY591) and at least 30 points from papers listed for Geography. Within the PGCert(Geog)), PGDip(Geog)) and BSocSc(Hons) a specialisation in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is available. Details of the specialisation requirements can be obtained from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.

  To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA or MSocSc in Geography, a student must have completed either:

  a) a BA or BSocSc with a major in Geography (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average across the 300 level papers, or

  b) a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Geography (or equivalent) and have gained at least second class honours (second division), or a PGDip in Geography (or equivalent) with at least a B average, and

  c) have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.

  Completion requirements for the MA or MSocSc in Geography vary according to admission criteria:

  Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including one of GEOGY500, GEOGY520, GEOGY538 or GEOGY548, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.

  Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, or a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.

• Prescriptions for the MPhil

  The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

• Prescriptions for the PhD

  The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

• 100 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  GEOGY101	Sustainable Geographies	15.0	23B (Hamilton), 23B (Online) & 23B (Tauranga)
  An introduction to the rich field of social and cultural geography with links to the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals. A foundation paper for second year papers on contemporary cultural geographies, health geographies, and Maori geographies.
  GEOGY102	A Planet Under Pressure	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Online)
  This paper investigates the current, Anthropocene epoch – during which human activity has become the dominant influence on the physical environment and its systems.

• 200 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  ENVPL201	Introduction to Resource Management	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper is designed to provide students with an introduction to law and policy relevant to the practice of environmental planning and management in New Zealand.
  GEOGY209	Health, People, Place	15.0	23B (Online)
  This paper draws on critical analysis of health, people and place to introduce contemporary developments in socio-cultural geography. Attention is paid to spatial well-being at a range of scales.
  GEOGY219	Māori Lands and Communities	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper introduces students to Maori geographical perspectives and examines key events that shape Maori communities and their relationships to land, water and other taonga.
  GEOGY228	Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Big Data	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  GIS and big data are revolutionising the application of Geography in the job market. This paper provides foundational knowledge in digital Geography and Geographical Information Systems, which are used at level 3 and postgraduate level. Students will develop confidence in the use of GIS, cartography, and data handling techniques.
  PHILO217	Environmental Ethics	15.0	23H (Online)
  A study of ethical questions about the relation of humans to the rest of the natural world, including the attribution of value and rights to the non-human world and ethical issues in environment and development.
  POPST201	Population Studies	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Online)
  This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Population Studies. Students will develop a sound understanding of the demographic drivers of population change and composition, while exploring some of the rich theories and methodological approaches which comprise Population Studies.

• 300 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  ALPSS390	Directed Study	15.0	23X (Hamilton)
  This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
  ENVPL300	Planning in Aotearoa New Zealand	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper provides students with a practical understanding of the broad range of different types of contemporary urban planning which occurs in New Zealand cities, towns and regions.
  ENVPL302	Māori Resource Management	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper introduces Maori principles of resource management and examines their relevance to contemporary planning processes.
  ENVPL309	Urban Spatial Analysis	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper will provide students with hands-on spatial analytical skills for planning practice in an urban context. Students will develop quantitative problem solving and spatial thinking skills applied to real-world urban problems.
  GEOGY301	Disasters and Development	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  Development has a significant influence on the way in which hazards impact on people, and the occurrence of disasters alters the scope of development. This paper identifies the value of focusing on disaster reduction and sustainable development as part of the same agenda. Addressing the importance of approaching and applying a disa...
  GEOGY309	Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper is a forum for debate in critical geographies of difference. Key concerns are intersections between gender, ethnicity, nationality and other social divisions in relation to place and environment.
  GEOGY328	Geographical Information Systems	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Online)
  GIS is used widely in a range of industries and government agencies, and graduates competent in GIS are sort after for employment. This paper is compulsory for the GIS minor and covers all aspects of GIS analysis, including remote sensing and model building. ArcGIS Pro is used in the labs and students have the opportunity to instal...
  PHILO317	Environmental Ethics	15.0	23H (Online)
  Do we have moral obligations toward nature? How should human beings treat the natural world? This paper examines questions such as these in light of our current ethical theories.

• 500 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  ALPSS590	Directed Study	30.0	23X (Hamilton)
  This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
  ENVPL504	Plan Making	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  Students gain a comprehensive understanding of plan development processes and develop skills relevant to plan making in professional planning practice.
  ENVPL506	Planning Law	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge of the legal context of planning relevant to the practice of environmental planning and management in New Zealand.
  ENVPL508	Plan and Consents	15.0	23X (Block)
  This paper is designed to provide students with skills and experience in the application of resource management plans and the resource consent process under the RMA. Students are engaged in experiential learning relevant to the practice of environmental planning and management in New Zealand.
  ENVPL509	Urban Spatial Analysis	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper will provide students with hands-on spatial analytical skills for planning practice in an urban context. Students will develop quantitative problem solving and spatial thinking skills applied to real-world urban problems.
  ENVPL510	Planning Theory	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper discusses the various theories that influence how we plan our world. It will cover issues such as power, justice, governance, politics, neoliberalism, marxism, gender, democracy and environmental racism.
  GEOGY500	People, Place, Power	30.0	23A (Online)
  This paper is a forum for debate in geographies of people and power. Key concerns are the intersections between gender, Maori, Indigeneity, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, nationality and other social divisions in relation to geographies of justice.
  GEOGY520	Human Dimensions of Environmental Change	30.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper examines the increasing risks imposed on human communities by global environmental change such as global warming and the occurrence of so-called natural disasters. The paper establishes a platform for the critical analysis of these processes by introducing students to important theoretical developments including the role...
  GEOGY538	Automated Spatial Analysis using Geographic Information Systems	15.0	23X (Block)
  Automated GIS, using programming or scripts, are extremely powerful compared to the 'point and click' environment, and are the most practical method for the spatial analysis of large data sets. GIS professionals are expected have the skills to write their own scripts, as well as execute and manipulate existing scripts. In this pape...
  GEOGY558	Applied Geographic Information Systems for Research and Planning	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  GIS is used widely in a range of industries and government agencies, and graduates competent in GIS are sort after for employment. This paper is designed as an introduction to GIS for graduate students and is co-taught with GEOGY328. It covers all aspects of GIS analysis, including remote sensing and model building. ArcGIS Pro is u...
  GEOGY591	Dissertation	30.0	23I (Hamilton) & 23X (Hamilton)
  A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
  GEOGY592	Dissertation	60.0	23X (Hamilton)
  A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
  GEOGY593	Geography Thesis	90.0	23X (Hamilton)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
  GEOGY594	Geography Thesis	120.0	23X (Hamilton)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

• 800 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  GEOGY800	Geography MPhil Thesis	120.0	23X (Hamilton)
  No description available.

• 900 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  GEOGY900	Geography PhD Thesis	120.0	23I (Hamilton), 23I (Tauranga), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  No description available.