Future Students

Geography — Physical

The Area of Study

A physical geographer strives to understand how the earth works and how humans interact with the earth. Physical geography is a wide-ranging discipline which encompasses physical, biophysical, and environmental sciences. Physical geographers are interested in environments, resources and management processes as well as landforms, soils, climate, geographic information science, global and regional climate change, weather and climate processes, air and water pollution, soil erosion, land degradation and natural hazards.

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Degree Program Information

Degree UAI 2008 CSP Course duration
Bachelor of Science 73.00 3 years full-time/ equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts 76.00 3 years full-time/ equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Science with Bachelor of Laws 96.00 5 years full-time
Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Laws 95.45 5 years full-time

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What You Will Study

You must complete a program of study (major) in Physical Geography. Your program of study may include units from the subject areas listed below:

  • atmospheric and oceanographic (climate) science
  • geoecology
  • resource management
  • climatology
  • environmental management
  • geographical information science
  • geomorphology
  • soil science

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

HSC Earth and Environmental Sciences or Biology and Chemistry or their equivalents are recommended studies for first-year physical geography units. Other units taken as part of a degree may require assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies and you should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook of Undergraduate Studies for full degree requirements.

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Career Options

  • environmental officer
  • ecologically sustainable development officer
  • soil surveyor
  • insurance analyst
  • technical officer/technician
  • rivercare officer
  • environmental consultant
  • forecaster/meteorologist
  • water policy adviser
  • resource officer/planner

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Some Major Employers

  • environmental consultancy companies
  • CSIRO
  • Bureau of Meteorology
  • environment protection authorities
  • insurance companies
  • rural fire services
  • local councils
  • state forests
  • Landcare
  • national parks and wildlife services
  • departments of infrastructure, planning and natural resources

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Further information

Department of Environment and Geography
Macquarie University, NSW 2109
Telephone:  (02) 9850 8426
Fax: (02) 9850 8420
Email: enviroandgeog@mq.edu.au
Web: www.es.mq.edu.au/physgeog

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