BSc (Hons) Geography with Foundation Year

This module provides you with an overview of key concepts in cell biology and physiology, including the chemical basis of the biosciences. Throughout the module you will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of cell biology and chemistry for the natural sciences, as well as the basic concepts of physiology and homeostasis, with reference to specific physiological processes and examples of module content in nature.

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of evolution, behaviour, and anatomy, and explores how anatomical structures and behaviours contribute to survival and reproduction.

This module provides you with a broad overview of the diverse range of disciplines comprising ecology and environmental science including an understanding of adaptations of organisms to their environments, community ecology, the earth’s natural systems. You will study the global environment and characterisation of the Earth’s main biomes.

This module provides a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about the past, present, and future environmental conditions that shape the natural world, including human life.

Students will first explore Earth’s ancient environments, the development of life and become acquainted with the concept of evolution.

The bulk of the module will focus on contemporary issues and challenges. It will cover various impacts on ecosystems and students will examine the concept of sustainability. They will get an overview of current technological tools advancing scientific investigations across various disciplines, including the use of DNA in modern science. Current challenges for both human and animal populations will be explored, with emphasis on potential solutions and management scenarios

Finally, students will reflect on the potential scientific challenges that may arise as the world changes.

This module will provide students with an understanding of, and practical skills in, the methods employed by geographers and environmental scientists to collect, analyse, and present research data. Students will develop an understanding of scientific research design and methodology, and gain experience in a range of relevant data collection and analysis techniques via fieldwork and other practical sessions. The module will also encourage consideration of personal, academic, and professional development and future career aspirations.

This module will provide you with an introduction to the Earth from a geographical perspective. It will develop your knowledge and understanding of the processes that shape the natural environment, and how various global systems are interlinked. It will equip you with the theoretical, observational and practical skills required to analyse the earth system, its components and landscapes.

This module introduces a range of natural, anthropogenic and cascading hazards, and their associated risks to society as well proposed or established mitigation strategies.

This module provides an introduction to the fundamental aspects of contemporary human geography. Students will develop their understanding of a range of key concepts, issues and debates within the discipline, alongside the main qualitative research methods that can be used to investigate human geography topics. Teaching will be delivered through lectures, workshops, practical activities and field trips. Assessments will assess students’ understanding of concepts and knowledge of empirical issues, along with their ability to utilize key research methods.

The aim of this module is to facilitate your understanding and evaluation of processes in global environments through a range of lectures/workshops and an associated international field class examining, recording, interpreting and evaluating field evidence in a range of natural and anthropogenic landscapes. It will also provide an opportunity to identify the diversity of risks and issues as well as culture in the wider international context. You will be able to develop an understanding of spatial and temporal variation and themes around sustainability across geographical and environmental studies.

Students will develop a level understanding of how to capture, store, analyse, and visualise spatial data which will allow them to undertake higher level modules and dissertations using GIS . Students will acquire subject and employment skills linked to professional and career development. This practical based module uses industry standard software to develop highly sought-after skills in GIS.

Students will develop their understanding of the complex relationships between health, environment, and inequality. We will explore, through a critical lens, how health and inequality are fundamentally shaped by the social and material environments in which we live, and unpack the social, political and economic processes producing these environments across different scales and contexts. Teaching will be delivered through lectures, workshops, computer-based practicals, and fieldtrips, combining conceptual learning with empirical and spatial analysis. Teaching will focus on developing critical and applied geographical perspectives, encouraging students to evaluate both the structural drivers of health and the possibilities for more just, care-ful and sustainable health futures.

Students will develop their understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes that drive the transport of environmental pollutants through terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Teaching will be delivered through lectures, laboratory and computer-based practical’s and three field trips. Teaching will focus on the development of applied environmental monitoring, data analysis and reporting skills required by industry. Assessments will test students’ understanding of terrestrial and aquatic systems

This module aims to provide you with a clear understanding of several key issues facing the world, including geographical, biological, ecological, economic, and social threats. You will have the opportunity to analyse a wide variety of quantitate and qualitative data to develop an understanding of the localisation of these issues.

This module provides an integrated understanding of the Earth’s changing climate system. It examines the physical science basis of climate change, its environmental and societal consequences, and the global and local responses to it. The course emphasises both scientific analysis and policy-relevant interpretation of climate change data and projections.

The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. This extended placement forms a key part of a sandwich degree. All placements need to be assessed and approved prior to commencement in line with the LJMU Placement Learning Code of Practice. The Code of Practice requires students to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the placement - failure to do so may lead to the placement being terminated prematurely. Placements are normally for one calendar year on a full-time basis. Split placements of a shorter duration may be permissible. There is an expectation that a minimum of 1200 hours will be spent in the workplace.

The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.

The Dissertation provides you with the experience of investigating a research topic under the guidance of an academic tutor.

This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge and applied practical skills to a work-related project.

This module explores the relationship between human culture and environmental conservation through the natural heritage concept. Integrated conservation schemes and projects are investigated to find out the extent to which sustainable use of natural resources at local and regional levels and community involvement in conservation programmes can help to better achieve long-term environmental conservation goals.

The aim of this module is to provide you with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills gained in previous lecture-based modules to a new geographical setting, by carrying out detailed data-collection. You will critically evaluate the importance of field-based observations and analyses within the context of the wider literature and develop a wide range of transferable skills in measurement technique, research design, effective communication and group work.

Within this module, students will develop a critical and nuanced understanding of the tensions, challenges and trade-offs involved in transitioning to a low-carbon energy system. The impacts of contemporary energy systems and low-carbon alternatives on people, societies and place will be assessed through a systematic approach. Students will be challenged to develop their own evidence-based perspectives and proposals on how equitable, inclusive and effective low-carbon futures can be achieved.

This module provides relevant, stimulating and career-orientated experiential learning to encourage you to develop transferable skills relevant to the work environment and to foster initiative and independence of thought.

The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical understanding of different environmental modelling techniques and to develop skills in the selection and application of appropriate models to investigate a range of environmental phenomena.

Within this module, you will examine, interpret and evaluate the evidence for Quaternary environmental change using appropriate proxy techniques and dating methods.

Visions of catastrophic future events that undermine the very basis of survival saturate the public sphere and give rise to a contemporary atmosphere of fearful anticipation: from scientists’ dire warnings about climate futures, to environmental activism, to Hollywood blockbusters. Yet apocalyptic world endings have a history and a geography, are unevenly distributed, and intersect with other understandings of the future. In this module we will analyse multiple forms of knowing, governing, representing and resisting environmental futures. We will consider competing claims over the political and socio-cultural work that catastrophic narratives perform, and what our visions of the future reveal about present-day concerns.