Keele University Prospectus Undergraduate | 2016 | Page 194

NATURAL SCIENCES

Physical Geography
Overview

Physical Geography explores the Earth’s varied
landscapes and the complex, fragile, global systems
that connect them. You will learn about the rapidly
evolving science at the heart of global environmental
change and discover new ways of understanding the
natural world. Your learning will equip you for future
employment and a lifelong appreciation of the world
around you. Global warming, volcanoes, glaciers,
oceans, and global systems: these topics fascinate
physical geographers!
In one of the UK’s most beautiful university
campuses you will learn about exciting and
spectacular landscapes while developing skills that
will be valuable in a range of different careers. We
offer flexible opportunities to carry out fieldwork,
laboratory research and other practical activities that
will give you confidence in a variety of skills.
Physical Geography at Keele consistently scores
excellent results for student satisfaction in the
National Student Survey. Recently we have scored
better than nine out of ten for being enthusiastic
about what we teach, for being good at explaining
things and for the organisation and smooth running
of our course. Our staff have won prestigious
National Teaching Fellowship awards and won
university awards for excellence in teaching for five
years in succession.

Course content

The course provides a broad based first year
followed by more specialised second year and
third year studies.
First year
The first year introduces essential academic skills
and a foundation of knowledge of the underlying
concepts and principles of the subject. We begin with
modules that provide a platform from which you can
develop your knowledge, understanding and skills.
Fundamentals of Physical Geography introduces key
concepts and information. The Practice of Physical
Geography sets the subject in a broader practical,
vocational and professional context. People
and Environment explores the links between
physical geography and society, including hazards
and resources.
Geographical Skills is a laboratory based course with
practical tuition in essential skills such as surveying.
Fieldwork is incorporated within the programme to
give you the opportunity to practise your new skills.
Small group tutorials provide a forum for individual
discussion and focused training.

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Second year
The second year develops a critical understanding
of more advanced topics and conceptual issues
in the subject, and helps you to establish skills
in independent research. Regional Landsystems
focuses on important concepts, sites, processes and
events in physical geography. Practical Physical
Geography is a laboratory class in practical skills of
data collection and analysis, including techniques
such as surveying, water analysis, and geographical
information systems. Research Training is a
laboratory class in which research techniques that
will prepare you to carry out independent research
within your studies or in your future employment.
Advanced Fieldwork involves an overseas field
course, typically to southern Spain or Iceland, in
which you can practice skills learnt in the classroom
and laboratory, and explore unfamiliar landscapes.
Dynamic Geographies is a module that allows you
to choose short blocks of lectures in key topics such
as geomorphology, hydrology, oceanography and
meteorology, and to begin to specialise in areas that
most interest you. You also have an opportunity to
study abroad for a semester at one of our overseas
partner universities.
Third year
The third year allows you to explore specialised
topics of your choice at the level of the most recent
scientific research, and to develop a range of
advanced skills. You also have the opportunity to
complete a research project on a topic of your choice.
You may take the dissertation or critical literature
review: an independent research project. You may
choose specialist option modules from earth and life
sciences, or from the following:
• Global Environmental Change
• Coastal Environments
• Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology
• Water Resources
• Natural Hazards
• Geographic Information Systems
• Inspirational Landscapes
and a range of additional Earth Science and Life
Science modules.