University Of The Witwatersrand Geography

University Of The Witwatersrand Geography, Geography is a diverse and integrative discipline that bridges the natural and social sciences. At Wits, the BSc Honours in the field of Geography is taught by a team of academics who are passionate about their research and the topics they teach.

Programme overview

Why study Geography?
Geographers are well placed to find solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our times, such as climate change, natural disasters, land degradation, overpopulation and rapid urban expansion.
Why study Geography at Wits?
The Geography Division at Wits is rated in the top 100 institutions in the QS World University Rankings. Staff members contribute regularly to local and international publications and are members of the editorial boards of many prestigious journals. Our students benefit from the diverse expertise of our academic staff, all of whom are committed to research-based teaching.
The field of Geography includes the subdisciplines of:

• Physical Geography – including climatology, geomorphology, hydrology and climate and environmental change.
• Human Geography – including economic geography, urban geography, and human-environment interactions.
• Geospatial Sciences – including Geographic Information Science, Remote Sensing and spatial statistics.
• Environmental Management – including the policy and practice, water and air pollution, and disaster risk management.

Career Opportunities

Some career possibilities following a Geography Honours degree include environmental impact assessment and management (if eligible for SACNASP accreditation), carbon monitoring and reporting, environmental consulting, remote sensing, geographic information systems, policy engagement, science communication, tourism management and environmental education.
 

Curriculum

Honours programme co-ordinator 

Dr Jennifer Fitchett, [email protected] or telephone +27 11 717 6514
The BSc Geography Honours degree comprises two compulsory courses and three elective courses. You may select any three of the elective courses on offer. You may replace one elective course with a course of equivalent credits from another programme.
Compulsory courses:

• GEOG4032A  Advanced Geographic Research Methods: Block 1, 20 credits (Dr Jennifer Fitchettand Dr Alex Wafer)
• GEOG4009A  Research Project in Geography: Full Year, 40 credits (Dr Jennifer Fitchett)

Elective courses:

• GEOG4037A  Environmental Policy and Practice: Block 1, 20 credits (Prof. Mulala Simatele)
• GEOG4015A  Geographic Information Systems: Block 1, 20 credits (Dr Stefania Merlo)
• GEOG4033A  Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing: Block 2, 20 credits (Dr Elhadi Adam)
• GEOG4039A  Local and Regional Economic Development: Block 2, 20 credits (Dr Sian Butcher)
• GEOG4044A  Global Atmospheric Change: Block 3, 20 credits (Dr Jennifer Fitchett)
• GEOG4045A  Disaster Risk and Geohazards: Block 3, 20 credits (Prof Jasper Knight)
• GEOG4042A  Air Pollution and Synoptic Climatology: Block 4, 20 credits (Dr Raeesa Moolla)
• GEOG4043A  Integrated Environmental Management: Block 4, 20 credits (Dr Melanie Samson)
• GEOG 4034A Water Challenges in Southern Africa: Block 4, 20 credits (Prof Chris Curtis)

Entry Requirements

• An undergraduate BSc degree in complimentary fields relating to Geography.
• A minimum mark of 60% in Geography.

Additional Entry Requirements
Please note that this is a highly competitive programme and a 60% average does not guarantee admission.

Application Process

• Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.
• Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre. Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
• Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal, view academic application status, accept or decline an offer, apply and check residence application status, and generate a fees estimate.
• Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.