Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Geography with Economics

Academic Year: 2014/15

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Department of Geography - pre 2018
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award BSc (Hons)/BSc (Hons) + DPS/DIntS
Programme title Geography with Economics
Programme code GYUB02
Length of programme The duration of the programme is normally six semesters (three years), or eight semesters (four years) for students who undertake an academic year abroad (Part I). For students entering from 2014/15, the opportunity to undertake professional training via an approved industrial/work placement (Part I) will be available.
UCAS code LL17
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/geography/geographywitheconomics/

Date at which the programme specification was published Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:38:30 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • to provide students with an intellectually-stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in both geography and economics;
  • to provide students with the opportunity to study a broad curriculum in both human and physical geography and in economics;
  • to achieve, through the student learning process, a progressive improvement in academic performance over the degree programme;
  • to enhance students’ career and employment prospects on graduating by developing a range of transferable skills embedded in the programme.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Benchmark Statements for Geography and Economics

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • the potential applications of concepts within a broader critical framework;
  • the main methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of data;
  • the idea of academic disciplines as dynamic, plural and contested; developed within the broader frameworks of the sciences and humanities;

and within the Geography portion of the programme:

  • a range of environments, in the broadest sense, of environmental processes and the impacts of these processes on human activities and vice versa;
  • the ways in which representations and interpretations of the world are socially-constructed, and the forms of geographical difference;
  • the determinants of temporal and spatial variation in the physical, social, economic and political worlds;  and the significance of spatial and temporal scale on physical processes, human processes and on their interactions;
  • past patterns of environmental and social changes, and of the processes and conditions that have determined those changes, and the implications for the future;

and within the Economics portion of the programme:

  • demonstrate the attributes of a graduate in terms of possessing transferable skills, and the ability to analyse fact and opinion based on the evaluation of evidence;
  • communicate knowledge and analysis in an effective and objective manner;
  • analyse issues of economic theory and policy using up-to-date models and techniques.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. Develop a reflexive approach to learning.
  2. Abstract and synthesise information.
  3. Assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and arguments.
  4. Critically evaluate and interpret a range of evidence, including data and text.
  5. Undertake problem-solving and decision-making.
  6. Develop a reasoned argument.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

1. Combine and interpret different types of evidence including data and text.

2. Recognise and critically debate moral and ethical issues underpinning particular debates or enquiries.

3. Employ a range of survey skills for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and to use appropriate methods for the analysis of these data.

4. Design and execute a piece of research and produce a report.

Additionally, within the Geography portion of the programme

5. Prepare effective maps and diagrams using a range of appropriate technologies.

6. Undertake safe and effective field and laboratory work.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should show competence in:

  1. Verbal and written communication skills.
  2. Numeracy and computational skills.
  3. Field and laboratory skills.
  4. Spatial awareness and observational skills.
  5. IT and information handling and retrieval.
  6. Independent study and group work.
  7. Time management.

4. Programme structure

Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.  Individual modules taught and assessed over both semesters with a modular weight of 10 may count against either semester 1 or semester 2, depending on the balance of other modular weights between semesters.  Where the modular weight of a module taught and assessed over both semesters is 20, this shall be split equally between semesters.

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                        (total modular weight 50)

Economics

Code

Title

Modular Weight

ECA001

Principles of Macroeconomics

20

ECA002

Principles of Microeconomics

20

 

Geography

GYA106

Tutorials

10

Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES                        (total modular weight 30)

Geography

GYA002

Geographies of Global Economic Change

20

GYA006

Practising Geography – Residential Fieldcourse

10

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a modular weight of 10 from optional Geography modules.

Geography

GYA101

Earth System Science

10

Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULE                          (total modular weight 30)

Geography

GYA003

Quantitative Methods in Geography

10

GYA102

Geographies of Identity

20

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Geography

GYA110

Environmental Hazards: from mitigation to management

10

 

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

STUDENTS ENTERING BEFORE 2014/15:

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)        COMPULSORY MODULES        (total modular weight 40)

Economics (pre-2014/15 entry only)

ECB036

Macroeconomics

20

ECB037

Microeconomics

20

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 80 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2, of which at least 40 must be from Group 1.  Fieldcourse modules GYB328 and GYB901 in Group 2 are mutually exclusive.  Geography modules listed are the same for pre-2014/15 & 2014/15 entry students.

STUDENTS ENTERING 2014/15 & BEYOND:

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 80 from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2, of which at least 40 must be from Group 1.  Fieldcourse modules GYB328 and GYB901 in Group 2 are mutually exclusive.  For students entering from 2014/15 and beyond - in addition, candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 40 from Economics modules over semesters 1 and 2.

Economics (2014/15 entry only so for Part B in 2015/16)

ECB003

Introduction to Econometrics

20

ECB004

Introduction to Finance

20

ECB005

International Economic Relations

20

ECB015

Economics of the Financial System

20

ECB030

Energy and the Environment

20

 

Geography - Group 1

GYB210

Globalization

20

GYB220

Geographies of Social Difference

20

GYB230

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

20

GYB240

Environmental Systems and Resource Management

20

 

Geography - Group 2

GYB327

Geographical Research: Design and Practice (pre-requisite for the dissertation)

20

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Economics (2014/15 entry only so for Part B in 2015/16)

ECB136

Transport Economics

20

 

Geography - Group 2

GYB113

Geographies of Culture, Media and Representation

10

GYB311

River Ecology

10

GYB322

Lake System Dynamics

10

GYB328

Physical Geography Fieldcourse

20

GYB901

Human Geography Fieldcourse – Paris

20

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Economics (2014/15 entry only so for Part B in 2015/16)

ECB035

Economics of the Welfare State

20

 

Geography - Group 2

GYB110

Sustainable Urban Geographies

10

GYB201

Remote Sensing & GIS

10

GYB308

Forest Ecology

10

GYB320

Global Migration

10

GYB400

Exploring the Ice Ages

10

4.3       Part I

Four-year programme - During the year abroad, candidates may undertake either (i) an approved overseas placement as specified by, and subject to the approval of, the Department of Geography (GYI002); or (ii) an approved programme of study abroad as specified by, and subject to the approval of, the Department of Geography (GYI003).

Alternatively, candidates entering from 2014/15 on the 4-year programme undertaking professional training via an approved industrial/work placement will be registered on GYI004.

4.4       Part C - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose 40 modular weights from Economics modules over semesters 1 and 2 from remaining modules of the same title, not taken at Part B.  In addition, candidates must choose 80 modular weights from Geography modules over semesters 1 and 2.  GYC400 and GYC401 (instances 1 & 2) are mutually exclusive, as are fieldcourse modules GYC308, GYC903 and GYC908. 

Economics

ECC011

Introduction to Econometrics

20

ECC012

Introduction to Finance

20

ECC013

International Economic Relations

20

ECC014

Economics of the Financial System

20

ECC016

Energy and the Environment

20

 

Geography

GYC400

Dissertation

30

The modular weight of GYC400 may be split between semesters in the ratio of either 20:10 or 10:20 depending on the balance of other modular weights selected.

Semester 1

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Economics

ECC019

Transport Economics

20

 

Geography

GYC104

Quaternary Environments

10

GYC107

Regional Geography of the UK

20

GYC208

Aeolian Processes and Landforms

20

GYC211

Snow, Ice and Environment

10

GYC212

Globalised Urbanisation

20

GYC214

Geographies of Children and Youth

10

GYC309

Feminist Geographies of Home

10

GYC315

Environmental Change and Ecological Response

10

GYC401

Independent Geographical Essay (instance 1)

20

GYC903

Alpine Studies Fieldcourse

20

Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES

Economics

ECC017

Economics of the Welfare State

20

 

Geography

GYC108

Climate and Society

20

GYC110

GIS Modelling and Flood Risk Management

10

GYC200

Conservation: Principles and Practice

10

GYC205

Central America: Dependency and Development

10

GYC308

Global Cities Fieldcourse – New York

20

GYC325

Geographies of Transnational Mobility and Diaspora

20

GYC401

Independent Geographical Essay (instance 2)

20

GYC908

Mediterranean Rural Spaces Fieldcourse

20

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

In accordance with Regulation XI, a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed GYI002 or GYI004 in the programme of study required for Part I.

In accordance with Regulation XI, a Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) will be awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed GYI003 in the programme of study required for Part I.

Subject to the exception specified below, provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP). 

Candidates who have accumulated fewer than 60 credits in any Part of the programme may not undergo re-assessment in the University’s SAP.  Re-assessment in the SAP will also not be available for certain modules and this is indicated in individual module specifications.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.

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