Geography is a way of seeing the world focused on people, place, the environment and the interconnections between all three. Its roots lie in the exploration and description of Earth and its peoples at global, regional and local scales. Discovering how the world works and our roles within it are at the foundation of a discipline that aims to develop globally informed and spatially sensitive citizens. The Geography curriculum combines courses that emphasise thematic sub-fields and spatial skills; the three year programme introduces foundational studies at stage 1, specialised study in sub-fields at stage 2 and integrative and detailed study at stage 3. The student that emerges with a Geography degree from UCD should have a thorough grasp of the the traditions and skills that underpin geographic understanding and its relevance to exploring the modern world. Geography is often considered a bridge subject that connects the physical and human sciences and as such it complements a great many other disciplinary subjects. 

 

1 - Possess knowledge and demonstrate understanding of geographical facts
2 - Demonstrate an ability to understand the inter-connectivity of both the natural and human worlds
3 - Acquire a sensitivity and ability to interpret spatial patterns and differences at a range of scales
4 - Demonstrate an inquisitiveness for exploration and, more specifically, investigation of society-space relationships
5 - Acquire skills in spatial analysis and graphic visualisation, with a particular emphasis on cartographic techniques
6 - Be critically aware of the socially-constructed nature and use of knowledge
7 - Recognise the strong tradition of, and developed an allegiance to, geography as an academic discipline
8 - Be flexible and creative thinkers with an ability to apply knowledge and skills appropriately to a range of contexts
9 - Develop into engaged and responsible citizens

Making sense of our highly complex world demands sophisticated skills targeted at investigating, analysing, critiquing and interpreting phenomena. These are desired attributes of any Geography graduate, as is competency in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), which is in increasing demand across the public and private sectors. The combination of spatial understanding and technical skill is making geography graduates highly attractive to prospective employers. UCD Geography graduates have found employment as:

Educators at primary and second level, as well as in high profile national and international universities

Social science researchers and policy analysts with Teagasc, ESRI, NGOs and Government departments

GIS specialists working, for example, with the Local Government Management Agency

Planners in both local government and private sector consultancies

Many graduates pursue further studies on the structured master's and PhD programmes at UCD, as well as overseas.

Students must complete the two core modules and 15 credits of option modules.

Students must complete 25 credits of option modules.

Students must complete the core module and 20 credits of option modules.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
GEOG20220	Introduction to GIS for the Social Sciences	Autumn	5
GEOG20210	Fieldstudies in Ireland	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN3OF: Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
GEOG20040	Rivers, Estuaries and Coasts	Autumn	5
GEOG20140	Geography, Politics and Media	Autumn	5
GEOG20150	Quaternary Environmental Change	Autumn	5
GEOG20060	Weather, Climate and Climate Change	Spring	5
GEOG20130	Cities in a Global World	Spring	5
GEOG20170	Global Historical Geographies	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN3OF: Select a minimum of 3 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
GEOG30240	Political Geography of European Integration	Autumn	5
GEOG30370	River Catchment Management	Autumn	5
GEOG30790	Planetary Geomorphology	Autumn	5
GEOG30820	Development Geographies	Autumn	5
GEOG31070	Social Geography	Autumn	5
GEOG30020	Historical Geography of Ireland	Spring	5
GEOG30080	Geography of the Growth and Development of Dublin	Spring	5
GEOG30780	Quaternary Environmental Change in Ireland	Spring	5
GEOG30840	The Urban Environment	Spring	5
GEOG30880	Projects in GIS	Spring	5
GEOG30900	Overseas Fieldwork	Spring	10
GEOG30940	Global Risks and Resilience	Spring	5
GEOG31060	Population Geography	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: Students must choose a minimum of 25 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
Stage 4 Options - A)20CR: Students must choose a minimum of 20 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )
GEOG30240	Political Geography of European Integration	Autumn	5
GEOG30370	River Catchment Management	Autumn	5
GEOG30790	Planetary Geomorphology	Autumn	5
GEOG30820	Development Geographies	Autumn	5
GEOG31070	Social Geography	Autumn	5
GEOG30020	Historical Geography of Ireland	Spring	5
GEOG30080	Geography of the Growth and Development of Dublin	Spring	5
GEOG30780	Quaternary Environmental Change in Ireland	Spring	5
GEOG30840	The Urban Environment	Spring	5
GEOG30880	Projects in GIS	Spring	5
GEOG30900	Overseas Fieldwork	Spring	10
GEOG30940	Global Risks and Resilience	Spring	5
GEOG31060	Population Geography	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - A)20CR: Students must choose a minimum of 20 credits (Please note that GEOG30900 is a 10 credit module, whereas all other modules are 5 credits )

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHACS014	Stage 3 - 50.00% Stage 2 - 50.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47
BHACS001	Stage 3 - 50.00% Stage 2 - 50.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47
BHACS023	Stage 3 - 70.00% Stage 2 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47
BHACS027	Stage 4 - 50.00% Stage 3 - 30.00% Stage 2 - 20.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47