COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc Geography (Physical) degree at the University of Reading offers a structured exploration of the natural environment and the processes that shape it, combining scientific understanding with practical field experience. In the first stage, students build foundational knowledge through modules such as Skills in Geography and Environmental Science, Global Challenges: A Planet in Crisis, Restless Planet, Landscapes and Natural Resources, and a Field Class. These modules introduce key Earth system processes, including interactions between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, while also addressing global environmental challenges such as climate change and resource resilience. Students gain essential research and fieldwork skills through hands-on data collection and real-world case studies. In the second stage, students advance their expertise through Skills Training and Project Design, another Field Class, and Earth Processes and Hazards, which focuses on tectonic and geomorphological processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and landslides, as well as their environmental and societal impacts. This stage strengthens students’ ability to design and implement independent research projects. In the final stage, students complete a dissertation, an independent piece of research supported by academic supervision. Across the programme, students develop strong analytical, technical, and field-based skills, enabling them to understand physical environments and address complex environmental challenges in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.