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Honours in the Department of Geography
Honours in the Department of Geography
Students accepted into the Honours programme may read for a BSc(Hons), BA(Hons) or a BSocSc(Hons) degree in the Geography Department, depending on their undergraduate degree and curriculum. The Department of Geography offers separate Honours degrees in Geography and Environmental Water Management. In all cases, students are required to complete four modules, submit a research project proposal, a research project, and present a number of seminars. At the start of the academic year, all students will attend an orientation programme, which includes a field trip. Other field trips (which may be scheduled during a vacation) may be compulsory for particular Honours modules and students may be expected to attend the annual Geography Students Conference. Obviously, the modules offered are subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Honours Degrees in the Department of Geography
Honours Degrees in the Department of Geography
Geography
Geography
Students are required to take the Research Philosophy and Methodology module and select three other courses from those offered by the Department. Our modules reflect the interests of the staff members and normally include a selection from the following: Geographical Information Systems (an appropriate undergraduate course in GIS is a prerequisite); Climate Change & Extreme Events; Critical Urban Geographies and Visions for the Future; Spatial Planning and Governance; Earth Observation in a Changing World; Tools for Wetland Assessment.
Environmental Water Management
Environmental Water Management
Environmental Water Management Honours is offered in collaboration with the Institute for Water Research. Candidates must be in possession of an appropriate Bachelor's degree, normally majoring in at least one of Geography, Environmental Science or Hydrology. This degree aims to equip students with the conceptual understanding and practical knowledge needed to make an effective contribution to the sustainable management of catchment systems and their associated water resources. Students are required to take Research Philosophy and Methodology and Integrated Catchment Management and select two other courses from those offered through the Department of Geography or the Institute for Water Research, all of which must have a focus on water. The research project must be 'water' related and approved by the Head of Department.
Joint Honours Degrees
Joint Honours Degrees
Part of the Geography degree may be with modules from other departments. Where approximately 50% of a student's courses are examined in another department, a joint degree may be awarded (for example, Honours in Geography & Environmental Science). Any combined degree must be agreed to by both Heads of Department concerned, and in the Faculty of Humanities, by the Humanities Higher Degree Committee.
Honours Courses in the Department of Geography &
Honours Courses in the Department of Geography &
Institute for Water Research
Institute for Water Research
The courses in outlined boxes are compulsory for the respective degrees and those in green are electives.
Courses are normally five 'contact' weeks and students are required to spend 40 hours per week engaged with each course's learning activities. Students MAY NOT take two courses simultaneously. You are required to spend a minimum of 10 weeks (at 40 hours per week) on your research project at such times as no courses are being done.
The marks total comprises 25% for the research project, and 75% for the 4 modules.
Welcome to the Geography and EWM Honours’ Class of 2026!
Welcome to the Geography and EWM Honours’ Class of 2026!
We are excited to meet you all and guide you through the next level of your studies. The year is going to be jam-packed with courses, field trips, research projects, and a lot of fun along the way. That being said, an Honours Degree is the bridge between your undergraduate degree and postgraduate studies and, therefore, it should be challenging – it is designed to expand your knowledge, understanding and competencies after all.
You will need to arrive in Makhanda by the morning of 2 February. To kick off the year, you are going to have an Honours Orientation Week from 2-8 February. During this week you will be welcomed to the department, registered, given the keys to your new office space, undergo some training for your jobs as tutors and demonstrators, and we are going to go on an overnight trip for some fun and relaxation.
Your first course will commence on February 10th and this will form the introduction and core of your degree. The course, titled Research Philosophy and Methodology, will involve all staff and be coordinated by Prof. Ian Meiklejohn. In the course, you will learn all about academic research and start developing the research project that you will be undertaking during the year. Once this course is completed, you will have developed a research proposal, and you will then move on to one of your other courses.
Field Trips and Conferences
Field Trips and Conferences
Most courses have a field component that students must attend. All students will present their research at an open departmental seminar day and at the SSAG students conference.
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