Geography, Geology and the Environment

I’m delighted that you have chosen to study Single Honours Geography here at Keele and look forward to meeting you when you come to register in late September. I am confident that you will have an enjoyable, rewarding and stimulating time here at Keele, and that during your three-year programme you will be introduced to a range of new concepts and active research debates, learn a range of new skills, visit some exciting new parts of the world and make friends you’ll keep for life.  If you work hard and engage fully with what we have to offer, previous experience indicates that the programme will enable you to take advantage of a range of career opportunities when you graduate.

This web site will help you to prepare for your arrival, covering a range of issues such as the books you might like to purchase and what you will need to do during your first week. Our aim in Geography is always to be as helpful as possible before you arrive, whilst you’re studying at Keele and even after you’ve moved on to pursue greater things. Therefore if you have any questions or concerns regarding Keele in general or the degree programme in particular, please feel free to get in touch.

My colleagues and I look forward to meeting you when you arrive at the start of the new academic year and would like to wish you the very best in your studies here at Keele.

Best wishes,

Richard Waller

Email: r.i.waller@esci.keele.ac.uk
Telephone: (01782) 733179

Whilst everything you need to know will be explained during your initial week of registration at Keele, the first week can seem rather hectic and therefore there are some things you can do to help you prepare for the programme and university study prior to your arrival.

In addition to the following subject-specific list, please also make sure you have a look at University's welcome page, which contains all kinds of useful information about the local area, the University, what to do before you arrive, events taking place in the first week.

1. Find out about the degree programme

I will explain exactly how the degree programme works during an “induction lecture” in your first week. However, if you have the time, it’s worthwhile having a quick look through the Course Handbook (see additional info page) before you arrive so you’re familiar with the “key features” of the programme.

2. Things to bring with you

You should aim to bring the following essential items that will be of use throughout the programme:

• Diary  - an invaluable tool for organising your “academic life”. Alternatively, you can use an electronic organiser if you prefer.
• Modern atlas – so you can find out where things are located!
• 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey map of the local area (landranger map 118)  - so you can get your geographical bearings.
• Calculator – with basic scientific functions.
• Basic drawing equipment – pens, pencils, ruler, protractor and stapler.

3. Consider purchasing some core texts

In the first year in particular, much of the wider reading we’ll expect you to do as part of your studies will relate to a series of core textbooks. Whilst multiple copies are available in the library, it’s worth considering purchasing some of these books for your own convenience and interest. The book by Matthews & Herbert in particular is well worth reading before you come to whet your appetite for the course:

• Daniels, P., Bradshaw, M., Shaw, M. & Sidaway, J. (eds.) 2008. An Introduction to Human Geography (3^rd edition). Pearson Prentice Hall, Harlow. ISBN: 978-0-13-205684-7. Cost: c. £30.
  Provides background reading to the Year 1 Human Geography modules.
• Holden, J. (ed.) 2012. An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment (3rd edition). Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN: 978-0-27-374069-8. Cost: c. £36.
• Knight, P.G. & Parsons, T. 2003. How to do your essays, exams and coursework in Geography and related disciplines. Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham. ISBN: 0-7487-6676-6. Cost: c. £17.50.
  Key text covering the various study skills covered as part of the Year 1 tutorials.
• Matthews, J.A. & Herbert, D.T. 2008. Geography: a very short introduction. OUP. ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-19-921128-9. Cost: c. £5.
  As the title suggests, this small book provides a brief introduction to geography, its distinctive elements, its past and its possible future.
• Thomas, D.S.G. & Goudie, A.S. (eds.) 2000. The Dictionary of Physical Geography (3^rd edition). Blackwells, Oxford. ISBN: 0-631-20473-3. Cost: c. £25.
  Useful resource on key terms and concepts covered in the Year 1 Physical Geography modules.

During your first week at Keele, you'll focus on settling in, finding your way around, registering with both the university and your principal subjects and taking part in a range of activities that form part of Keele's new "Welcome Week", an extended induction week that is designed to help you find your feet and learn what university life is all about. 

International Students: If you are an International Student, then the following link provides details about what to do on your arrival at Keele.

The main welcome week activities for Geography are as follows (please note you will have an additional range of events and activities associated with your other principal subject):‌

Monday 24th September, 12-1pm (location TBA)  - Introduction to Geography & Subject Registration
This initial session will introduce you to myself as the course director and to the other students taking Geography as a Single or a Dual Honours subject. I will provide a brief introduction to the degree programmes, but will focus on ensuring you know what you're meant to be doing during your first week at Keele, how your timetable timetable works and what your goal is for the first year. It will also provide an initial opportunity for you to ask any questions and identify any teething troubles you might be encountering.

Tuesday 25th September, 1.30-3.30pm (location TBA) - How to make a Success of your Degree Programme
Life at University is different in many ways to life at school of college and this can appear daunting when you first arrive. This session will focus on the ways in which you can get off to a flying start and ensure that you make a success of your time studying Geography at Keele. We will in particular cover the key skills you will need to develop in order to make an effective "transition" into Higher Education.

Friday 28th Setepmber, 10am-1pm (location TBA) - Finding your Geographical Bearings
People often say that "Geography is all around us" and this self-guided field trip will encourage you to discover for yourselves the geographical highlights of Keele's campus. In so doing, you'll learn about the different resources and images we use as Geographers and hopefully find your "geographical bearings". We'll finish with a social event to celebrate the end of your first week as an undergraduate student.

Personal tutor meetings: During your first week, you will be expected to meet up with your personal tutor who for a quick chat and to check that you're settling in OK. I'll check that you know who your personal tutor is in the introductory session and you should be contacted by them to arrange an initial meeting.

As a Single Honours Geography student, you need to select a 15 credit “elective” module in addition to your core modules in geography. These are designed to enable you to diversify your year 1 programme by choosing from a broad range of options offered from the various academic schools at Keele.  To find a listing of the available modules, follow this link and select “geography” in the drop-down list next to the heading “Single Honours”.

You may have already received information on the elective programme as part of the University’s registration process and you can select elective modules either before you arrive (this will maximise your choice),  or during your first week at an elective help desk open during the first week of the semester.

Geography, Geology & the Environment offer a number of modules as part of the elective programme that may be of particular interest. A list of these modules and links to further information are provided below:

• ESC-10032: Global Warming or a new Ice Age?  (Approved Elective)
• ESC-10043: Greening Business (Approved Elective)
• ESC-10053: Dinosaur Planet

Study abroad

Please note that if you are interested in taking part in the study abroad programme in year 2, then you will need to take module CIE-10001 "Intercultural communication" in the Spring Semester. This can be taken as an additional module over and above your required 120 credit year 1 requirement if you wish to subscribe to other electives.

Further information you might find useful can be accessed via the following links:

• University Welcome page - contains lots of useful information for your pre-arrival planning.
• University Enrolment Handbook   - details on what you need to do during your first week (available early September).
• SHons Geography Course Handbook 12-13  – provides introductory information on the key characteristics of the degree programme.
• Keele University colour campus map and guide– will help you find your way around when you arrive (the William Smith Building is building 15).