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Department of Geography & Environmental Management

Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Geography, BA (Hons) in Geography

The Honors Degree Program in Geography conducted by the Department of Geography & Environmental Management seeks to produce Scholars, Innovators, Leaders and Global Citizens in the following manner: 

 

Scholars - The graduates produced by the Department have a comprehensive knowledge and expertise in Geography. The standards-based knowledge and skills will remain the central pillars of every student's learning, creating a deep foundation that enables further inquiry and exploration in a variety of fields and areas of interest. As lifelong learners, graduates in Geography will develop global, civil, and environmental literacies throughout their studies.

 

Innovators - Graduates of the Department have to be with a vision for future and solution focused. They are curious, critical and creative. They have freedom, confidence and ability to express their unique selves. Geography graduates will have an exposure and experience in a variety of creative and artistic forms and disciplines that serve to ignite their curiosity and enable them to find new pathways for expressing their unique identities and for exploring their own skills and styles. They will know how to integrate creative problem solving in their work and how to approach environmental problems and challenges creatively and from multiple perspectives. 

 

Leaders - Graduates in Geography have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to positively influence and collaborate with others. They will have the experience and the knowledge to lead others toward solutions and to manage the resources and decisions entrusted to them equitably and responsibly. Our graduates will display empathy for others and—having had abundant opportunities to work in teams with both peers and adults during their studies—will be well prepared to lead and collaborate, both inside and outside the workplace. 

 

Global Citizens - Graduates who complete our degree programme are expected to be able to appreciate the role of the university and are aware of global issues. They are equipped with an ability to navigate and engage in the 21st century global society that is more inclusive and interconnected. Students will be "multilingual," gaining exposure to or fluency in other languages that might range from English and Sinhala or Tamil to sign language and computer coding. They will display an understanding and a respect for different cultures, and possess the ability to connect across racial, cultural and linguistic lines.

 

Graduate Capabilities

There are six clusters of generic capabilities which the Department seeks to foster in all of its graduates through teaching and learning in the respective Honors Degree Programs of study. These, as relevant to the Honors Degree Program in Geography, are:

 

1. Disciplinary Knowledge & Practice 

 

Descriptor

Graduates are expected to understand the scope of research, theory and practice in the field of Geography and appreciate the role of their discipline in its contexts especially in the policy formulation process. 

 

This theme includes the ability to

  • demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of the core aspects of the area of study.
  • critically analyze data, make judgments and propose solution to problems.
  • construct and sustain arguments use these arguments ,ideas and techniques in problem solving.
  • use practical skills and enquiry efficiently within the area of study.
  • conduct research in the field of study.
  • operate fluently in the terminology, analytic methods and practices of Geography.
  • understand the wider trends and developments that have shaped the field of study.

 

2. Critical Thinking 

 

Descriptor

Graduates are expected to be able to contest knowledge and practice, critically consider ideas, texts and research and think reflectively and reflexively. 

 

This theme includes the ability to

  • think imaginatively and innovatively.
  • evaluate problems from multiple perspectives.
  • access information and judge its pertinence.
  • introduce new dimensions to existing ones in the domestic environment.
  • enrich domestic tools of thinking.

 

3. Solution Seeking 

 

Descriptor

Graduates are expected to be able to apply theory, analysis, research and creative skills to solve problems and make reasoned decisions. They are expected to be able to consider long-term and big picture perspectives to address complex problems systematically and to be imaginative in their solution seeking.

 

This theme includes the ability to

  • construct and sustain arguments and use these arguments, ideas and techniques in problem solving for a given situation.
  • consider long-term and big picture perspectives including, where applicable, sustainability and geographical, socioeconomic and environmental impact. 

 

4. Communication & Engagement  

 

Descriptor

Graduates are expected to be able to receive and interpret information, express ideas and share knowledge with diverse audiences in a range of media and formats. They are expected to be able to establish a rapport and build collaborative relationships with individuals and groups.

 

This theme includes the ability to

  • communicate/present information, ideas, issues and solution efficiently and effectively.
  • demonstrate awareness of the current developments in the area of study.
  • participate actively in teams and professional networks.
  • communicate effectively using ICT skills and media
  • adapt an artistic, design-based or discursive style to audience and purpose.
  • express ideas effectively in writing, speech, design, image and sound using English, Sinhala and Tamil appropriately and accurately.
  • chart and present data. 

 

5. Independence & Integrity

 

Descriptor

Graduates are expected to be able to learn and work autonomously and ethically. They are expected to be lifelong learners, to show resilience, proactively and an ability to make principled decisions in academic and professional spheres. 

 

This theme includes the ability to

  • participate in lifelong learning in and beyond their discipline.
  • exhibit resilience, independence and personal autonomy
  • demonstrate leadership, personal characteristics and attitudes that are consistent with ethical behavior.
  • understand the academic integrity and professional ethics within a disciplinary context.
  • learn independently and proactively. 

 

6. Social & Environmental Responsibilities

 

Descriptor

Graduates are expected to be sensitive to cultural diversity and to embrace difference. Our graduates are expected to recognize a role for themselves in creating a sustainable future and be able to consider the geographical, environmental, socio –economic, and cultural consequences of national and international issues. 

 

This theme includes the ability to

  • consider the wider implications of local and global issues.
  • adopt sustainability principles and practices.
  • demonstrate awareness of sustainability implications of world events
  • exercise cultural competence and appreciate diversity.
  • participate in community based projects.

 

Year I Semester I

GEO 111(3) Introduction to Physical and Human Geography

 

Year I Semester II

GEO 121 (3) Basic Cartography

 

Year 11 Semester I

GEO 211 (3) H +G+M Advanced Cartography and Field Techniques

GEO 212 (3) H +G Geomorphology

GEO 213 (3) H Environmental Geography

 

Year II Semester II

GEO 221 (3) H +G+M Basic Geographical Information Systems(GIS)

GEO 222 (3) H +G Climatology

GEO 223 (3) H Population Geography

 

Year III Semester I

GEO 311 (3) H +G+M Quantitative Geography

GEO 312 (3) H +G* Regional Development and Planning

GEO 313 (3) H +G* Bio Geography

GEO 314 (3) H Remote Sensing

GEO 315 (3) H Urban Geography

 

Year III Semester II

GEO 321 (3) H +G+M Human Resource Management

GEO 322 (3) H +G* Land Use Planning

GEO 323 (3) H +G* Recreation Geography

GEO 324 (3) H Advanced Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

GEO 325 (3) H Hydrology & Watershed Management

GEO 326 (3) G* Scientific Report Writing

 

Year IV Semester I

GEO 411 (3) H Research Methods in Geography

GEO 412 (3) H Natural Hazards and Disaster Management

GEO 413 (3) H Project Planning & Management

 

The Department has an authority to offer two course units from the following:

GEO 414 (3) H Medical Geography

GEO 415 (3) H Settlement Geography

GEO 416 (3) H Tropical Agro Forestry

GEO 417 (3) H Industrial Geography

GEO 418 (3) H Political Geography

 

Year IV Semester II

GEO 421 (6) H Dissertation / Practical Training

 

G* is required to be followed by the students who obtain Geography as a major subject in the general degree only.

 

 

SLQF Level:
General 05 | Honours 06

Credits:
120 (Hons) | 100 (General)

Duration:
04 Years (Hons) | 03 Years (General)

Medium of Instruction:
English/Sinhala

Delivery of Lectures:
Full time

Coordinator: