Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Rationale:

Physical Geography is a fundamental component of Geography. Understanding of the Physical Environment is essential for all Geographies as it underpins environmental management and gives essential context to, and widens our understanding of, patterns of human activity. Physical Geographical knowledge informs human interactions with a changing and dynamic environment. This module provides a ‘spring-board’ for more specialised Physical Geography modules in stages 2 & 3.

Aim: to provide an introduction to Physical Geography.

Specific aims:
(1) To provide an introduction to Earth’s main physical systems, with a focus on the Cryosphere, Hydrosphere and Lithosphere.
(2) To provide understanding of the causes of change within these systems over a range of timescales.
(3) To provide an introduction to the methods and approaches used in Physical Geographical investigation.
(4) To provide understanding of how the study of Physical Geography can address pressing environmental and societal challenges.
(5) To showcase the breadth of research-led teaching at Newcastle and provide the foundation to follow these Physical Geography themes through the degree.
(6) To provide an introduction to the main modes of assessment that will be used to investigate the natural world at University level and beyond – essays and practical reports.
(7) To provide an understanding of the role of Physical Geographers in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Outline Of Syllabus

Environment and climate changes of the past
The Cryosphere
Atmospheric processes
Modern process-form relationships with a range of geomorphological environments
Geohazards and risk

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

(1) Understanding of the nature and scope of Physical Geography.
(2) Understanding of methods and techniques employed by Physical Geographers.
(3) Understanding of the Earth’s major natural systems.
(4) Understanding of the relationship between processes and forms with a range of process domains and across a range of time-scales.
(5) Understanding of how the Earth’s major systems have changed in the past over a range of timescales.
(6) Understanding of the importance of Physical Geographical knowledge for human activity and environmental management.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. Ability to synthesise and summarise information from literature.
2. Ability to evaluate competing arguments and approaches to physical geography problems.
3. Ability to interpret and critically analyse data about the natural world.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will provide an overview of the principals of Physical Geography across a range of environments. Lectures will be grouped into five thematic blocks that reflect Physical Geography staff expertise and pathways through Stages 2 and 3.

Structured Guided Learning Activities will allow students to enhance their learning by engaging with varied datasets about the natural world.

Timetabled drop-in / surgery sessions will provide a set time for students to work through the data interpretation tasks in the Structured Guided Learning Activities, and allow them to discuss these topics and raise questions with staff. These sessions will also allow students to discuss the lecture content thereby consolidating their learning.

A virtual lab tour will allow students to engage with the facilities, techniques and equipment introduced in the lectures and to be used on future field courses.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessed 1200 word report will test students' ability to synthesise and interpret geographical datasets relating to content from the lectures and a structured guided learning activity, supported by independent research.

Multiple choice question (exam) held in 24 hour window will test students' understanding of the physical geography processes and theories introduced in the lectures.

General Notes

N/A