Welcome to your course
Welcome to the BSc (Hons) Geography programme in the Department of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies at the University of Cumbria. We hope that studying Geography in the heart of the Lake District will inspire and challenge you. You are now starting out on a journey that we hope will transform the way you view the world, and will give you knowledge and skills that will equip you for the challenges facing Earth in the 21st Century.
Welcome Week has been designed to give you an interesting and enjoyable start to your BSc (Hons) Geography degree. During the week you will find out much more about the programme and who to speak to if you feel that you need any help. You will also get to know the staff, each other and students from other courses, as well as getting your first fieldwork experience of your degree.
Before you begin your course please take the time to download and look at the list of essential equipment and the summer reading list.
Dr Simon Carr, Programme Leader, August 2018
Any queries please email me on simon.carr@cumbria.ac.uk
Summer Reading
One of the key differences between school/college and university study is the importance attached to your own, independent learning. This is based on your wider reading and use of text-books, journal articles and other resources. To best prepare yourself for the BSc Geography, we strongly encourage you to read the following before you enrol and register at the University of Cumbria:
- Clifford N.J., Holloway S.L., Rice S.P. & Valentine G. (2009) Key Concepts in Geography. Sage: London 2nd Edition. Particularly Chapters 1-4.
- Holden, J. (2017) An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. Pearson: London 4th Edition. Particularly Chapters 1-2.
- Cloke P., Crang P. & Goodwin M. (2013) Introducing Human Geographies. Routledge: London 3rd edition. Particularly Chapters 1-2.
These three books will be extensively used throughout your degree, and offer an excellent introduction to many of the subject areas that you will explore during your degree. There are multiple copies of these texts held in the University Library, and e-book versions are also available, but you will find these books are a useful investment for your entire degree.
In addition, the following is a useful handbook for completing a degree in Geography, and is also strongly recommended:
- Kneale P (2011) Study Skills for Geography, Earth and Environmental Science Students Routledge: London 3rd Edition.
There will be specific reading lists associated with each module that you will be directed towards, and ask any member of the programme team if you would like advice on how to find and obtain these materials.
If you have any questions about your course, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Admissions team.
Essential Equipment
Your BSc (Hons) Geography degree will introduce you to, and train you in a whole range of Geographical skills, making extensive use of field, laboratory and classroom teaching and our comprehensive specialist equipment pool. However, you will also need to be prepared with the following essential equipment to support your learning:
- Pens and pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener for general purposes (lectures, note-taking etc..);
- Writing pads/paper for note-taking in lectures, practicals and seminars;
- Colouring pencils for field sketches and lab practicals
- Black gel/fibre pens (at least two) 0.5 or 0.7mm nib for cartography and diagram production;
- Retractable/propelling pencil(s) for field notes;
- Mathematical compass, Protractor, Rulers (15 and 30cm);
- Scientific calculator (NOT your phone!)
You will be issued with field notebooks and lab books for use in field and laboratory practicals, and laboratory coats are available to purchase from the department.
Personal Protective Equipment
One of the most distinctive aspects of studying BSc (Hons) Geography at the University of Cumbria is the amount of fieldwork experience that you will gain during your years of study in Ambleside. You will do a LOT of fieldwork, embedded within every module of the programme; this will give you a formidable range of practical skills and experience that no other Geography degree in the UK can match!
We will be undertaking fieldwork in all weather conditions, in all seasons, so it is important that you are properly equipped. There are no additional costs for travel and accommodation for fieldwork; however you do need to ensure your own personal safety during fieldwork by having appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). You will need to have the following PPE within the first few weeks of arriving in Ambleside:
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Walking boots
- Wellingtons for river work
- Woolly hat
- Gloves
- Fleece
During Welcome Week we will check and guide you on your PPE, and advise you on new or replacement equipment you may need to purchase. We have established agreements with many of the local outdoor kit providers in and around Ambleside where you can get discounts and we often have exclusive buying nights when stuff can be purchased at a further discount. You may like to wait to purchase waterproofs.
Due to the very wide fieldwork programme through your degree, in which you will be working in all conditions, it is important for you to be as well-equipped as possible so that you remain dry, warm and comfortable. As such, we very strongly advise you NOT to buy key clothing (e.g. waterproofs, boots) from ‘budget’ brands such as Regatta, Peter Storm or similar.
Other essential fieldwork equipment you will need are:
- Water bottle
- Personal thermos flask for hot drinks
- Suitable ruck-sack (minimum 18 litre capacity) with a waist strap
- Clipboard (we do provide weatherproof ones when the weather is very bad) but your own will be good for other days and quick outside exercises.
- Camera (you can use your smartphone of course, but sometimes a proper (compact) camera is much more useful)
Dr Simon Carr, Programme Leader, August 2018
If you have any questions about your course, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Admissions team.
