Geographers are social and physical scientists who continually improve our understanding of the human and physical environments in which we live.

This Geography major explores the relationships between people, places and environments.

You will examine the opportunities and threats that communities are encountering – regarding urbanisation, globalisation and climate change, for example – in local, national and international contexts.

You can explore indigenous rights, migration changes and social movements; effective systems of local, national and international governance; and learn the processes of securing food and energy supplies for those in need.

You’ll also develop essential analytical and practical fieldwork skills, such as interviewing and surveying, mapping, participant observation and statistical analysis, recording field notes and writing demographic reports. This includes training in spatial analysis and mapping using ARCGIS.

This program also provides excellent opportunities to engage with industry – for example, with the Bureau of Meteorology, Canning River Eco Education Centre and the Southeast Regional Centre for Urban Landcare.

Included across all three years of this major is an Employability Program to assist students in considering their employment options and working towards a career in their area of interest.

Geography is offered as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You can enhance your studies with a secondary major or choose from a range of elective units to support your career goals.

When coupled with Economics you can complete this major as part of our Bachelor of Arts or our Bachelor of Commerce. Your choice will determine your core units.

You can also study this major as part of a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce double degree.

Why study

• Enrolling in the Geography major at Curtin places you in a diverse community of students from around the world, surrounded by leading researchers working in the Southeast Asian region and Australia.
• There is a worldwide shortage of trained geographers, couple this with the rediscovery of the discipline in the education sector and the employment market for geographers is growing.
• Geography is about being in the field and taking part. There are opportunities to learn outside the classroom and opportunities to study and work abroad.

Careers

• Natural resource manager
• Social assessment officer
• Regional development coordinator
• Landcare advisor
• Environmental assessor
• Geography Teacher*
• Planner
• Sustainability Officer

* after having undertaken a Master of Teaching in Secondary Education.

Industries

• Local government
• International development
• Disaster management
• Natural resource management
• Environmental assessment
• Education
• Regional development
• Sustainability