Geography is a problem-focussed and field-based discipline. It combines theory and evidence to explain the economic, environmental and political processes that shape the world around us.
Geography subjects at the University of Melbourne provide you with a specialist understanding of contemporary social and environmental issues, with a focus on Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Topics studied include: climate change, cultural change and diversity, economic changes and poverty, environmental politics, human mobility, natural hazards, sustainable cities, and sustainable development.
The major enables you to gain practical and relevant experience in the field.
Course Structure
A major in Geography consists of 100 points from a list of recommended subjects while a minor comprises 75 points. You also have scope to include a second major, or a minor in your degree. The following sample shows a major in Geography with a minor in Asian Studies.
| Major Geography | Minor in Asian Studies | Elective subjects | IDF | Breadth |
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | MULT10007 Knowing Nature | GEOG10001 Famine in the Modern World | Level 1 Arts Elective | Breadth |
| Semester 2 | ASIA10001 Language and Power in Asian Societies | MULT10003 Understanding Asia | Level 1 Arts Elective | Breadth | |
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | GEOG20001 Society and Environments | CHIN20007 Chinese Studies: Culture and Empire | Level 2 Arts Elective | Breadth or Free Subject |
| Semester 2 | GEOG20008 Inside the City of Diversity | GEOG20003 Environmental Politics and Management | CHIN20025 Human Rights in China & East Asia | Breadth | |
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | GEOG30019 Sustainable Development | GEOG30003 Geographical Thought | CHIN30002 Taiwan & Beyond: Chinese Settler Culture | Breadth |
| Semester 2 | GEOG30021 The Disaster Resilient City | CHIN30001 Classic Chinese Civilisation | GEOG30007 China Field Class | ||
Download the full list of 2011 Geography Subjects.
Career areas
Geography graduates have diverse and exciting careers, working in Government, Non-Governmental Organsistions, and the private sector, tackling problems relating to:
| Climate change | Community development |
| Conservation | Disaster management |
| Environmental management and policy | Housing |
| International development | Natural resource management |
| Planning | Social policy |
| Tourism | Urban development |
| Water resource management |
Graduate pathways
Students with a BA(Geography) can pursue further studies through: