Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course introduces students to core theories and concepts in human geography. The first half of the course focuses on core themes, including political, economic, and cultural elements of geography. Students will learn a range of issues relating to contemporary globalisation. The latter half of the course focuses on urban service analysis in terns of the role that geographers play in analysing crime, housing and health. Finally, a series of urban models is presented which help to describe and explain the basic function of cities and the behaviour of their residents. Hands- on practical exercises supplement classroom learning.
Course requirements
Assumed background
As an introductory subject, no prior study of geography or planning is assumed. Students from any degree program are welcome to take this course as an elective. Students intending to major in geography, environmental management, social science, and planning will find the course a fundamental building block for more specialised one courses in subsequent years of study.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
GEOS1200
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Demonstrator
Dr Mubeen Ahmad
Ms Kamila Demkova
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course provides an overview and a basic understanding of the following: core concepts in the subdisciplines of political geography; cultural geography; and, economic geography; service analysis of housing and health; data and models in geography.
These aims are reinforced through an integrated combination of lecture materials, pracs, and assessments.ﾠ
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical Exercises 1-10
|
50% (5% Each) |
1) Practical Exercise 1: 20/08/2025 10:00 am 2) Practical Exercise 2: 27/08/2025 10:00 am 3) Practical Exercise 3: 3/09/2025 10:00 am 4) Practical Exercise 4: 10/09/2025 10:00 am 5) Practical Exercise 5: 17/09/2025 10:00 am 6) Practical Exercise 6: 24/09/2025 10:00 am 7) Practical Exercise 7: 8/10/2025 10:00 am 8) Practical Exercise 8: 15/10/2025 10:00 am 9) Practical Exercise 9: 22/10/2025 10:00 am 10) Practical Exercise 10: 29/10/2025 10:00 am |
| Examination |
End of Semester Examination
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Practical Exercises 1-10
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 50% (5% Each)
- Due date
1) Practical Exercise 1: 20/08/2025 10:00 am
2) Practical Exercise 2: 27/08/2025 10:00 am
3) Practical Exercise 3: 3/09/2025 10:00 am
4) Practical Exercise 4: 10/09/2025 10:00 am
5) Practical Exercise 5: 17/09/2025 10:00 am
6) Practical Exercise 6: 24/09/2025 10:00 am
7) Practical Exercise 7: 8/10/2025 10:00 am
8) Practical Exercise 8: 15/10/2025 10:00 am
9) Practical Exercise 9: 22/10/2025 10:00 am
10) Practical Exercise 10: 29/10/2025 10:00 am
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09
Task description
Course practicals are designed to complement students' familiarity with content presented in lectures. Each prac has been constructed to enhance lecture materials by giving the students to learn by applying a diverse range of tools. These are designed to build familiarity with core concepts, but also to pique students' interests in various geographic subdisciplines.
Students will be presented with 10 exercises over the course of the semester. At the beginning of each prac, the demonstrator will review the exercise topic and provide a brief demonstration of how to perform each. Students will work on their exercises in their assigned practical session, noting that the assessment can be completed afterward at home. Completed exercises should be submitted via Blackboard one week later (7 days after prac).
NB: Many of the practical exercises require students to collect and/or enter data. These exercises cannot be completed without student data. Students will therefore not be awarded marks for data entry components of the practical exercises if not completed on the day of their assigned practical session.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.
For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
End of Semester Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
Students will sit an invigilated end-of-semester exam that covers content from the entire course. This will consist of essay-style questions assessing comprehension of course themes and concepts.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Additional course grading information
Assessment Hurdle
In order to pass this course, you must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):
- Students must achieve at least 20 out of 50 (40%) on the practical component of the assessment to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3 you may be eligible for supplementary assessment.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
Supplementary assessment is not available if you have failed the practical component of this course. The learning objects of the laboratory components are demonstrated throughout the semester and it is not possible to validly reassess these learning objectives in the supplementary assessment period.
Supplementary assessment can take any form such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment. If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension
For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184
Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Students will be notified of additional learning resources during semester and are required to check the course Blackboard site on a regular basis. It is highly recommended for students to push their Blackboard notifications to their UQ email.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Course Introduction and Key Concepts Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
Week 2 |
Practical |
Practical #1 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Core Theories in Human Geography Central Place Theory, Rank-Size Rule Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 3 |
Not Timetabled |
EKKA HOLIDAY--NO LECTURES OR PRACS THIS WEEK Learning outcomes: L09 |
Week 4 |
Practical |
Practical #2 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Political Geography I Nations, States, and Nation-States Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 5 |
Practical |
Practical #3 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Political Geography II Cultural and Cultural Analysis Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 6 |
Practical |
Practical #4 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Globalisation I Development and the Global Economy Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 7 |
Practical |
Practical #5 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Globalisation II Resistance and Conflict Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 8 |
Practical |
Practical #6 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Globalisation III Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 9 |
Practical |
Practical #7 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Time Geographies Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 10 |
Practical |
Practical #8 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Service Analysis I Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 11 |
Practical |
Practical #9 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Service Analysis II Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
|
Week 12 |
Lecture |
Data & Models in Human Geography I Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
Practical |
Prac #10 Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
|
Week 13 |
Lecture |
Data & Models in Human Geography II Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L09 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.