BSc in Geography

Written by Egerton University Webmaster

Saturday, 23 March 2013 17:09 - Last Updated Thursday, 07 February 2019 12:49

{tab=Introduction}
Geography is concerned with understanding the forces that shape the physical environment
upon which humans depend. Knowledge of geography will give students an in-depth
understanding of present environmental challenges and prepare them for a career in one of
several environment and planning related occupations.
This is a four-year program that provides students with the knowledge, core competencies,
and transferable skills for diverse careers in resource management; urban and regional
planning; education; industry; public administration; and business. The program provides
students with a range of theoretical, applied, and field-based courses in Geography and
students may specialize in courses that will emphasize resource management and/or urban
development. The curriculum proposed is a balanced combination of theoretical and applied
courses in Geography, including specialized courses in geographic information systems (GIS),
Remote Sensing and Environmental Analysis.

{tab=Justification}
The curriculum has been designed to ensure that students make the connection between
theoretical concepts and real-world events, processes, and situations. The goal of the B.Sc.
Degree in Geography is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire awareness,
appreciation and understanding of issues associated with the management of different
resources and sustainability of the environment.

This B.Sc in Geography program is distinctive as it will:

Offer an integration of theoretical, applied, and practical course work around two major
specializations ? Natural Resource Management and Urban Growth Management ? a program
that is not offered at any other Kenyan University;
Provide students with the opportunity to explore the scope and nature of geographic thought,
the philosophical and practical aspects of natural resource and urban growth management,
and assess the merits of qualitative and quantitative research ? program that is unique in
Kenya;
Encourage students to think critically, analyze problems, negotiate and mediate management
disputes, facilitate public presentations, and deliver oral, written and visual reports in an
effective way ? objectives that will be delivered across the curricula; Urban and regional
planning

Students will recognize and value the applied aspects of a geographic education, especially
the acquisition of GIS skills, spatial statistics and geographic communication.

Graduates of the BSc in Geography Degree find employment in many fields in both the public
and private sectors International Organizations, and Non Governmental Organizations
(NGOs). Geography Graduates are employed in a variety of jobs that include; Resource

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BSc in Geography

Written by Egerton University Webmaster

Saturday, 23 March 2013 17:09 - Last Updated Thursday, 07 February 2019 12:49

Planners, Hydrologists, Land Management specialists, Monitoring of Climate Change and a

variety of environmental related fields. The degree also provides perStudy Visitsfect grounding
for higher degrees and good graduates will be eligible to proceed to postgraduate courses
Masters and PhDs study in the Department or elsewhere.
Objectives

The aim of this program is to provide access to a large number of students who wish to secure
a B.Sc in Geography at Egerton University. The goal of the B.Sc in Geography is to provide
students with an opportunity to acquire an awareness, appreciation and understanding of
issues associated with the management of natural resources, including environmental
sustainability and provisions for accommodating future urban growth.

Key objectives of the proposed program:

? Provide students with an opportunity to acquire a B.SC. in Geography with a specialization

in Natural Resource Management or Urban Growth Management or an opportunity to tailor
their own B.SC. Major in Geography (General) by completing a minimum of 30 credits in
Geography courses to meet career or professional objectives; Deliver a balanced combination
of theoretical and applied courses in Geography, including specialized courses in geographic
information systems (GIS);
? Provide opportunities for students to engage in independent or supervised work-study
research projects;
? Deliver curricula that is relevant to the demands of employers seeking graduates with a
sound academic and applied background in Geography, especially in the areas of natural
resource management and urban growth management;
? Provide students with the opportunity to acquire a range of transferable skills, notably in the
areas of statistical and spatial analysis, remote sensing, and GIS;
? Encourage students to round out their education by choosing lower- and upper-level
electives in the arts, humanities, social sciences and/or sciences that will broaden their
post-graduate education; and,
? Deliver a program that will provide students with the opportunity to apply for graduate
school or enter such professional fields as education, planning, law, public administration, or
business administration.

Anticipated Contribution to Egerton University?s Mandate and Strategic

Plan
This program will contribute to Egerton University?s mandate and strategic plan by:
Improving access to another B.SC. option for students in Kenya;
Implementing curricula that promotes the development of analytical and creative thinking skills
and responds to the economic and social needs of the local communities;
Providing students with a high quality education using varied and flexible learning formats,
including up-to-date computer programs, research projects, and field trips ? all designed to

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BSc in Geography

Written by Egerton University Webmaster

Saturday, 23 March 2013 17:09 - Last Updated Thursday, 07 February 2019 12:49

assist students in acquiring hands-on experiences that will serve them well in the contemporary
workforce or graduate studies;
Ensuring a program that keeps pace with changing technologies in the workplace, especially in
the delivery of GIS education;
Subjecting the program to periodic internal and external curricular review.

Delivery Methods
Delivery methods used in this program include:
A mix of classroom-based lectures and labs (e.g., introductory Physical Geography, spatial
analysis);
Computer-based labs (e.g., GIS, statistics, remote sensing);
Field-based courses (e.g., field studies in geography, research project);
Research project ? independent or collaborative undertaking, under the supervision of a faculty
member and/or external supervisor (e.g., professional planner), will be an option for qualified.

{tab=Admissions}
In addition to satisfying the university entrance requirements, candidates for admission to the
Bachelor of Science in Geography program are required to have obtained a good pass (at least
grade B-) in KCE or its equivalent with at least any three of the following subjects; Geography,
Mathematics, Economics, Biology, Fine art, Agriculture or Physical Science.

Course Loading and Duration

The curriculum is a four year (or eight semesters) Degree Program of study runs on fulltime
term basis. In order to be awarded a B.Sc degree in Geography, a student must take and
successfully complete a minimum of 156 Credit Factors (CF). After common first and second
years in which fundamental aspects of geography are covered, students in their third and fourth
years will be allowed to choose some elective courses that would make them specialize.
Study Visits
The course includes study visits (Field Trips) particularly in years three and four, which will
give students the opportunity to apply their geographical knowledge within a specified
geographical theme.
Internship
At the end of Year 3 Semester 2, each student will undergo an eight-week Industrial
attchment/Internship/Practicuum
5.3 Dissertation
The individual dissertation is an important component of the course. A topic is selected by
each student in consultation with a member of staff. Such a topic will emphasize applied
aspects of geographical knowledge in solving various problems.
6.0 Course Coding
Coding of the courses offered by the Department of Geography is represented by GEOG,
followed by a three digit figure. The first figure represents the year in which a particular course
is being offered. The second digit represents the discipline of study; for instance 1-Introductory
course, 0-principle course. The third digit is the serial number of the course within that field.
E.g., GEOG 101 is a first year introductory course and the first in the series.

{tab=Examinations}

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BSc in Geography

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The assessment of students? academic achievement shall be on the basis percentage marks
and each course assessment shall consist of 30 per cent of Continuous Assessment and 70
per cent Final Examination at the end of each semester. Where a course is mainly of practical
nature, it may be examined wholly by continuous assessment and/ or practical assessment.

Student Evaluation

Lecturers will be responsible for assessing a student?s performance based on a combination of

exams (lecture and lab) and assignments (fieldwork and C.A.Ts). Participating employers, who
supervise students when on a research project, may assess the performance of the student;
however, the final evaluation will remain in the hands of the supervising staff member.

Grading

Marks obtained in examinations shall be converted into letter grades as follows:

A 70% and above Excellent
B 60% to 69% Very good
C 50% to 59% Good
D 40% to 49% Average
F 39% and below Poor

{/tabs}

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