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Study online with Curtin University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Geography is designed for people who are interested in pursuing a career in geography. This Undergraduate Certificate may enable entry (and credit for the four units completed) into the Geography major within the Bachelor of Arts program, among others offered via Curtin OUA.

Take your first step towards studying geography at a university level. From local through to global scale, you’ll explore the main principals of human geography and physical geography, plus natural hazards in both developing and developed countries.

Undergraduate Certificate in Geography

Climate change and environmental stress more generally pose great challenges to humanity in every corner of the globe. Making human lives sustainable in such conditions involves meeting challenges which extend from securing essential food and energy supplies to developing viable settlements and social, cultural and economic institutions, as well as finding effective systems of local, national and international governance. The Geography Major explores the varied dimensions of social, economic and political change in an environmentally stressed world. It examines the threats and opportunities to developing and maintaining local communities within the context of regional, national and international processes.
Geography explores the relationships between people, places and environments. As our worlds have become increasingly interconnected, fast-paced and more complex due to technological and social change; symptoms of this speed and complexity include disconnectivity, restrictions on mobility and competition for resources. This makes Geography more relevant than ever.
You will learn how to integrate various perspectives in social research and natural science to identify practical solutions to issues surrounding: population growth; food security; migration; natural hazards; climate change; global cities; sustainable development; health and wellbeing; power and place; and, the emerging creative economies.

Investigate the relationship between people, place and the environment. Examine food security, population, energy, and the impacts of climate and political change. Geographers find work in planning, resource management, policy making and development.

Bachelor of Arts (Geography)

This degree is designed to provide prospective students upskilling in the discipline of geography and to increase their employability in fields such as education, community development, social planning, environmental management and associated consultancy based work. It requires no prior knowledge of geography. The course allows existing teachers to specialise in Geography.

Analyse the environmental, social and economic aspects of human activity. Delve into climate change, cultural diversity, indigenous perspectives and global best practice. Work in planning, development, environmental management, and agriculture.

Graduate Certificate in Geography

Mapping, Analysing and Visualising Data

Global Migration: People, Power and Mobility

Power and Place

Society, People and Place

Understanding Japanese Society

Physical Geography

Nature, People, Place

Geographies of Food Security

Fieldwork Skills

This subject provides an introduction and exploration of the main principles of physical geography applied to urban, rural and regional environments. A range of topics are examined in relation to both natural and human environmental processes. The subject recognises and appreciates diverse indigenous knowledges of physical landscapes. A strong fieldwork component provides opportunities for problem-based learning in professions that require a broad understanding of physical geography, such as education, rural and urban Landcare, environmental planning and geotourism. Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Map the physical geography of the planet as it relates to urban, rural and regional environments. Unearth tectonic plates and river systems. Look up to the sky and study weather patterns. Highlight the issues that affect sustainability planning.

Understanding complex issues and challenges affecting rural and remote peoples and environments in Australia and exploring solutions.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore the challenge of change in today’s rural Australia. You’ll cover planning, infrastructure, new industries, and innovation. Develop an awareness of the environmental, social and economic complexities of the Australian countryside.

Rural Geographies

This subject provides an introduction and exploration of the main principles of physical geography applied to urban, rural and regional environments. A range of topics are examined in relation to both natural and human environmental processes. The subject recognises and appreciates diverse indigenous knowledges of physical landscapes. A strong fieldwork component provides opportunities for problem-based learning in professions that require a broad understanding of physical geography, such as education, rural and urban Landcare, environmental planning and geotourism.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Map the physical geography of the planet as it relates to urban, rural and regional environments.Unearth tectonic plates and river systems. Look up to the sky and study weather patterns. Highlight the issues that affect sustainability planning.

This subject provides an introduction to human geography at the local-global scale focussing on the key concepts of place; space and globalisation. Topics include: population; migration; mapping; rural/urban change; and the relationships between people, resource use and the environment.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Follow the movements of humankind across global, national and local contexts.Dig into the fundamentals of population growth, migration and aging. Assess the environmental impact of human activity. Research the rise of urbanisation and gentrification.

Human Geography

This subject was previously known as Global Cities and Regions.This subject explores the key concepts and approaches for understanding cities. The subject draws on consideration of the processes of globalisation, gentrification and urban contestations shaping the social geographies of cities.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore urban geography in this subject that probes how humans interact with cities. Discover the origins of the city. Consider sustainability challenges cities currently face including globalisation and consumption. Ponder cities of tomorrow.

Urban Geographies

This subject was previously known as Places Landscapes Regions.This subject uses the concept of cultural landscapes, and the related concepts of place and territory, to understand and analyse the character and pressures on environments. The subject will equip students to understand, explain and apply geographical analysis to contemporary issues at different spatial scales. These issues include climate change, urbanisation, land use, human-nature relations, and ecological degradation. There is a strong emphasis on the development of technical skills using ESRI ArcGIS applications as they provide an excellent platform for exploring the layers of a landscape.﻿Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">Academic Integrity</a><a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank"> module</a>.

Cultural Landscapes

This subject is concerned with the mobility of human life and the contemporary and historical processes of migration. Drawing on findings from human geography, demography and political geography, the subject will encompass: the history of migration, spatial patterns of migration in Australia, settler colonial migration, international migration, the globalisation of labour markets, the complex ethical, economic and security concerns emanating from migration, skilled migration, population ageing, and rural to urban (and urban to rural) migration. Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

People have been relocating for centuries. So what are the patterns? And how does this affect us all? Study migration across Australia and the world – including rural to urban, and urban to rural. Consider ethical, economic and security impacts. 

Geographies of Migration

This subject was previously known as GPH11 Introduction to Human Geography.This subject provides an introduction to human geography at the local-global scale focussing on the key concepts of place; space and globalisation. Topics include: population; migration; mapping; rural/urban change; and the relationships between people, resource use and the environment.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Follow the movements of humankind across global, national and local contexts. Dig into the fundamentals of world population growth and movement. Assess the environmental impact of human activity. Explore the political links between geography and power.

This subject will provide an insight into the global food situation and the challenge to increase food production given the contexts of population growth and increased competition over access to resources. A range of topics will be examined through case studies from Australia, its region and worldwide. The subject recognises and appreciates diverse indigenous knowledges, perspectives, cultures and histories of food and food security. A strong fieldwork component provides opportunities for problem-based learning in professions that require a developing understanding of food security, such as education, government agencies, NGOs and tourism.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Review the status of the global food situation. Study supply chains and aid. Catalogue the challenges complicating food production efforts in the face of population growth.Weigh this against the environmental concerns threatening water availability.

This subject was previously known as Global Cities and Regions. This subject explores the key concepts and approaches for understanding cities. The subject draws on consideration of the processes of globalisation, gentrification and urban contestations shaping the social geographies of cities.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Forge an understanding of how globalisation, gentrification and other such factors have created global cities.Get a snapshot of the relationships cities have with their regions. Forecast the pathways that urbanisation trends will lead us down.

Course results for Curtin University Geography Short courses

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