Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
The history of South African geography is the history of
Geography at Stellenbosch. Taught as a school subject since 1839, geography evolved into an independent university subject in 1914.
Since the 1990s, trends in the tertiary education sector combined to alter the structure of the geography department fundamentally, during what can be called its ‘geographical technology phase’. In 1995 the Department altered its name to Geography and Environmental Studies, an independent GIS laboratory was established and the Institute was transformed into a virtual entity – the Centre for Geographical Analysis.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies underwent major expansion during 2009 through two initiatives: a university Overarching Strategic Plan (OSP) focused on GIT and the incorporation of new and externally funded Centre for Urban and Regional Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE). These developments were augmented in 2011 with the incorporation of the Disaster Mitigation for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (DiMP), the forerunner for RADAR (Research Alliance for Disaster and Risk Reduction). Geography and Environmental Studies continues its tradition of academic excellence in its newly expanded format.
Exchange agreements exist inter alia with the Universities of Hamburg and Utrecht. Projects are undertaken in cooperation with these universities in GIS, tourism and urban studies.
areas of specialisation include -
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The BAHons programme focuses on GIS, urban or tourism analysis, disaster/risk management, and a research application. It is a taught programme offered in English in blocks on campus for one year full-time.
The
BScHons in GeoInformatics programme's focus falls on Geographical Information Science (GIS) and Geographical Information Technology (GIT), with electives in environmental analysis, remote sensing, and disaster/risk management. It is a taught course presented in English in blocks on campus over one year full-time. This programme is accredited for registration as a professional Geographical Information Science (GIS) practitioner.
Please take note: Prospective students who wish to study this programme should enrol as a student of the Faculty of Science. On completion of the programme, a BScHons degree will be awarded by the Faculty of Science.
Both the
MA and
MSc programmes entail geographical research on spatial problems in human geography resulting in a thesis.
The PhD in GeoInformatics programme entail research on a human-environmental problem from a spatial perspective, culminating in a dissertation that makes an original contribution to knowledge or that reinterprets existing knowledge.
GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The BAHons programme focuses on GIS, urban or tourism analysis, disaster/risk management, and a research application. It is a taught programme offered in English in blocks on campus for one year full-time.
Both the MA and MSc programmes entail geographical research on spatial problems in human geography resulting in a thesis.
The PhD in Geography and Environtmental Studies programme entails research on a human-environmental problem from a spatial perspective, culminating in a dissertation that makes an original contribution to knowledge or that reinterprets existing knowledge.
Urban and Regional Planning/Science
The
Master of Urban and Regional Planning programme, dealing with the study and solution of a relevant planning and development problem, is presented by the Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE), Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.
Candidates have the choice between 3 options:
- Option 1: to do a 100% thesis (180 credits); OR
- Option 2: to complete coursework (90 credits) and a 50% thesis (90 credits);
OR
- Option 3 (Two-year programme): to complete coursework (130 credits) and a 50% thesis (130 credits).
Coursework covers urban and regional systems analysis, planning theory, planning legislation, land use management practice and planning design.
This master's degree options 1 and 2 is offered over one year, full-time and in English.
The
MPhil in Urban and Regional Science programme is presented by the Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE) in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. The programme combines taught modules with a research project culminating in a publishable research article. Coursework covering urban network analysis, data acquisition and data analysis and applications in urban and regional systems is offered over one year, full-time and in English.
The
PhD programme in Urban and Regional Science focuses on systemic applications in the science of urban and regional systems. A candidate must demonstrate the ability to create new knowledge or to interpret existing knowledge about a geographical problem and produce a dissertation of about 90 000 words.
POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS
MASTER'S DEGREES
