Geography, Environment and Development
Academic Contributors
- Gabriel Yong (Programme Leader)
- Norzurianie Hj Kamarulzaman (Coordinator)
- Shirley Chin Wei Lee (Coordinator, Tourism)
- Ahsan Ullah
- Dk. Noor Hasharina bte Pg. Haji Hassan
- Izni Azrein bin Noor Azalie
- Khairunnisa Haji Ibrahim
- Md Shafi Noor Islam
- Siti Mazidah Haji Mohamad
- Van Dao Truong
Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Environment and Development
- Master of Arts in Geography, Environment and Development
- PhD in Geography, Environment and Development
- PhD in Environment
If you are interested to join our postgraduate programmes, please contact potential supervisors from the list of Academic Contributors to discuss a potential MA/PhD research proposal and identify a suitable supervisor.
Programme Description
Development is necessary to ensure that a human population has adequate standard of living and potential for growth and advancement. It is essentially the creation of the human habitat, at the expense of the natural environment. The Geography, Environment and Development (GED) programme focuses on development and its connection to the natural environment. It examines processes and interactions in either or both spheres within the discipline of Geography, which is concerned mainly with the patterns and landscapes created. GED therefore covers natural dynamics such as atmospheric and hydrological processes and tropical rainforest environments, ‘human’ activities under urban economy and culture, globalisation and development, consumption, migration and mobility, etc., as well as sustainable development themes, such as sustainable cities, climate change impacts and adaptation, and environmental and social impact assessment.
Programme Highlights
In order to observe, map and analyse patterns and landscapes, as well as understand the processes and the factors that drive them, the GED programme comprises of three main strands that are common in the discipline of Geography:
- Physical Geography, Environmental Processes and Systems. These modules introduce the student to the understanding of the natural environment and its dynamics. It involves field studies, identifying environmental parameters and their interconnections, and use of systems theory. Increasingly, environmental studies include considerations of impact and management by human agencies.
- Human Geography and Sustainable Development Themes. Interaction among human groups or between people and their environment produces culture and cultural landscapes. These becomes increasingly complex with technological advancement that facilitate migration, travel and tourism, communication, transactions and exchanges in multiple dimensions. The student is introduced to a variety of methods, including field and online surveys and qualitative, quantitative and discourse analyses.
- Geospatial Informatics. Mapping is part and parcel of geography. Advancement in mapping technology and increased access to free global data sets have allowed for geographical studies with greater details and wider scope. GED has a computer lab equipped with ArcGIS sponsored by a local space services company. Field equipment are however limited to handheld sensors.
For further details on the GED Programme, you can see our 2023 Programme Highlights.
You can also read some Student Testimonials and get some info on our Postgraduate Students.
To keep updated on GED, please visit our GED Instagram account.
Careers
The world in getting increasing smaller, interconnected and global. It is also becoming increasingly concerned about sustainability issues and sustainable development, in particular, climate change. A GED graduate would be able to navigate through, engage and serve in such a world with the knowledge and skills gained over the four years in the programme. A GED graduate could excel in any of the following areas, whether as a government officer, professional, civil society member, entrepreneur, or corporate executive or employee.
- Development and planning
- Trade, industry and economy
- International relations and trade
- Travel and tourism
- Community development
- Environmental assessment and/or management
- Sustainable urban planning and development
- Development/environment consultant
- Sustainability/green business or services
Single Major
In order to graduate with a Single Major in Geography, Environment and Development, a student will need to have successfully completed a minimum of 72 Modular Credits within 4 to 6 years.
Please take note: The Geography, Environment and Development Major recently went through some revisions. As such, all students enrolled from August 2021 onwards will be under the revised programme. Please use the tabs below to see the core and option modules for the relevant intake.
Core Modules
AW-1201 Spatial Patterns of Development |
AW-1202 Introduction to Environments and Environmental Issues |
AW-2201 Research Methods in Social Sciences |
AW-4201 Research Project |
Option Modules
Core Modules
AW-1203 Emerging Geographical Realities |
AW-2201 Research Methods |
AW-4201 Research Project |
Option Modules