Second year geography modules

Absolute Zero

After seeing the thread Kellief put up I decided not to hijack her one and make this new one instead.

Can any geography students now entering third year or any that have completed the second year give any information about the geography modules on offer this year for second year?

I would be particularly interested in the physical geography modules but all information would be most welcomed .

P.s Does anyone know why they are not offering "Introduction to GIS" this year?. I was actually looking forward to doing this after seeing it on the modules list year but its not being offered as far as i know?. It seems like one of the most practical modules they were offering in second year

Michellenman

Take Hazards and Disasters!! Savage module!! It fills up super quick though cause it's capped at like 100 students so try register for it at the first possible opportunity!

tootyflutty

Absolute Zero wrote: »

After seeing the thread Kellief put up I decided not to hijack her one and make this new one instead.

Can any geography students now entering third year or any that have completed the second year give any information about the geography modules on offer this year for second year?

I would be particularly interested in the physical geography modules but all information would be most welcomed .

P.s Does anyone know why they are not offering "Introduction to GIS" this year?. I was actually looking forward to doing this after seeing it on the modules list year but its not being offered as far as i know?. It seems like one of the most practical modules they were offering in second year

They're not doing GIS this year? That was my favorite module! Actually considering doing a masters/post grad in it :O

My modules this year were culture geography, geomorphology, urban geography, the special topic module and the compulsary methods one.

As far as the physical geography is concerned, I guess geomorphology, methods and GIS are the only ones that fit that category. And seeing as GIS isn't an option, and methods is compulsory I won't bore you about those :P

This year we had Paul Gibson for geomorphology, and he is a good lecturer. He works through lecture slides which he puts a rough outline of, on moodle before hand, so you would be best to print them off before hand. He is a tough but fair marker, and with the lack of notes online, 100% attendance is most definitely advised. You have a big mid-term, that is focused on for the first half of lectures, but thankfully the week beforehand you are given a mock exam which you correct yourself. For the actual midterm, it wasn't until after that Paul explained most people fail/don't do aswell as hoped especially because he has a very high standard for marking. With this in mind, it is a nice module, and apart from lectures, there is little out of hour work, and no assignments.

Hope that is of some use, if you want to know whats covered in the lectures, or about any of the other modules I'll do my best to answer

Absolute Zero

Michellenman wrote: »

Take Hazards and Disasters!! Savage module!! It fills up super quick though cause it's capped at like 100 students so try register for it at the first possible opportunity!

Any reasons in particular why its a savage modules Michelle, I think its down as hazards and society this year.

I was definatly looking at putting it down for the second semester as the physical modules are sort of limited for that semester.

Absolute Zero

tootyflutty wrote: »

They're not doing GIS this year? That was my favorite module! Actually considering doing a masters/post grad in it :O

My modules this year were culture geography, geomorphology, urban geography, the special topic module and the compulsary methods one.

As far as the physical geography is concerned, I guess geomorphology, methods and GIS are the only ones that fit that category. And seeing as GIS isn't an option, and methods is compulsory I won't bore you about those :P

This year we had Paul Gibson for geomorphology, and he is a good lecturer. He works through lecture slides which he puts a rough outline of, on moodle before hand, so you would be best to print them off before hand. He is a tough but fair marker, and with the lack of notes online, 100% attendance is most definitely advised. You have a big mid-term, that is focused on for the first half of lectures, but thankfully the week beforehand you are given a mock exam which you correct yourself. For the actual midterm, it wasn't until after that Paul explained most people fail/don't do aswell as hoped especially because he has a very high standard for marking. With this in mind, it is a nice module, and apart from lectures, there is little out of hour work, and no assignments.

Hope that is of some use, if you want to know whats covered in the lectures, or about any of the other modules I'll do my best to answer

Yeah, it would happen that when I go into second year they would drop the GIS haha. Would you have any information on the biogeography modules tutty?

Although it may be boring could you explain about the compulsery methods module? just what it entails basically, i know its a 2 hour module once a week?

Ms. Koi

Hey!


In Semester 1 I took Methods, Biogeography and Cultural Geography. Biogeography was so interesting, a little tough as there is a lot to learn it in, but fascinating! It was really a great module, with the lecturer, Bettini Stefanini so approachable about anything.
Cultural was great too, groupwork was a little tough so be sure that you don't get landed with all the work. Very interesting module though.

Semester 2 I took Geomorphology, Global Water Resources and Climate and Glaciers.
I would say the same as tooty would about Geomorphology!
Global Water was really interesting. Many people didn't really enjoy it but it was a really interesting module. You focus a lot on where regions both in Ireland and globally get water and many issues that are being faced. There is a good bit on Water management, which was really interesting.
Climate and Glaciers was one of my favourites but it is very tough. I didn't do as well in it as I would have hoped. It does require a lot of extra reading and work, which if you're interested in it, it's not too difficult. I struggled a bit as it is quite statistical, but really really interesting none the same.

Any more questions just shout!

Michellenman

Oh is it still taught by Conor Murphy? I didn't do it last year, but the year before.

I just really enjoyed it, the classes were well structured and interesting. They weren't overly stuffed with info that was too much to take in, nor were you sitting in there falling asleep. The content was current and students were encouraged to use recent events as case studies and to refer to during exams and ICAs. Conor Murphy is also very easy to approach and very focused on helping students in any way. He also marks very fairly and it was generally very pleasant to be in his class.

tootyflutty

Absolute Zero wrote: »

Yeah, it would happen that when I go into second year they would drop the GIS haha. Would you have any information on the biogeography modules tutty?

Although it may be boring could you explain about the compulsery methods module? just what it entails basically, i know its a 2 hour module once a week?

Sorry, I have no idea about biogeography at all, was that an optional module for us last year? Kellief did some different modules to me, so she may be able to shed some light on that, sorry!

As for the methods class, it's very different to any other module i had done before. It's based around team work and class participation. You sign up for a two hour slot that suits you, and from what I remember it was every second week..I think
You form a group of 4 people, ideally each from a different part of the country. In class you do some very simple discussions and worksheets, and for the computer, it is extremely basic stuff, based around google maps, and copy and paste stuff, then a week or two on population graphs in excel, which is all shown to you, step by step.
You use these excel graphing skills, along with a local area project to put together a project with your group each on their own place with comparisons and contrasts to eachothers.
You submit the project on a large sheet, with graphs and text explaining your chosen topic (our years topic was change over time, and our group chose to do place and building use - change over time). The other groups grade you to a certain extent as does the lecturer, so make sure you make it interesting, and different to the other groups, for example, every other group in our class chose to do it their projects on physical land use change over time, so it got a little boring to listen to all of the groups talk about it.

Apart from that, you don't have an exam, and from what I counted on moodle, we had 15 little graded assignments throughout the year, though each assignment is a little bit towards the final project, so it doesn't really feel like you have done that many. Make sure not to miss and class, you can't afford to fall behind, as your group will have a difficult time trying to explain each detailed assingment.
Pretty sure that is everything

Absolute Zero

Some great info here im hoping it will be of use to others coming into second year too. Second year is already looking way better than first year. Im glad I chose to do the major geography now.

This may sound naieve but did you guys think that the physical modules were harder than the human modules? thats what I found in first year but the modules were so general in first year too especially the human ones.

Ms. Koi

Absolute Zero wrote: »

Yeah, it would happen that when I go into second year they would drop the GIS haha. Would you have any information on the biogeography modules tutty?

Although it may be boring could you explain about the compulsery methods module? just what it entails basically, i know its a 2 hour module once a week?

Regarding Biogeography, we had lectures on Biodiversity, Soils, Climate, Biomes, Ecosystems, Plant-Animal Interactions, Predation and Competition, Succession and Dispersion, Evolution, Early Life, Environmental Change, Ice Ages, Islands, Prehistoric Humans, Fragmented Habitats, Invasive Alien Species (not like the ones that come in spaceships ) and finally Extinction and Conservation.
All the different areas tied in with each other, bringing more information to each section. Anything else ya need to know?

tootyflutty

Absolute Zero wrote: »

This may sound naieve but did you guys think that the physical modules were harder than the human modules? thats what I found in first year but the modules were so general in first year too especially the human ones.

It was mixed. I found first year geography a bit of a joke, it is terrible! But second year, is much better if you pick the right modules for you.
I loved the GIS module, and culture was really interesting. I didn't particularly enjoy the geomorphology module, even though I thought i preferred physical geo.
The urban module was good too actually, I think the only one I would not pick again, was the special topic one. It lacked any structure, and attendance of other students was abysmal and thus put the lecturer in a foul mood the entire semester. That module was mixed physical, human and historic, and even with such diversity I found it really hard to get into.

Absolute Zero

kellief wrote: »

Regarding Biogeography, we had lectures on Biodiversity, Soils, Climate, Biomes, Ecosystems, Plant-Animal Interactions, Predation and Competition, Succession and Dispersion, Evolution, Early Life, Environmental Change, Ice Ages, Islands, Prehistoric Humans, Fragmented Habitats, Invasive Alien Species (not like the ones that come in spaceships ) and finally Extinction and Conservation.
All the different areas tied in with each other, bringing more information to each section. Anything else ya need to know?

Awesome, I am definatly doing biogeography, I love conservation, ecosystems and biodiversity.

Haha to bad theres no UFO's and aliens in it

Rafcam

How many modules do we have to pick for geography?

Michellenman

15 credits per semester if you're double honours and not european studies.

Rafcam

Thanks! If you pass by compensation, you can't do geography in second year, is that right?

Michellenman

Eh... I'm not sure actually what the geography department do.. I do know that that's the case with french though. However if you did the repeat exams in august and passed them then there was no problem getting in to second year. Perhaps it's the same for geography? Maybe email your year coordinator?

Absolute Zero

Geography of health? can any one body give some information about this?

ceez

Hi All!

Coming from someone who is back in Maynooth doing her Masters in Geography. My best piece of advice would be:

Pick what your interested in - if your anyway interested in the module - thats half the battle :cool:

And also, don't let friends influence your decision. You may be better at human geog modules than they are at the physical modules. You'll make other friends to sit beside! :rolleyes:

And also do look up the continuous assessments for each of the modules your interested in. If you feel that exams don't do you justice, then try aim on getting the ones your interested in and that have more CA through the year. However, If your not a CA person then go for the modules your interested in that are more relying on how well you do in the end of semester exam. Also take note of what kind of CA is involved - assignments or class test?

If you do occur any problems - don't worry about the capping - its not the end of the world. If you don't get them first time you register, there is always people dropping out of modules within the two/three weeks you have to change modules so you may get the ones you wanted.

I also suggest you "shop around" during the first week of college. I know its a pain- you don't have to go to them all; just the ones your not sure about and have't registered for them. From my last year doing geog, I found that the module descriptions given online can turn out to be fairly different to the actual modules themselves.

That's it really! Also just make sure none of your modules clash with you other subject if your doing double honors. My second subject was English, and because English is a set course i.e. you don't pick the modules I had to choose my Geog around them.

Finally, I cannot stress enough: Pick what your interested in - if your anyway interested in the module - Its half the battle doing them then

Best of Luck to all

Rafcam

I was just trying to pick what modules I'd like to do and I can't decide between the field trip and global water resources. The field trip sound like a bit of a doss, from what I've heard, but is it actually a lot of work? Just wondering if anyone who has done either of these can give me a bit of info about them?

tootyflutty

Rafcam wrote: »

I was just trying to pick what modules I'd like to do and I can't decide between the field trip and global water resources. The field trip sound like a bit of a doss, from what I've heard, but is it actually a lot of work? Just wondering if anyone who has done either of these can give me a bit of info about them?

Didn't do either but my housemate did the field trip one. I remember him thinking it was a doss in Septmber when he had 0 lecture time. But then had about 5 meetings in the evening he had to go to to do a project before he went, then said the field trip was grand (even if he was gone for St. Patricks day). Then in second semester they had to do a big write up and project and suddenly it was a big deal of a module.
It could have been that everyone seemed to leave it to the last minute though..

Rafcam

I think I'm going to avoid it to be honest, if I get in that is! How do you find out who our year co-ordinator is? Or who would be best to email about whether i can keep on geography?

tootyflutty

Sinéad Kelly is the second year coordinator, and really helpful! Or you could drop over to the ladies in the main office in the geography department?
If you are really stuck you could try emailing Mark Boyle, the head of the geography department, but I reckon you should only do so if you are really stuck

Rafcam

Thank you so much! I've sent an email now and hopefully I'll be able to keep Geography!

Daemos

I'm almost sure you're okay, but I won't swear on it

bettyboop1

CAn anyone tell me if it matters what modules we sick if we want to do secondary school teaching?for ex I want to do biogeography but on leaving cert curriculum there is nothing relating to that module,so would I be better doing something like geomorphology?also for second level teaching would it be ok to do just one physical and three human throughout the year,any advice is greatly appreciated!

ceez

bettyboop1 wrote: »

CAn anyone tell me if it matters what modules we sick if we want to do secondary school teaching?for ex I want to do biogeography but on leaving cert curriculum there is nothing relating to that module,so would I be better doing something like geomorphology?also for second level teaching would it be ok to do just one physical and three human throughout the year,any advice is greatly appreciated!

I did biogeography and there are a lots of sub-sections that come up in the higher level certificate geography course, e.g biomes, biodiversity, soils, climate. However I would put you off choosing your modules this way, as an arts degree doesn't mean your a qualified teacher. The Hdip in Education means your a qualified secondary school teacher in whichever subject and to have studied that certain subject's curriculum as well as other things.

From my days of wanting to become a secondary teacher a few years ago I was told to have an equal amount of human/physical geog modules, i.e. 2 human + 2 geog. But from what I make out with a heap of my friends going on to do the Hdip this year, it seemed to have not effected them - with a lot of them doing either mostly physical modules or human modules throughout their degree. It seemed to rely all on why they wanted to teach, teaching experience they've done and extra-curricular activities they could bring to the school they end up teaching in, which was all expressed in their personal statements for their applications.

So I wouldn't really worry about whichever modules you do really, it'll all be down to your application for your Hdip. I did both geomorphology and biogeography. Personally if I had to choose between the two, I'd go for biogeography, I found it so much more interesting and it varied in topics. Its very different and new, but really easy to study rather than the different names of the glacials and interglacials and all the dated of the land forming periods. Do what your most interested in and don't let me influence your choice

Absolute Zero

just to add another thing to this thread, They are now offering every student the chance to learn the basics of GIS in the methods class I believe.

Thats the reason its no longer a single module any more.

bettyboop1

THAnks very much ceez! I have decided to go with biogeography and social/cultural in semester 1. I went to first lecture for bio yesterday and it was so interesting,I'm so excited about it! and in semester 2 ill be doing hazards and society and urban geography,has anyone on here got much info on these? THanks again

tootyflutty

In third year they offer a geography and education module, so make sure to look out for that!