Examination Board: EdExcel
Syllabus: No: 3310
Examination Date: June 2007

WHY STUDY GEOGRAPHY?

Geography is a good broad based subject to do at GCSE – involving essay writing and the use and interpretation of statistics. It is an essential choice if you want to study Geography or Environmental Science A level.
Emphasis is placed on an awareness of the ways in which people and the environment interact and topical case studies are used to examine the opportunities, challenges and constraints that face people in different places.

Topics you are to cover will include the study of the Three Gorges Dam in China; Mississippi floods and coastal defences in Norfolk; cities and settlements and the decline of traditional industries.

In addition you will develop the use of geographical techniques such as map reading, interpretation of photographs, sketch maps and fieldwork making for an extremely interesting, varied and challenging course.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

The course comprises a set of four core units and two option units, which give a broad overview of the subject. They cover both physical and human geography, e.g. rivers, coasts, glaciers, population, settlement, industry, weather and tourism.

CORE UNITS

i. The Physical world – Rivers, Coasts & Glaciers
ii. The Human World – Population, Migration & Settlement
iii. The Economic World – Industry & Agriculture
iv. The Natural World – Atmosphere, Climate and Ecosystems

OPTION UNITS

i. Management of Environments – and management of rivers and coasts.
ii. Management of Tourism - Fragile environments such as tourist honey spots.

EXAMINATION FORMAT
PAPER 1 Core Units _ 45 %
PAPER 2 Option units _ 30 %
COURSEWORK _ 25 %

The coursework component accounts for 25% of the final mark and is probably the most rewarding part of the syllabus.

A geographical investigation must be proposed, hypotheses suggested, fieldwork undertaken, the data analysed and conclusions drawn. Extensive help can be given with most stages of the coursework and with planning and commitment it can provide a big first step towards a top grade.