GEOGRAPHY
Board Developed Course (ATAR) - 2 Units
Geography is intended for students interested in understanding the interactions between people, places and environments across local, national and global scales.It is ideal for those passionate about exploring environmental management, urban planning, sustainability and global development.
The course caters to students aspiring to pursue careers in environmental science, urban planning, international development, resource management and geography education.
The study of Geography emphasises the development of research, analytical and fieldwork skills, including the ability to interpret spatial data, analyse geographical processes and evaluate environmental strategies. Students learn to write with clarity and precision, producing well-structured extended responses and case study analyses that reflect a deep understanding of environmental and human geography.
PRE-REQUISITES
There are no formal pre-requisites for Geography. However, strong analytical skills, reading comprehension and structured extended response writing are highly beneficial due to the course’s emphasis on spatial analysis, fieldwork research and evidence-based evaluation of geographical processes.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Year 11 Topics
• Earth’s Natural Systems
• People, Patterns and Processes
• Human–Environment Interactions
• Geographical Investigation
Year 12 Topics
• Global Sustainability
• Rural and Urban Places
• Ecosystems and Global Biodiversity
HSC EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
The HSC examination for Geography is a three-hour written paper that consists of four sections worth a total of 100 marks.
The examination assesses student understanding through a combination of objective-response, short-answer and extended-response questions.
Extended responses have an expected length of approximately 800 words.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS COURSE
The course includes mandatory fieldwork that explores ecosystems, natural landscapes, urban developments and environmental management sites. These experiences enable students to engage directly with geographical features and management strategies, deepening their understanding of real-world environmental and urban challenges.
Further information is available on the NESA website.
If a student qualifies, the Geography Life Skills Course is available in mainstream classes. More information on Life Skills courses can be found here.