The defining characteristic of geographical research is the way it generates new knowledge about biophysical and human environments by the novel integration of conceptual ideas and methodological practices. This tradition allows geographers to innovatively address key global problems, including the quest for greater sustainability, the need for social and environmental justice, the dilemmas of climate change, and the promise and contradictions of a globalised world. In this unit of study you will develop an understanding of how this 'geographical way of thinking' shapes how professional geographers go about their research, their professional practice, and how this shapes their imprint on global knowledge creation. In the first section of this unit, you will engage in active debate with teaching staff and fellow students about the key pillars of geographical knowledge, and how they are employed in real-life settings. In the second section of the unit, students will divide into groups based around their research interests, with each group developing deeper practical skills relating to a specific methodology (for example GIS applications; qualitative methods; geochemical analysis, etc). Upon completing this unit, you will have the background context and deeper technical skills relevant for a geographical research project.

Geology and Geophysics are wide-ranging disciplines with specialisations or research topics that involve varying degrees of field work, laboratory analysis, computer modelling, etc. One of their defining characteristics is the need to respond to unique real-world challenges with innovative combinations of acquired knowledge and new research. As environmental and climate challenges multiply and the need for sustainable resource practices intensifies, geologists and geophysicists must continually respond with new strategies for a changing planet. In GEOL4101 and GEOL4102, you will develop the ability to enhance your skill sets in response to specific research challenges. The units are designed to flexibly address your particular research needs by allowing you to select the most relevant two modules from a variety of offerings that include intensive workshop courses developed within the School, field studies in relevant terranes or environments, or short collaboration projects with external institutions or organisations. The units also provide the flexibility to allow the creation of your own unique module that targets your field of investigation. Upon completing these units, you will have gained a deeper understanding of your sub-discipline and research area early in your Honours year, which will facilitate an independent and novel scientific contribution in your field.

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough". This quote is widely attributed to Albert Einstein, but regardless of its provenance, it suggests that one measure of an expert's knowledge can be found in their ability to translate complex ideas so that they are accessible to anyone. The communication of science to the public is essential for science and society. In order to increase public understanding and appreciation of science, researchers must be able to explain their results, and the wider context of their research, to non-experts. This unit will explore some theoretical foundations of science communications, identify outstanding practitioners and empower students to produce effective science communication in different media. In this unit you will learn the necessary skills and techniques to tell engaging and informative science stories in order to bring complex ideas to life, for non-expert audiences. By undertaking this unit you will develop a greater understanding of the wider context of your honours unit, advance your communication skills and be able to explain your honours research to non-expert audiences such as friends, family or future employers. These transferable skills will equip you for future research - where emphasis is increasingly placed on public communication and/or outreach - or professional pathways - where effective communication of complex ideas is highly valued.

In the contemporary world, a wide variety of ethical concerns impinge upon the practice of scientific research. In this unit you will learn how to identify potential ethical issues within science, acquire the tools necessary to analyse them, and develop the ability to articulate ethically sound insights about how to resolve them. In the first portion of the unit, you will be familiarised with how significant developments in post-World War II science motivated sustained ethical debate among scientists and in society. In the second portion of the unit, you will select from either a Human Ethics module or an Animal Ethics module and learn the requirements of how to ensure your research complies with appropriate national legislation and codes of conduct. By undertaking this unit you will develop the ability to conduct scientific research in an ethically justifiable way, place scientific developments and their application in a broader social context, and analyse the social implications and ethical issues that may potentially arise in the course of developing scientific knowledge.

Independent research can be a life changing experience. In this unit you will complete a research project in the discipline of Geography. Together with your supervisor, you will identify a novel research question and develop a hypothesis. You will then design and carry out experiments to test your hypothesis. In terms of assessment, you will communicate the research plan and findings through written tasks and oral presentations culminating in a 20, 000 word honours thesis. Successful completion of your Honours will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

Independent research can be a life changing experience. In this unit you will complete a research project in the discipline of Geography. Together with your supervisor, you will identify a novel research question and develop a hypothesis. You will then design and carry out experiments to test your hypothesis. In terms of assessment, you will communicate the research plan and findings through written tasks and oral presentations culminating in a 20, 000 word honours thesis. Successful completion of your Honours will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

Independent research can be a life changing experience. In this unit you will complete a research project in the discipline of Geography. Together with your supervisor, you will identify a novel research question and develop a hypothesis. You will then design and carry out experiments to test your hypothesis. In terms of assessment, you will communicate the research plan and findings through written tasks and oral presentations culminating in a 20, 000 word honours thesis. Successful completion of your Honours will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

Independent research can be a life changing experience. In this unit you will complete a research project in the discipline of Geography. Together with your supervisor, you will identify a novel research question and develop a hypothesis. You will then design and carry out experiments to test your hypothesis. In terms of assessment, you will communicate the research plan and findings through written tasks and oral presentations culminating in a 20, 000 word honours thesis. Successful completion of your Honours will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

Independent research can be a life changing experience. In this unit you will complete a research project in the discipline of Geography. Together with your supervisor, you will identify a novel research question and develop a hypothesis. You will then design and carry out experiments to test your hypothesis. In terms of assessment, you will communicate the research plan and findings through written tasks and oral presentations culminating in a 20, 000 word honours thesis. Successful completion of your Honours will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

Independent research can be a life changing experience. In this unit you will complete a research project in the discipline of Geography. Together with your supervisor, you will identify a novel research question and develop a hypothesis. You will then design and carry out experiments to test your hypothesis. In terms of assessment, you will communicate the research plan and findings through written tasks and oral presentations culminating in a 20, 000 word honours thesis. Successful completion of your Honours will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

All students in Science Honours must enrol in this non-assessable unit of study in their final semester. This unit will contain your final Honours mark as calculated from your coursework and research project units.