Geography at G.C.S.E offers the students a broad and practical look at the development of the world and its people. Students can appreciate the relationships between the physical and human processes that give rise to the character of places, environments and their interdependence. The study of Geography enables the student to develop an understanding of and respect for the cultures and ways of life of other peoples.

A wide variety of skills, including descriptive, graphic, statistical and analytical techniques as well as fieldwork activities will be employed to study six main themes across two written papers.

Paper 1: 40% The Themes addressed in this paper are as follows:

• A: Atomsphere and Human Impact This theme concentrates on selected aspects of meteorology which illustrate a range of processes and the inter- relationship between people and natural environment including management issues. Weather systems such as anticyclone are studied in this theme along with global warming and the greenhouse effect.
• B: Physical Processes and Challenges This theme concentrates on the structure of the earth, processes which produce varying landscapes and on human responses to them including issues relating to hazard management. Volcanoes, earthquakes, rivers and limestone are studied in this theme.
• C: Eco-Systems and Sustainability This theme concentrates on the characteristics of eco-systems and the links between the elements. The positive and negative impact of people on eco-systems in relation to sustainability are studied. Tropical rainforests, Peatlands, Savanna grasslands are studied in this theme.

Paper 2: 40% The themes addressed in this paper are as follows:

• D: Population and Resources This concentrates on population distribution, structure and growth, and the positive the positive and negative impacts of migration. Population growth rates in relation to natural resources availableis also an approach to using renwable energy. The countries that are studied range from Brazil to Britain, China to France.
• E: Economic Change and Development This theme deals with economic change in both the developing and developed worlds. It examines industrial location and change and also environmental and development issues such as; world trade Fair trade, Types of aid.
• F: Settlements and Change This theme concentrates on the situation and location of settlements. How urbanisation and counterurbanisation effect the environment and how planning has a major impact on settlements. Places of study include Brazil, Belfast- Laganside.

Coursework: 20% This is an individual report of 2500 words based on either the Physical or Human environment. Examples of past coursework have included; A study of the CBD of Newry, the changing landuse of the CBD of Newry, the impact of peat extraction on the Marble Arch caves.

Career Opportunities Geography is an interesting subject and compliments many subjects such as Business Studies, Biology Sociology, History. Jobs for Geographers include Town and Country Planning, Environment Planning, Quantity Surveying, Marketing, Conservation, Tourist Guide, Law, Journalism and teaching.

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