What is Geography?
Geography is the study of people, their environment, and the interaction between the two. The course follows from Junior Cert Geography, and covers very similar topics (such as rocks, soils, oceans, population movements, map-reading, and economic activities) in a lot more detail. There are a large number of optional sections on the course, allowing students to focus on the sections of the course which they like.
What kind of student might Geography suit?
Geography is a useful subject for careers in town planning, surveying, environmental assessment and weather forecasting.
Third Level Entry Requirements:
This subject is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system. However, it is worth noting that TCD accepts geography as a science subject for entry into both science and pharmacy faculty.
Subject content:
Three Core Units:
1. Patterns and processes in the physical environment
2. Regional geography
3. Geographical investigation
Two Elective Units (pick one):
4. Patterns and processes in economic activities
5. Patterns and processes in the human environment
Four Optional Units (pick one; higher level only):
6. Global interdependence
7. Geoecology
8. Culture and identity
9. The Atmosphere-Ocean environment
The teaching of geographical skills is an important element of the course; students are encouraged to improve their ability to gather information (from map-reading, statistics, charts), present information (using diagrams, maps, and writing), and evaluate information (separate fact from opinion, make informed judgements, propose sensible solutions to problems). These skills are assessed in the Geographical Investigation.
Exam Structure:
Leaving Certificate Geography is assessed at Ordinary and Higher level in ascending order of difficulty. There are two assessment components:
Geography is the study of people, their environment, and the interaction between the two. The course follows from Junior Cert Geography, and covers very similar topics (such as rocks, soils, oceans, population movements, map-reading, and economic activities) in a lot more detail. There are a large number of optional sections on the course, allowing students to focus on the sections of the course which they like.
What kind of student might Geography suit?
- Students considering further study in areas such as geography, economics, environmental science, or politics.
- Students who achieved solid results for Junior Cert Geography can expect much of the same for the Leaving Cert course.
Geography is a useful subject for careers in town planning, surveying, environmental assessment and weather forecasting.
Third Level Entry Requirements:
This subject is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system. However, it is worth noting that TCD accepts geography as a science subject for entry into both science and pharmacy faculty.
Subject content:
Three Core Units:
1. Patterns and processes in the physical environment
2. Regional geography
3. Geographical investigation
Two Elective Units (pick one):
4. Patterns and processes in economic activities
5. Patterns and processes in the human environment
Four Optional Units (pick one; higher level only):
6. Global interdependence
7. Geoecology
8. Culture and identity
9. The Atmosphere-Ocean environment
The teaching of geographical skills is an important element of the course; students are encouraged to improve their ability to gather information (from map-reading, statistics, charts), present information (using diagrams, maps, and writing), and evaluate information (separate fact from opinion, make informed judgements, propose sensible solutions to problems). These skills are assessed in the Geographical Investigation.
Exam Structure:
Leaving Certificate Geography is assessed at Ordinary and Higher level in ascending order of difficulty. There are two assessment components:
- Written Examination (80%)
- Geographical Investigation Report (20%)
