Field-course options tailored for the Cambridge Pre-U Geography qualification:
Component |
Section |
Topic |
Fieldwork |
Component 1: Geographical Issues |
A |
Hydrological Hazards |
HYDROLOGY AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT STUDY – Downstream changes in river channel processes and characteristics, plus a visit to a defence scheme to discuss reasons for flood risk and flood management in the town |
A CASE STUDY OF THE RIVER WYE – The impact and management of flooding in Hereford | |||
B |
Spatial Inequality & Poverty |
URBAN INEQUALITY IN CARDIFF – A comparative study of inner city, (includes studentification), suburban and urban-rural fringe areas, looking at residential quality, environmental quality and other indicators such as crime and health issues | |
RURAL INEQUALITIES – Investigating the differences between declining and growing villages. Themes covered include second homes, counter-urbanisation, decline in rural services and changes to the rural economy | |||
Component 2: Global Environments |
A |
Glacial & Periglacial Environments |
GLACIATION STUDY – A visit to the Brecon Beacons to sketch and/or map a range of erosional and depositional landforms including cirques, arêtes, pyramidal peaks, U-shaped valleys and different types of moraine, including Kame and Kettle |
Coastal Environments |
COASTAL EROSION AND MANAGEMENT – A study into coastal processes and landforms on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Students assess current management and investigate alternatives, for comparison with the defences at Aberthaw power station | ||
PSAMMOSERAL (SAND DUNE) SUCCESSION – A transect through the dune system at Crymlyn Burrows provides an excellent example of the succession process, passing from embryo dunes to scrub woodland, backed by an area of salt marsh. | |||
SAND DUNE MANAGEMENT – Visitor impact on Kenfig Nature Reserve, and management strategies. Nearby, Merthyr Mawr also offers an opportunity to discuss dune mobility issues and management. | |||
B |
Temperate Grassland & Forest Environments |
WOODLAND MANAGEMENT -Using the habitats around the Blorenge ‘Mountain’, we are able to demonstrate deciduous woodland vegetation, a plagioclimax community (caused by grazing), succession, and pollarding and other management strategies. Local examples of a podsol and brown earths can be included in this day. | |
Component 3: Global Themes |
A |
Migration & Urban Change |
The fieldwork for Spatial Inequality & Poverty is also adaptable for this topic, please see the descriptions above |
The World of Work |
INDUSTRIAL CHANGE IN EBBW VALE – Socio-economic and environmental impacts of industrial decline, changing employment, and investment by global companies in this former steel making town | ||
B |
The Production of Food |
FARM VISIT – Providing an excellent case study of a Welsh hill sheep farm. The farmer talks to students about the changing face of agriculture, and the role of EU policy in directing these changes; diversification; use of technology in agriculture; farming in a National Park. Other farms could be included for comparison. There is a small additional charge for the farm visit. | |
Tourism Spaces |
CONSUMING THE RURAL LANDSCAPE – An exploration of the range of uses of the rural landscape, investigating their impacts and sustainability, focusing on the tourism industry | ||
Component 4: Research Topic |
Studies offered under this section are dependent on the topic areas set by the examination board. We can offer studies on the themes of deprivation, leisure, micro-climates, environmental degradation, central business districts, rivers and conservation. All of the studies described on this site are potentially suitable, please use the contact form for further details. |