Exam Board – Edexcel

Syllabus B – Evolving Planet

Student Guide

Is this the right subject for me?
In order to answer this question, ask yourself what you enjoy about studying geography. Try these questions. Do I want to:

• Learn about and understand the world I live in?
• Develop skills that will help me in other subjects and in employment, such as ICT and research?
• Complete practical work away from the classroom?
• Learn how to work in a team with other students?
• Learn through investigating, not just listening and reading?
• Work independently, making decisions for myself?

What will I learn?
The world is always changing. This subject gives you the chance to learn about those changes. There are four units.

Unit 1: Dynamic Planet
This will give you a sound understanding of important physical processes such as geological processes, ecosystems, the atmosphere and climate, and the hydrological cycle. These topics are interlinked and although you may study them separately the unit is designed to show you how physical geography combines to create a ‘life support system’ for the planet.

Unit 2: People and the Planet
This focuses on human geography. In a similar way to Unit 1, it links together to build an overall understanding of human geography. You will study how populations grow and change, where people live and work, and how they exploit and use resources. There are also options in Units 1 and 2 so you will choose to study some topics in more depth such as rivers or coasts, cities or the countryside, development or economic geography and oceans or extreme climates.

Unit 3: Making Geographical Decisions
This is a decision-making exercise, where you study a specific topic, such as Antarctica, in detail. This is designed to teach you how to make decisions about a specific topic, based on the evidence studied. The skills you will learn in this topic will be valuable in all aspects of this GCSE in Geography, and in the rest of your life.

Unit 4: Researching Geography
This will involve undertaking research, carrying out fieldwork and then writing it up. The research and fieldwork can be undertaken out of class, but the writing up will all be in class time.

How will I be assessed?
Higher and Foundation examination papers are available. For the core Units 1 and 2, exam papers are resource based. You will have maps, photographs and diagrams to help you answer the questions. Questions will range from short questions up to larger extended-writing questions. Unit 3: Making Geographical Decisions, is a decision-making exercise based on pre-release resources. These will consist of a colour resource booklet on a geographical issue or location. Your teacher can work with you on the resources. Questions will assess your understanding of the resources in relation to environmental issues and sustainability. Unit 4: Researching Geography, is the controlled assessment (coursework) unit. You will complete fieldwork and data collection for this unit, and analyse and write up your results in class. Each of the four units is worth 25% of the GCSE marks.

What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?
You will have learned a number of geographical skills and have a body of geographical knowledge from Key Stage 3. These will be developed further during the GCSE course to give you a deeper understanding of the world. Much will be new but your previous study of geography will have helped prepare you to think like a geographer, so the development of new skills and concepts will be easier. What can I do after I’ve completed the course? Geography really is an education for life. Employers and universities value the broad range of transferable skills that geography delivers. Geography fits neatly with science, arts and humanities. Geographers also tend to have very good ICT, organizational and presentation skills. A GCSE in Geography is excellent preparation for a career in planning, resource and countryside management, tourism and recreation and, environmental management and development. Many geographers also move into general management careers or branch out into journalism.

For more information contact Mr P Seward