Bachelor in Geography

The study of geography provides students with a deeper understanding of processes in nature and society and their increasingly complex interrelationships. Geography is a discipline of great social relevance. For this reason, students are required to address current issues concerning the environment, such as climate change, urbanisation or scarcity of resources. 

The Bachelor (BSc) programme includes a balanced mix of thematical courses in geosciences,  human and physical geography as well as methodological courses (qualitative and quantitative methods, GIS, remote sensing,...), practial works and excursions. Basics supporting courses and complementary disciplines (e.g. mathematics, physics, economics, sociology, earth sciences) have to be chosen in addition. A bachelor research work (TR) allows students to start doing research in a specialized field.

A part of the Bachelor programme in Geography can also be studied as propedeutic subject (BPr), 
minor subject (BC 30, BC 60 (1 and 2), BC +30), and as subject for teaching at secondary level (BSc_SI, Ba_SI). See Directives and Study plan.

• Profile of the study programme

  Motivation 

   

  Geography is a socially relevant science concerned with issues of the environment such as climate change, urbanisation and scarcity of resources. Changes is these fields take place at a fast pace and present significant challenges to today's society. These challenges need to be addressed through an interdisciplinary approach which can grasp the complex interrelations between nature and society. This is precisely where integrative geography makes a significant contribution. The key vector of inquiry of geography are time and space –in other words, processes which take place on various temporal and spatial scales. Geography is a highly interdisciplinary subject at the intersection between natural and social sciences.
  
  

  The Bachelor's degree in Geography provides students with in-depth knowledge of processes which are characterised by the increasing interrelationships of nature and society. At present, three main fields of geography are taught in the Bachelor's programme at the University of Fribourg. These are human geography, physical geography and geographical information systems. Together, these fields provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the condition and processes of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and atmosphere, as well as of economic, urban and political developments, and their consequences for the environment.
  
  

  Learning outcomes and career openings 

   

  The aim of the Bachelor's programme is to give students a scientifically-grounded and, practice-oriented qualification which provides the foundation for to their future professional career and opens up suitable employment opportunities. Special emphasis is placed on the application of the skills that studients acquire. In the two fields human and physical geography, students gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the relationships between nature and society. In the field of geographical information systems, students learn how to analyse spatial problems on various levels of scale and to assess, interpret and evaluate the significance of various aspects from different perspectives in order to deduce possible solutions. By preparing their bachelor research work, students learn to examine scientific and socially relevant questions independently with the support of a supervisor.

  
  Thereby, students acquire a broad range of basic geographical knowledge in physical geography, human geography and geographical information systems. At the end of their studies they are ideally qualified to work in diverse areas of business, administration or science. Geographers generally find employment in their preferred field of activity without any delay.

• Organisation and Admission

  The following Swiss school-leaving certificates grant admission to Bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg:
  
  

  • Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
  • Swiss professional Maturity Certificate in conjunction with the supplementary exam certificate from the Swiss Maturity Commission
  • Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH) or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

  A complete list of all further recognized Swiss school-leaving certificates is to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities (in French and German only) Check the list
  Foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates are recognised only if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. They must qualify as general education. Foreign school-leaving certificates are considered to be general education if the last three years of schooling include at least six general education subjects, independent from each other, in accordance with the following list:
  

   

  1. First language (native language)
  2. Second language
  3. Mathematics
  4. Natural sciences (biology, chemistry or physics)
  5. Humanities and social sciences (geography, history or economics/law)
  6. Elective (an additional language or an additional subject from category 4 or 5)
     
     

  The general admission requirements to the Bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg for holders of foreign school-leaving certificates as well as the admission requirements for individual countries are to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities:Admission Countries
  
  In addition, foreign candidates must present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.

   

  The assessment of foreign school-leaving certificates is based on the «CRUS Recommendations for the Assessment of Foreign Upper Secondary School-Leaving Certificates, 7 September 2007» CRUSThe admission requirements are valid for the respective academic year. The Rectorat of the University of Fribourg reserves the right to change these requirements at any time.
  
  

  ALTERNATIVES
  

  Also offered as a minor study programme (60/30 ECTS credits).

• Choice of Minor Study Programmes

   

  Minors at the Faculty of Science and Medicine

  Study Programme	ECTS
  Mathematics	30  |  60*
  Informatics	30  |  60*
  Physics	30^  |  60*
  Chemistry	30  |  60*
  Earth Sciences	30  |  60
  Geography	30  |  60*
  Special Biology (for Biologists and Biochemists)	30
  Biologie A	30
  Biologie B	60
  Biologie E (LDM)	60*
  Biochemistry	30  |  60
  Neurosciences	30
  Environmental Sciences	30  |  60
  Sport Sciences and Motor Control	30  |  60*

  ^ Mathematik als zweites Zusatz-/Nebenfach empfohlen
  * Dieses Studienprogramm auf Bachelorstufe, ergänzt durch das entsprechende Studienprogramm auf Masterstufe, gibt im Rahmen des Lehrdiploms für Maturitätsschulen (LDM) Zugang zur pädagogisch-didaktischen Ausbildung im entsprechenden Unterrichtsfach.

   

  Minors at all Faculties

  Complete list of available minor programmes

   

• Bachelor research work (TR)
  • The Bachelor curriculum requires the students to write one personal research work (TR). The Bachelor degree can only be conferred once the TR has been accepted.
    
    
  • [NEW] Students have to pre-register for TR supervision during the first two weeks of the semester during which they intend to start their TR by filling in a form available from the moodle platform  GG. Topics and Guidelines for TR and Master thesis in Geography
    
    
  • Students have then to register for starting a TR (read attentively the TR guidelines frenchgerman
    
    
  • Registration forms to TR :
    frenchgerman
    
  • Two bound paper copies of the final version of the TR have to be deposited at the secretary office. An additional electronic version can be provided to the secretary by email.
    
    
  • Topics for TR can be found on the professors' and group leaders’ personal web pages, or onmoodle platform
     GG. Topics and Guidelines for TR and Master thesis in Geography
    
    
  • Editorial guidelines are also available on the moodle platform GG. Topics and Guidelines for TR and Master thesis in Geography
    
    
  • Explanation of the evaluation criteria can be found here:
    frenchgerman