Disciplines in the Department Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology

Environmental Sciences

With increasing pressure on our natural environment and natural resources, the Environmental Science group in our Department faces exciting challenges aimed at developing and presenting cutting edge programmes in order to deliver on demands from policy makers and society. The group works closely with the University’s Centre for Environmental Studies (CFES) on various levels. Research ranges from integrated ecosystems to international involvement in climate change and health.   

Geomorphology

Geomorphology forms part of Physical Geography. Research and teaching activities cover a range of topics including rock weathering, slope processes (such as soil erosion and mass movements), fluvial processes and biogeomorphology. A multidisciplinary approach is taken where application to the fields of geology and engineering geology, zoology, botany, architecture and landscape architecture are emphasised.

Geoinformatics

The field of Geoinformatics has advanced significantly over the past decade with a never ending increase in spatial data, and in particular a need for integrated analyses of such data in order to provide answers about the status of our living environment. The Geoinformatics group in our Department is regarded as one of, if not, the best in the country. State of the art technology and the best software available is used in research and in accredited education programmes in order to prepare students for exciting future careers in Geoinformatics.

Meteorology

Our Department is the only in Africa south of the equator that offers internationally recognised programmes in Meteorology in close collaboration with the South African Weather Service. Meteorology focussed on the physics and flow dynamics of the atmosphere in order to generate mathematical models used for prognostic weather forecasting on different time scales. Some of the most advanced models are used in numerical weather prediction and climate change research.

Remote
Sensing

With new satellite technology Remote Sensing or our ability to observe and record our living environment from a distance, has advanced significantly over the past decade. The Remote Sensing group in our Department collaborates over a wide front with the most prominent national groups (e.g. HartRAO, CSIR and other universities) and even has contacts with the newly envisaged South African Space Agency. These networks are used to develop high quality courses in the theory and application in Remote Sensing. The Remote Sensing group is also building on an increasingly wider international network. Space geodesy currently forms an important component of the group’s research focus.
 

Social Geosciences

Social Geosciences forms part of the traditional Human Geography. With many modern day risks as a result of population growth, migration, urbanisation and human pressure on our natural and other resources, the Social Geoscience group in our Department faces many unique challenges related to our changing living environment.