Overview of the course structure for GCSE Geography with OCR B

1. Unit 1 Rivers and Coasts
1.1 Rivers
By the end of this unit I will:
Know all of the stores and flows in the hydrological cycle
Understand how water flows through the land to rivers in the drainage basin system
Know the four main processes of weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition and how these are
found in rivers
Understand how features along the river are formed
Case study:
I know the name of a river valley and the landforms within it
1.2 Flooding
By the end of this unit I will:
Understand the different causes of flooding: physical and human
Know how the effects of flooding can be different in different places with different characteristics
Know how rivers can be managed to reduce the risk of flooding sustainably and that some strategies are
more sustainable than others
Case studies:
I know the causes and effects of river flooding in a MEDC
I know the causes and effects of river flooding in a LEDC
1.3 Coasts
By the end of this unit I will:
Know the main processes found at the coastline: weathering, erosion, transport, and deposition
Know that geology influences the types of landforms found at the coast
Know how cliffs, headlands, caves, arches, stacks, beaches, and spits are formed
Case study:
I know about one area of coast and what landforms are found there
1.4 Protecting the coastline
By the end of this unit I will:
Know why some areas of coastline are vulnerable to erosion
Understand why coastlines need protection
Know how coastal areas are managed using hard engineering techniques
Understand how coastal areas can be managed in a sustainable way
Case study:
I will know about an area of coastline that is managed, including:
Reasons for protection

2. Measures taken
Effects (physical and human)
Conflicts

3. Unit 2 Population and Settlement
Each subsection will take approximately two teaching weeks (six lessons)
This unit will also include a Sustainability Decision Making Exercise (SDME) which will
account for 25% of your final grade. It will be titled: ‘The age old saga – why does an older
population pose challenges for us all?’
The SDME will require class time for preparation and practice, plus time required to get to know the sources that are
to be used during the exam.
This unit will not be assessed in your final exam
2.1 Population structure
By the end of this unit I will:
Be able to define population structure
Know what birth and death rates are
Be able to explain the factors that affect birth and death rates
Understand how birth rates and death rates change over time and be able to create a demographic
transition model
Be able to interpret a population pyramid
Know what population pyramids can tell us about the needs of a population
2.2 Population change
By the end of this unit I will:
Be able to define population change
Know that birth rates and death rates affect population change
Be able to explain why population change can lead to overpopulation
Know what population policies are
Be able to describe different types of population policy
Be able to explain how a population policy can reduce population
2.3 Migration and urbanisation
By the end of this unit I will:
Know that push and pull factors influence migration
Understand why people move from rural areas to live in cities
Know ways that urbanisation can be managed
Know what counterurbanisation is
Case studies:
I will know about the pattern of migration within a country
I will know about the pattern of migration between countries
I will know about the inward migration of workers into a country

4. 2.4 Changing land use
By the end of this unit I will:
Understand how retail provision changes over time
Know what ‘land use’ is
Understand how and why land use is changing in cities
Know what the problems and challenges in city areas are
Know how a city development can be made more sustainable
Understand the relationship between the provision of goods and services and the population size of
settlements
Case study:
I can name a city and describe the changes occurring within it

5. Unit 3 Natural Hazards
Each subsection will take two teaching weeks (six lessons)
This unit WILL be assessed in your final exam
3.1 Overview
By the end of this unit I will:
Be able to define a natural hazard
Know that different types of natural hazard have specific global distributions
Know that the movement of tectonic plates cause earthquakes and volcanoes
Know that climatic conditions lead to tropical storms and severe drought
3.2 The causes and effects of volcanic eruption
By the end of this unit I will:
Know that volcanic eruptions can vary in intensity and type
Know details about specific volcanoes in LEDCs and MEDCs
Know that LEDCs are less well prepared for eruptions. They often rely on aid when they occur
Know that MEDCs are well prepared for eruptions, but that damage can still be severe
Know a variety of ways in which people can prepare for volcanic eruptions
Know that eruptions have economic, social and environmental impacts
Know what the short term impacts are
Know that a long-term recovery programme is often necessary
Case studies:
I know about a volcanic event in a LEDC
I know about a volcanic event in a MEDC
3.3 The causes and effects of earthquakes
By the end of this unit I will:
Know that MEDCs are well prepared for earthquakes but that damage can still be severe
Know a variety of ways in which people can prepare for earthquakes
Know how countries respond of the immediate effects of an earthquake
Know how important it is to plan a long-term recovery programme
Know why people continue to live in areas prone to earthquakes
Case studies:
I know about an earthquake event in a MEDC
I know about an earthquake event in a LEDC
3.4 The causes and effects of drought
By the end of this unit I will:
Know that drought can be short-lived, but that it can also last for extended periods

6. Know that severity of the effects of drought is dependent on where it occurs
Know the causes of drought
Know that LEDCs struggle to cope with severe drought, but that some measures can be taken to reduce the
impact
Know that MEDCs are experiencing drought on a more regular basis, and they are beginning to introduce
measures to reduce the effects
Case studies:
I know about a drought in a LEDC
I know about a drought in a MEDC

7. Unit 4 Economic development
Each subsection will take two teaching weeks (six lessons)
This unit WILL be assessed in your final exam
4.1 What is development?
By the end of this unit I will:
Know and understand why GDP is used as a measure of development
Know that GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is a more representative indicator of wealth
Know that other factors (as well as GDP) should be considered when assessing development
Know that HDI incorporates GDP along with life expectancy and educational attainment
Know that the Brandt line is a useful starting point for considering levels of development
Know that the concept of a north-south divide is outdated
Know that countries move through different stages of development
Know that there is a wide gap between the least developed countries and the most developed
Case study
I know about a specific development where conflicts exist between economic development and
environmental damage
4.2 How can development be affected by aid?
By the end of this unit I will:
Know that aid can take many forms
Know that a range of different organisations offer aid
Know that to be successful, aid projects must be sustainable
Understand that economic costs, the impact on the environment and the impact on people are all
important factors to consider when shaping sustainable aid projects
Know that the most effective aid projects involve those receiving the aid in terms of planning and
implementation
Case Study
I know about a project in a LEDC:
How the aid project addresses a specific problem. This might be a consequence of a disaster or as a part of a
development programme
The case study should include detail on which organisations are providing the aid and how the aid project is
undertaken
The case study should include detail on how sustainable the project will be.
4.3 How employment is structured and what influences location
By the end of this unit I will:
Know a definition of each of the four broad sectors of industry
Know that countries at different levels of development have different employment structures

8. Know examples of the employment structure of a range of countries from LEDCs through to MEDCs
Know the difference between jobs in the formal and the informal sector
Know that employment structures change over time
Know that high technology has created a new sector of industry. This tends to be found in MEDCs
Know that a range of factors influence the location of economic activity
Know at least one example of each industry type and why it locates where it does
Case studies:
I know about an industry in a LEDC
I know about an industry in a MEDC
4.4 What are multinationals and what impact do they have?
By the end of this unit I will:
Know that a multinational company is
Know that part these companies play in globalisation
Know selected examples of multinational companies
Know areas of the world where MNCs locate outside of their home country
Know a range of positive impacts that MNCs bring when they locate in a new country
Know a range of negative impacts that result from MNCs locating in a new county
Know that most Multinational companies have their home base and headquarters in MEDCs
Case study
Know about a MNC in an international context