Objectives & career options

General objectives
Structure
Distinctive Features
Resources and Facilities
Further Education
Career Opportunities
Scholarships and Funding
University Life

General objectives

Natural hazards presented a wide range that affects differently in the different geographical areas, while together, they show a clear upward threat to the population, infrastructure and economic activities. The increase in population and the concentration in the areas of greatest risk is determining an increase of exposure to the risk and the magnitudes of affectation of catastrophic events. Thus, there is a growing demand in the theme addressed by the proposal of master's degree here. The profile of the master specialization is intended to introduce students in the research of natural hazards, in its most varied aspects and, therefore, with perspectiva integradora.

Objectives:

To train researchers to analyse and diagnose regional processes and problems with special reference to natural hazards.
To train researchers to carry out fundamental or applied research in areas related to natural hazard planning and management.
To train researchers to conduct research and planning actions in relation to emergency management.
To ensure that students acquire the knowledge necessary to equip them for critical analysis of natural hazards.
To interpret the diverse and complex nature of regions and the inter-relationships between extreme natural phenomena and economic, social and cultural phenomena.
To develop specific skills related to the collection, analysis, management and mapping of extreme natural phenomena risk, vulnerability and exposure data.
To provide students with the resources that will enable them to communicate the results of their research in natural hazards to the academic community.

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Structure

Structure of the Master’s Degree: credits and subject groups.
Distribution of subjects by module.
General course programme.

Structure of the Master’s Degree: credits and subject groups

Type of subject	Credits
Compulsory (OB)	42
Optional (OP)	3
Work Experience (OB)	3
Master’s Final Project (OB)	12
TOTAL CREDITS	60

Distribution of subjects by module

SEMESTER 1			SEMESTER 2
SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS	SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS
THE SOCIOLOGY OF RISK	OB	1.5	GIS AND NATURAL HAZARDS	OB	3
THE GEOGRAPHY OF RISK	OB	1.5	SEISMIC MAPPING	OB	3
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY SOURCES FOR ANALYSING NATURAL HAZARDS	OB	1.5	OFFICIAL NATURAL HAZARD MAPS IN SPAIN	OB	2
GREAT NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE LEVANTE REGION IN SPAIN (19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES)	OB	1.5	NATURAL HAZARDS AND LAND USE PLANNING	OB	2
HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES FOR ASSESSING HAZARD ZONES	OB	3	LEGAL ASPECTS OF NATURAL HAZARD PLANNING	OB	1.5
TECHNIQUES FOR ANALYSIS OF HYDROLOGICAL HAZARDS IN MEDITERRANEAN ARROYOS	OB	2	NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION	OB	1.5
SEISMICITY AND SEISMIC RISK	OB	1.5	ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF NATURAL HAZARDS	OB	1.5
MASS WASTING AND EROSION	OB	1.5	DROUGHT, WATER USE AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT	OP	1.5
ATMOSPHERIC AND CLIMATIC HAZARDS	OB	4.5	NATURAL HAZARD PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT IN EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA	OP	1.5
PHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL HAZARDS: WILDFIRES AND PLAGUES	OB	3	WORK EXPERIENCE	OB	3
CLIMATE CHANGE: CAUSES AND FORECASTS	OB	4	WORK EXPERIENCE	OB	3
CLIMATE CHANGE AND HAZARD IN THE MEDITERRANEAN	OB	2	MASTER’S FINAL PROJECT	OB	12
FIELD WORK IN HAZARD ZONE ANALYSIS	OP	1.5
NATURAL HAZARDS IN THE MEDIA AND ON THE INTERNET	OP	1.5

General course programme

The University Master’s Degree in Natural Hazard Planning and Management consists of 60 credits distributed as follows:

Compulsory module: 42 credits,
Master’s Final Project: 12 compulsory credits,
Work experience in the public and private sector: 3 compulsory credits,
Optional module: 3 credits.

The course programme for the Master’s Degree in Natural Hazard Planning and Management includes subjects from geography, sociology, law, economics, engineering, ecology and geology, due to the multidisciplinary nature of hazard analysis and planning. Accordingly, the aim of the course is to provide a basic and applied training in regional and environmental issues and in managing hazards of varying degrees of magnitude, which is essential to effectively address the subject .

The course programme is divided into 9 modules. The first six are compulsory and correspond to the acquisition of skills in theoretical, instrumental and management questions. Specifically:

Module I (SOURCES, CONCEPTS AND METHODS): 6 credits. This module is aimed at providing students with the basic theoretical knowledge necessary for understanding conceptual aspects related to the notion of risk and the documentary and instrumental sources available for the study of hazard.
Module II (HAZRD ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES): 5 credits. This module is aimed at equipping students with the methods and instruments used for analysis and management of the data employed in hazard analysis.
Module III (NATURAL HAZARD ANALYSIS): 10.5 credits. The main aim of this module is to present theoretical and practical knowledge in hazard analysis and hazard zone identification, for varying degrees of magnitude.
Module IV (CLIMATE CHANGE AND HAZARD): 6 credits. This module examines the relationship between climatic fluctuations and cycles, and the genesis of extreme atmospheric events. The implications of present global warming on the Mediterranean region are explained , which acts as a model for the future rise in extreme atmospheric events.
Module V (HAZARD MAPPING): 8 credits. This module enables students to gain a deeper understanding of the skills involved in the techniques used in spatial analysis and mapping of various hazards. The importance of these issues is vindicated in European regulations which justifies their thorough and exhaustive study by official bodies.
Module VI (NATURAL HAZARD PLANNING and EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT): 6.5 credits. The aim of this module is to train students in emergency planning and management, through knowledge of the different tools and actions used in prevention, mitigation and management of emergencies.
The seventh module corresponds to optional subjects, and consists of four subjects from which students are required to choose two. The aim of these subjects is to provide a deeper understanding of questions related to the analysis of specific hazards of regional and economic relevance, together with specific study techniques.
The Master’s Degree programme concludes with the modules corresponding to work experience in the public and private sector, and the Master’s final project.

Subjects have been timetabled so that the basic contents (modules, I, II, III, and IV) are taught in the first term, whilst subjects related to practical applications (mapping, hazard planning: modules V and VI) and optional subjects are taught in the second term. Likewise, work experience in the public and private sector and the Master’s final project are both carried out in the second term.

Subjects range from 1.5 and 4.5 ECT credits, although the majority are between 1.5 and ECT 3 credits, and represent 72% of the 48 compulsory credits. This variation in subject study load is due to the diversity of contents covered and their relevance from the point of view of the skills that students are required to master.

Subjects have an average classroom-based study load equivalent to 40% of the total ECTS credits for each subject, divided between theoretical and practical classes where attendance is compulsory (requiring more or fewer classroom hours depending on the nature of the subject), and other activities (tutorials, etc.).

Non classroom-based activities vary from subject to subject, and comprise the remaining 60% of each subject’s study load.

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Distinctive Features

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Resources and Facilities

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Further Education

After completing an official Master's degree, students can take a PhD degree or third-cycle university studies, related to the Master's degree they have completed or to related areas. A list with all PhD degrees offered by the University of Alicante at:

PhD DEGREES (Royal Decree 99-2011).

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Career Opportunities

Focus

Research.

Master’s degree specialisation profile

Natural hazards occur in many different forms and their effects on diverse geographical areas are varied. However, in general, natural hazards clearly display a growing threat to the population, infrastructure and economic activity. Population growth and increasing population concentration in areas at greatest risk have resulted in increased exposure to risk and a greater magnitude of damage caused by catastrophic events. Accordingly, there exists an increasing demand for knowledge of the subjects covered in this Master’s Degree .

Specifically, the aim of this Master’s Degree is to take an integrated approach to introduce students to natural hazard research in all its varied aspects. Conceptual and methodological modules are offered, together with natural hazard analysis techniques, for a wide range of existing natural hazards. Similarly, students are given a deeper understanding of the basics of hazard mapping, planning and management within the context of global climate change, and particularly, of present-day global warming and its possible implications for the incidence of extreme natural events.

This learning is consolidated through the work experience and final project modules.

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Scholarships and Funding

Information on existing scholarships and grants to study university degrees is available here:

Scholarships and Funding. University of Alicante.

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University Life

Further information on our campus and the activities and resources available, organised by or related to the UA:

University life in the University of Alicante.

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