Hazards and Disaster Management MSc

Our programme in Hazards and Disaster Management is ideal if you want to start or advance a career in hazard or risk management, environmental monitoring, emergency planning or catastrophe-related mitigation.

What will you study?

You will study the underpinning scientific principles of both:

• natural hazards (eg hurricanes, storms and tornadoes, flooding, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and radon gas emissions); and
• human-induced disasters (eg terrorism, explosions and oil tanker accidents).

We also cover modern disaster management strategies and planning techniques for the mitigation (eg structural measures and education), preparation (eg early warning), response (eg search and rescue) and recovery (eg insurance) phases.

Alongside your academic studies, you will gain skills in:

• problem solving and organisation;
• data collation and evaluation;
• communication (oral, written and electronic);
• time and project management;
• computing; and
• co-operation and teamwork.

Fieldwork is an essential part of the Hazard and Disaster Management course. You will undertake a supervised week-long visit to a European field destination affected by multi-hazards (usually to Tenerife in June). You will conduct hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment of the area and evaluate existing hazard management strategies by the regional/local authorities.
Find out more...

The course provides a strong core element, covering modern methodologies for hazard assessment and disaster management for various hazard types.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• Atmospheric and Geomorphological Hazards

• Atmospheric and Geomorphological Hazards

  This module outlines the fundamental scientific principles that give rise to the most significant types of atmospheric and geomorphological hazards in UK and global contexts. It examines:

  • strategies and techniques for identifying and assessing the hazard and risk from specific natural atmospheric and geomorphological events and circumstances; and
  • strategies for avoiding, limiting or otherwise managing the impacts of these types of natural hazards so as to minimise losses and damages.
  
   
• Geophysical and Geomedical Hazards

• Geophysical and Geomedical Hazards

  In this module, you will learn about the science underpinning the occurrence, development and monitoring of the major geophysical and geomedical hazards, such as

  • earthquakes;
  • volcanic eruptions;
  • tsunamis; and
  • radon gas emission.

  We adopt a hands-on approach is used throughout. You will:

  • examine datasets and discuss disaster management strategies from past global hazardous events;
  • apply their knowledge from examining past events to forecasting and managing hypothetical events in scenario-based exercises; and
  • undertake a fieldwork-based exercise to examine scientific monitoring in a multi-hazard European setting.
  
   
• Disaster Management 1: Insurance and Risk Management

• Disaster Management 1: Insurance and Risk Management

  This module outlines the fundamental concepts of managing risk of environmental hazards. It explores:

  • a variety of risk management approaches;
  • insurance and reinsurance in disaster management; and
  • hazard prediction and risk perception in disaster management
  
   
• Disaster Management 2: Mitigation and Reconstruction

• Disaster Management 2: Mitigation and Reconstruction

  This module outlines the fundamental concepts of mitigation, recovery and reconstruction as they relate to the management aspect of the disaster cycle. It investigates:

  • problems that may arise in policy issues and dimensions of disaster management nationally and internationally; and
  • a variety of management approaches for a number of specific environmental hazards in both developing and developed countries.
  
   
• Hazards and Society

• Hazards and Society

  This module focuses on the relationship between hazards and people. It considers:

  • who is affected by different hazards across the world;
  • how and why they are affected; and
  • theoretical concepts such as vulnerability coping strategies and adaptation to hazards (taking a human geography perspective).

  It will draw on a range of case-studies, such as famine, disease, pollution, conflicts, and environmental change.

  
   
• GIS and Hazards

• GIS and Hazards

  This module explores the use of GIS in hazard prediction, assessment and mitigation. You will study a range of hazards including:

  • earthquakes;
  • volcanic eruption;
  • hurricane;
  • tsunamis; and
  • disease diffusion, epidemics and pandemics.

  The module combines analytical techniques (which provide insight into better understanding the triggers for hazards) with a consideration of how hazards can be managed, the aftermath and human dimension.

  
   
• Research Methods and Data Analysis

• Research Methods and Data Analysis

  This module prepares students for carrying out independent research work, including an explanation of the importance of unbiased data sampling and how it may be achieved.

  It aims to improve the quality of your scientific thought and procedure by explaining a range of statistical and other data analytical techniques applicable to environmental and spatial data. In addition to the use of GIS elsewhere in the course, this module provides extensive experience of the use of computers for data analysis and other applications.

  
   
• Research Project

• Research Project

  The main aims of the research project are to give you the chance to:

  • undertake a project in your area of interest;
  • investigate, develop and critically appraise primary and secondary information sources as a basis for independent study at a postgraduate level; and
  • apply specialised knowledge and skills to the analysis and solution of novel problem in the real world.
  
   
• Fieldwork

Option modules (indicative and for guidance purposes only)

• Water Resource Management

• Water Resource Management

  This module offers an opportunity to study the relationships between water and human society at a variety of scales.

  In particular, it looks at how water has been managed at global, national and regional scales and how an understanding of hydrological knowledge can be applied to practical water resources problems. It further introduces and investigates the wider concepts of water resources management, governance and water planning decisions.

  
   
• Waste Management and Contaminated Land Remediation

• Waste Management and Contaminated Land Remediation

  This module provides an understanding of the types, sources and effects of contaminants in the environment, and their effects on ecosystems and human health. It covers an awareness of the feasibility and limitations of the main techniques and strategies for the remediation of contaminated land. There is a specific focus on the policies and practice of waste management in developed countries.

  
   

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing holds a number of open day events throughout the year. These are a great opportunity to find out more about this course, the Faculty itself, and the facilities we offer.

Find out more...

Learn more about the facilities available to you as a GIS student.

Find out more...

We want to make sure you get all the support you need while you are with us. Here you can see the range of support we can offer you while you're doing this course.

Find out more...