Environmental Hazards and Disaster Management BSc(Hons)

Why choose this course?

If you are interested in studying the causes of environmental hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes and tsunami, and how we plan for related emergencies and manage the effects, this course is ideal.

Watch a video to find out why you should study at Kingston University:

What will you study?

You will follow four key themes of study: earth and environmental science; human science; disaster studies and emergency planning; and skills and techniques modules, eg fieldwork, data gathering, presentation and research. Experience of geographical information systems, remote sensing and overseas fieldwork will equip you with specialist skills to understand, monitor and predict natural hazards. You will also develop your knowledge of disaster planning and management.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• The Dynamic Earth
• Understanding the Environment
• Natural Hazards
• Investigating the Earth and Environment 2
• Hazards, Resources and Society
• Sustainable Development
• Earth Environments
• Digital Earth

• Digital Earth

  Digital Earth introduces the underlying geographical skills of data collection, manipulation, analysis and presentation and the use of computers for dealing with digital spatial data. It focuses on the concepts and value of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in geosciences and the importance of digital spatial data in the modern geo-infrastructure.

  
   

Year 2

• Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
• Remote Sensing and Image Processing

• Remote Sensing and Image Processing

  This module introduces you to the principles of remote sensing and remote sensing technology. This includes theoretical underpinnings and reviews of current, satellite-based, remote-sensing platforms.

  A strong practical element ensures you gain familiarity with leading remote-sensing software and standard image processing, feature definition and classifcation techniques.

  
   
• Catastrophe and Disaster Planning
• Environmental Hazards fieldwork
• Geomorphology
• Geographical Analysis and Modelling

• Geographical Analysis and Modelling

  This module develops your skills in spatial data analysis and modelling. You also explore:

  • the application of techniques using GIS;
  • methods for the analysis of point patterns, spatially continuous data, area based data, spatial interaction data and networks;
  • issues of data visualisation, exploration and modelling;
  • the philosophy of an applied GIS approach; and
  • uncertainty and limitations
  
   
• Globalising Worlds
• Geoscience Fieldwork and Techniques
• Atmosphere and Oceans

Year 3

• Contemporary Issues in Earth and Planetary Science
• Professional Training for Disaster Management
• GIS and Hazards

• GIS and Hazards

  This module explores the patterns and processes of hazards, such as hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and disease transmission, using GIS as an analytical tool.

  You cover hazard prediction, assessment, management and mitigation, including the role of GIS in coping with the aftermath.

  
   
• Disaster Management 1
• Disaster Management 2
• Research Project
• Option modules (including Australian field course)

• Option modules (including Australian field course)

  Options may include:

  • Achieving a Sustainable Future
  • Applied Geoscience
  • Global Environments: Strategic Assessment
  • Water Resource Management