* Opportunities for 'hands-on' (field and laboratory) experience of hazard assessment in Britain and overseas * Application of the latest techniques for hazard assessment and mitigation * Investigation of issues at a range of scales from local to global * Application of geospatial mapping technologies (e.g. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS) to evaluate/manage natural hazards and risk * Staff with over 20 years' experience of researching hazards on behalf public and private sector organisations * Study visit to Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples in Year 3 * A wide variety of assessment types * Combines well with Geography and International Development Studies as well as a wide range of non-geography subjects Natural hazards, such as flooding, land instability, windstorms, earthquakes and volcanoes, are some of the most significant global challenges facing humankind today. The 2010 Haiti Earthquake and 2011 Japan tsunami/earthquake is a stark reminder of the destructive power of these natural phenomena. Even in in the UK, around 2.3 million properties in England and Wales are estimated to be at risk of flooding. The floods of 2007 and 2012 demonstrate the widespread impact floods can have on the built environment, lives and livelihood. The Natural Hazard Management (NHM) programme presents you with opportunities to gain practical (field and laboratory) experience of hazard assessment in British and overseas settings, and to develop the ability to apply geospatial mapping technologies (e.g. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS)) to evaluate/manage natural hazards and risk. All this ensures that your knowledge and skills from your Natural Hazard Management degree are relevant to today’s employment market in a variety of planning and environmental management contexts.

* * Opportunities for 'hands-on' (field and laboratory) experience of hazard assessment in Britain and overseas * Application of the latest techniques for hazard assessment and mitigation * Investigation of issues at a range of scales from local to global * Application of geospatial mapping technologies (e.g. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS) to evaluate/manage natural hazards and risk * Staff with over 20 years' experience of researching hazards on behalf public and private sector organisations * Study visit to Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples in Year 3 * A wide variety of assessment types * Combines well with Geography and International Development Studies as well as a wide range of non-geography subjects Natural hazards, such as flooding, land instability, windstorms, earthquakes and volcanoes, are some of the most significant global challenges facing humankind today. The 2010 Haiti Earthquake and 2011 Japan tsunami/earthquake is a stark reminder of the destructive power of these natural phenomena. Even in in the UK, around 2.3 million properties in England and Wales are estimated to be at risk of flooding. The floods of 2007 and 2012 demonstrate the widespread impact floods can have on the built environment, lives and livelihood. The Natural Hazard Management (NHM) programme presents you with opportunities to gain practical (field and laboratory) experience of hazard assessment in British and overseas settings, and to develop the ability to apply geospatial mapping technologies (e.g. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS)) to evaluate/manage natural hazards and risk. All this ensures that your knowledge and skills from your Natural Hazard Management degree are relevant to today’s employment market in a variety of planning and environmental management contexts. You study 60 credits in Geography in your first two years, and up to 80 credits in the final year - the majority in modules which run from October through to April/May. The choice between - and within - your Natural Hazard Management modules increases through the three years of your degree, allowing you to specialise to suit your interests and career aspirations. Year 1 (Level 4) This year is designed to give you a balanced introduction to key geographical knowledge and skills. You study modules in three core areas: * Introduction to Physical Geography and Geology (20 credits) * People, Hazards and Resources (20 credits) * Foundations for Successful Studentship (20 credits) The latter is designed to help you make an effective transition into your higher education studies and includes a residential field course based in Devon to develop foundation field and laboratory methods that can be employed to study hazard processes and help design management strategies. Year 2 (Level 5) This year gives you the opportunity to progress to more specialist work. You take modules in two core areas: * Hazard Processes and Human Vulnerability - this involves exploring in greater depth the mechanisms behind key geomorphological and hydrological hazards such as landslides, soil erosion, coastal erosion and flooding, as well as influences upon individual and community hazard perception and response. There are fieldtrips to various UK locations (40 credits) * Geomatics and Research Design - which provides an introduction to the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) - including digital mapping, GPS, satellite remote sensing and aerial photo interpretation - in hazard management, before designing your final year Dissertation research project (20 credits) In the summer term several opportunities are available for all students to take part in work-based or experiential learning: * A six week Work Based Learning placement. This can relate to your geographical interests (e.g. work for an environmental body, the GIS unit of a local authority in the UK or abroad), or explore a specific career path (e.g. teaching) * Our Fieldwork Applications experiential learning module involves a trip to Spain for you to develop you research skills in a hazard related project * Our optional Norway Expedition at the end of Year 2, for students interested in completing a final year Dissertation on hazard processes such as rockfall or avalanching Year 3 (Level 6) In Year 3 Combined Honours Natural Hazard students have the option to major in Geography (80 credits), minor in Geography (40 credits), or to continue to study your two subjects in equal proportions (60 credits each). The core Year 3 module is Natural Hazard Assessment and Mitigation (40 credits). This module includes a week-long field trip to Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples to explore earthquake and volcano hazard management and emergency planning in a large urban environment. The second part of this core module focuses on UK coastal, slope and river management in the context of climate change and the pressure to develop land (e.g. for housing). Combined Honours student majoring in Natural Hazard management complete a Dissertation (extended research project, 40 credits) or Independent Project (20 credits) on a hazards topic of your choice. The remaining modules at Year 3 are a selection of taught options reflecting the research interests of the lecturers and the diversity of the subject. * Sustainable Futures (20 credits) * Geomatics Applications (Remote Sensing and GIS) (20 credits) * Climate Change: Recent record and future prospects (20 credits) * Geoconservation (20 credits) Most final year modules involve collaboration with external agencies/practitioners. Next: Assessment Assessment is through a combination of examination and continuous (coursework) assessment. The department engages in a wide variety of innovative and imaginative coursework assignments, from podcasting, oral presentations and posters to briefing papers, consultancy reports and essays. You are prepared for these assignments through a combination of lectures, workshop practicals, seminars, tutorials, group projects, fieldwork, laboratory work and online digital resources - as well as through one-to-one work with tutors in the case of dissertations and individual project work. As you progress in your studies you will increasingly learn through independent research outside the classroom. Year 1 * Assessment: The majority of modules use a 50:50 examination/coursework assessment pattern * Teaching: The actual mix varies with topic. A typical module involves two-three hours contact per week (1 hour lecture and 1-2 hours practical) Year 2 * Assessment: Approximately 60% of all assessment is through coursework * Teaching: The norm is a two-hour session per week with a mix of lectures and practicals Year 3 * Assessment: Up to 80% of assessment derives from coursework * Teaching: The norm is a two-hour session per week with a mix of lectures and practicals Your final degree is calculated on the basis of results from your second (33% of the overall final mark) and third (67%) years of study. Next: Careers The course will prepare you for a wide range of jobs including: Jobs directly related to your degree: * Emergency planning/management officer Jobs where your degree would be useful: * Environmental consultant * Logistics and distribution manager * Health and safety adviser * Environmental health practitioner * International aid/ development worker * Water quality scientist You will be equipped with transferable skills which are valued by employers such as: * Written and spoken communication skills * Negotiation * An investigative mind * Attention to detail * Ability to understand and analyse complex information * Ability to be logical and creative * Ability to work to deadlines * Project management If you are studying this course on a combined basis you should look at options with both subjects. For further information please visit: www.chester.ac.uk/careers