Natural hazards course
Although humans can do little or nothing to change the incidences or intensities of most natural phenomena, we have an important role to play in ensuring that natural events that may occur do not turn into disasters through our own actions.
Human activities can influence the frequency and severity of certain natural hazards. Understanding when, where, why, and how they occur can help us understand how to minimize their impact on our lives.
And if you don't think it's an important topic, just look at the following graph from our article on resilience in cities of the annual number of natural disasters reported, classified by type (Climate and non-climate-related disasters are included):
Of all this and much more, the MOOC course online launched by the University of Alicante called «Geographical analysis of natural risk; perceive, plan and manage uncertainty»Which starts in September.
The objective of the course is twofold; on the one hand, to conceptualize and understand the geographical discipline, the physical, social and territorial dimension of natural risk, and on the other, to offer a series of tools for the analysis and management of natural impacts.
To take the MOOC it is not necessary to have previous knowledge, although, obviously, it is more aimed at professionals in the field of environmental sciences or related disciplines such as; surveyors, civil engineers, architects, etc.
Duration
The duration will be 7 weeks. A weekly dedication to each module is recommended.
Structure
Course composed of 8 modules in total (presentation, content and closing - evaluation. With 5 units / module.
- Module 0. Presentation of the teaching staff and the course
- Module 1. Delves into the concept and typologies of natural risk
- Module 2. You will see the analysis of natural risk
- Module 3. (Dis) organization of land use and territorial planning
- Module 4. You will see the GIS method and risk mapping
- Module 5. Delves into risk perception and the media
- Module 6. Climate change, vulnerability and resilience are analyzed
- Module 7. Evaluation - final test
Materials
In each module we will find: Videos + complementary materials. In the course there is an open discussion forum for the duration of the course.
Evaluation
It is evaluated in three points: Partial test for each module, participation in the forum and final test.
Teachers
The teaching staff is made up of 10 academics with a multidisciplinary profile plus two support technicians with dynamic capacity.
Course certificates
There are two certificate options in this MOOC (Actually all MOOC courses work like this):
- Participation certificate, which is free. Actually, we only have proof that we have completed the training from within the platform, without the possibility of downloading. It is for those users who only want to increase their knowledge, without the need to have an academic endorsement or certificate.
- Certificate of completion with a cost of € 40. It can be downloaded as a diploma in PDF format and as a badge. It is necessary to take all the modules at 100% and pass the tests assigned in each module and final.
This course is launched as a complementary tool and of public access to the Master's Degree in Planning and Management of Natural Risks taught by the University of Alicante itself and coordinated by María Hernández (U. Alicante Professor of the department of regional economic analysis) and by Sandra Ricart (Postdoctoral researcher Institute of Geography) teachers of the master.
For more information about the MOOC and to register for the course from the Miriadax platform HERE.
Note: As doubts always arise about how MOOC courses work, we add a small comment to clarify concepts:
MOOC = Massive Open Online Course
The MOOC launch date
- When the course is launched for the first time we have: Videos, documentation, test, etc. + Teachers (We can be tutored by teachers).
- When the course ends: Videos, documentation, test, etc. They are still on the platform and we can take the MOOC online but without teachers. It will be a "self-study" course, without teachers.
The price of the MOOC
- There is always a free option. We can take the course, but we will NOT have a certificate for it. It will only serve to increase our knowledge, but we cannot justify or academically validate the course (we will NOT have proof of qualification that endorses the course)
- There is always a payment option. We will have a certificate in PDF that we have completed the course, provided that we have completed all modules and tests 100% (Or according to course specifications). The price will be "X" which is normally, less or more, with reference to the quality of the University that teaches it (IF we will have proof of qualification that endorses the course)
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