Course geographic analysis of natural risk MOOC University Alicante

Natural risks course

Although humans can do little or nothing to change the incidences or intensities of most of the natural phenomena, we have an important role to play to ensure that natural events that may occur produce do not turn into disasters by our own actions.

Human activities can influence the frequency and severity of certain natural hazards. Understand when, where, why and how they occur can help us understand how minimize its impact on our lives.

And if you don't think it's an important topic, you just have to look at the following graph from our article on resilience in cities of the reported annual number of natural disasters, classified by type (Includes weather and non-weather related disasters):

The MOOC course deals with all this and much more. online launched by the University of Alicante called « Geographical analysis of natural risk; perceive, plan and manage uncertainty » that begins in September.

The objective of the course is twofold; On the one hand, conceptualize and understand the geographical discipline, the physical dimension social and territorial risk 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 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 dedication is recommended weekly to each module.

Structure

Course made up of 8 modules in total (presentation, content and closing – evaluation. With 5 units/module.

• Module 0. Presentation of teachers and course
• Module 1. It delves into the concept and typologies of natural hazard
• Module 2. We will see the risk analysis natural
• Module 3. (Dis)organization of land uses and territorial planning
• Module 4. You will see the GIS method and cartography of the risk
• Module 5. It delves into risk perception and media
• Module 6. Climate change is analyzed, vulnerability and resilience
• Module 7. Evaluation – final test

Materials

In each module we will find: Videos + materials complementary. There is a discussion forum in the course. open for the duration of it.

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 profile academics multidisciplinary team plus two support technicians with capacity dynamic.

Course certificates

There are two certificate options in this MOOC (Actually all MOOC courses work like this):

• Certificate of participation , which is gratuitous. Actually, we only have a justification that We have completed the training from within the platform, without possibility to download. It is for those users who they only want to increase their knowledge, without the need to have an endorsement or academic certificate.
• Certificate of achievement with a cost from €40. It can be downloaded as a diploma in PDF format and like a badge It is necessary to take all the modules 100% and pass the tests assigned in each module and end.

This course is launched as a complementary tool and public access to the master Risk Planning and Management Natural Sciences taught by the University of Alicante itself and coordinated by María Hernández (Professor U. Alicante del regional economic analysis department) 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 (Currently closed course from Miriadax but every year they open a call from the University of Alicante HERE).

Note: As always, doubts arise about how the courses work MOOC, we add a small comment to clarify concepts:

MOOC = Massive Open Online Course (Massive Online Courses and open)

The launch date of the MOOC

• When the course is first launched we have: Videos, documentation, test, etc. + Teachers (We can be tutored by teachers).
• When the course ends: The videos, documentation, quiz etc. They are still on the platform and we can take the MOOC but without Teachers. It will be a “self-study” course. no teachers.

The price of the MOOC

• There is always a free option. We can perform the course, but we will NOT have a certificate of it. Only will serve to increase our knowledge, but we cannot justify or academically validate the course (we will NOT have proof of degree that supports the course)
• There is always a payment option. we will have a certificate in PDF as we have completed the course, provided that we have finished all the modules and test at 100% (Or according to course specifications). The price will be "X" that usually is, less or more, with reference to the quality of the University that teaches it (IF we will have proof degree that endorses the course)