Postgraduate Programme “Applied Geography and Spatial Planning”

The department of Geography commenced its Post-graduate Studies Programme (PSP) Applied Geography and Spatial Planning in the academic year 2005-2006. The PSP lasts three semesters (two semesters of lecturing modules and one semester for the elaboration of the MSc thesis) and operates three courses:

Stream A΄:
Management of Natural and Human Induced Disasters, which aims at offering theoretical and applied knowledge on issues referring to the meaning of natural and environmental risks and interrelated terms, the analysis of the natural processes which might trigger disasters, the social and economic impacts of disasters, the concepts of vulnerability, exposure and resilience, the use of modern technologies in disaster management, and the policies aiming at mitigation, preparedness, emergency and recovery / rehabilitation / reconstruction.

Stream Β΄:
Spatial Policies and Development in Europe, which aims at offering / disseminating knowledge on issues referring to the European institutions and European integration processes, the art of spatial planning at regional, national and European level, the urban and rural development / restructuring patterns of Europe, the social exclusion and segregation in cities, and the migration policy and flows in different scales. In addition, the course supports training on methods of scientific research in geography and spatial analysis.
Stream C΄:
Geo-informatics, which aims at transferring knowledge on issues relevant to technologies of geo-informatics and their special applications for analyzing geographical data, the spatial data bases, the sophisticated techniques of utilizing geographical information systems and remote sensing and the simulation /modeling of geographical data. In addition, there is training on methods of scientific research in geography and spatial analysis.

Each one of the courses is essentially independent, although there are a number of common modules. The modules are organized in the form of lectures and/or seminars, while apart from the teaching staff of the Department, some invited speakers from Greece and abroad contribute substantially to the lecturing and programme.

The objective of the Postgraduate Programme is to educate students and future professionals / officials / researchers / NGO representatives and others so as to be able to plan and manage spatial interventions at various scales of the urban and regional space. In other words the PSP staff aspires to the graduation of experts and specialists ready to apply for a job in the public and private sector and/or third sector organizations, and promote research and production of original knowledge in the domain of Applied Geography and Spatial Planning.

The Postgraduate Programme awards the Postgraduate Diploma of Specialization in the fields of knowledge of the three Courses as outlined above. The official bodies for the organization and operation of the Postgraduate Programme are the General Assembly of the Department of Geography, the Coordinating Committee and the Director of Postgraduate Studies.

Attention!! During the current Academic Year, a new optional module entitled : “ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE: OBSERVATION AND PREDICTION”, is available in the 1st Semester (Stream A – MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL AND HUMAN INDUCED RISKS AND DISASTERS).