PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Geophysical Hazards
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
n/a
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
Intakes from 2003
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Parent Department:
Earth Sciences
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/earth-sciences
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full or part time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
See:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/graduate/taught/degrees/geophysical-hazards-msc
1 year full time, 2 years part time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
Earth Sciences
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
See:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/earthsciences/study/postgraduate/geophysical_hazards
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Name of Board of Examiners:
Earth Sciences
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme will develop students' skills, knowledge and research ability in geophysical hazards, notably the
mechanisms and processes associated with their formation and occurrence, their potential impact on society, and
hazard-management and mitigation strategies, It will also prepare students for entry onto PhD streams and to
appropriate positions in risk evaluation in commercial (including engineering and insurance) and vocational
(including Non-governmental organisations) sectors.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. Geophysical processes operating at
the Earth's surface and in its interior,
and within the atmosphere and nearEarth space.
2. How geological, hydrological and
atmospheric processes result in the
formation and triggering of hazardous
phenomena
3. The temporal and spatial distribution
of hazards.
4. Quantitative modelling of geophysical
hazards.
5. Strategies for managing and
mitigating the risk of geophysical
hazards to human activity.
6. Fundamental research skills,
including (a) the planning and
implementation of investigations (b)
analysis of results, and (c)
presentation of results and
recommendations in written and oral
form.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
A foundation core lecture programme covering essential
elements of geophysical hazards (principal hazard
types, associated processes and mechanisms, impacts,
management and mitigation) and basic research
methods (statistics, developing models, preparing
hazard analyses);
An advanced core lecture programme that address
specialist topics in quantitative modelling and analysis of
geophysical hazards, and practical application of results
for decision-making;
Directed reading: students will follow a programme of
directed reading to support the lecture programmes;
Independent research project: students will develop
research skills by writing a 15,000 word dissertation
based on a literature survey and appropriate new
measurements, and give an oral presentation of the
results.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed by a combination of unseen
written examinations, practical problem-solving
exercises, essays, and an independent research report
(written with oral presentation).
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The programme aims to help students:
Aims (1) and (3) will be addressed by the taught
modules and directed reading, all of which will introduce
information that will need to be assessed critically,
1. Critically evaluate current and
competing ideas about the
mechanisms and processes
associated with geophysical hazards,
their impacts, and their forecasting.
2. Critically evaluate their own research
results.
3. Apply knowledge of geophysical
hazards to evaluate risk and to
recommend appropriate mitigation
strategies.
Aim (2) will be addressed through directed reading and,
predominantly, the independent research project.
Assessment:
Aims (1) and (3) will be assessed by a combination of
unseen written examinations, practical problem-solving
exercises, and essays.
Aim (2) will be assessed through the independent
research report (written with oral presentation).
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. critically evaluate information, ideas
and interpretations.
2. communicate geophysical hazards
research in written and oral forms.
3. contribute effectively in presenting and
discussing seminars.
4. develop research skills to design and
implement an independent research
project and to present the results in
written and oral forms.
(1) and (2) through practical problem-solving exercises,
essays, directed reading and independent project.
(3) through the independent research project and
appropriate components involving seminar
presentations.
(4) through independent research project.
Assessment:
(1) and (2) will be assessed by a combination of unseen
written examinations, practical problem-solving
exercises, and essays.
(3) will be assessed by presentation of results from
independent research project, and the delivery, as
appropriate, of seminars linked to components.
(4) will be assessed through the independent research
report, including its oral presentation.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The programme will encourage students
to: (1) effectively communicate research
information orally and in writing.
(2) critically evaluate information and to
assess conflicting interpretations.
(3) develop skills for quantitative
modelling.
(4) develop confidence in recommending
best-practice strategies.
(5) enhance capacity for independent
thought and problem solving.
(1) through essays and by presentation of results from
Independent research project, as well as appropriate
seminars linked to taught components.
(2)-(4) through taught modules, essays and directed
reading.
(5) through independent research project.
Assessment:
(1) - (4) will be assessed by a combination of unseen
written examinations, practical problem-solving
exercises, and essays.
(1) will be additionally assessed by presentation of
results from independent research project, and the
delivery, as appropriate, of seminars linked to taught
components.
(5) will be assessed by through the independent
research report, including its oral presentation.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Christopher Kilburn
Name(s):
Date of Production:
February 2003
Date of Review:
February 2015
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
February 2015
December 2014
February 2015