Applied geography and geoinformatics

The study of Applied Geography and Geoinformatics opens a way to understanding of spatial analyses and their evaluations; no matter whether related to Physical and/or Human Geography. It is stated, that about 80 percent of human activities have a relation to a specific location. The methodological background and related applications enables to answer several questions related to a location. The following examples are provided: "Which combination of requirements leads to landslides?", "Where should I locate a new office of my company?", "Which areas and how many people will be affected by so-called 20-years floods?" or "Which utility data and maps are available for my area of interest?". Applied Geography and Geoinformatics uses the cornerstones of data and processing modelling. However, it adds understanding of a space in contrary to purely oriented informatic study programmes.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• explain the principles, methods and practices of basic as well as advanced spatial analyses
• conduct a field survey
• process measured/obtained data qualitatively as well as quantitatively
• critically interpret results
• present results of spatial analyses (in a form of a map)

The graduates of this study programme have knowledge and skills to be able to perform work in public administration bodies, research organisations, non-profit organisations as well as commercial companies. The graduates have primarily the supportive role during decision-making processses. The graduates is able to serve as a consultant due to the logical chain of knowledge and skills: from data acquiring, processing, analyses, evaluation and presentations.

Practical training, besides those provided by Masaryk University, accompanied by supervision is an obligatory part of the curriculum for this field to an extent of two weeks in public administration bodies/research organisations/non-profit organisations/commercial companies as well as field training in a micro-region lasting five days.

A standard scope of a Diploma thesis ranges from 60 to 75 pages including cover sheet, content, index, list of literature, and annotations. A Diploma thesis has to aim at applied research. Students should demonstrate the ability to work critically with data, specialized texts, process the concepts and theories discovered there, and find relevant answers to the given question. Several Diploma theses are elaborated in a consultancy with student's future employer.

After completion of the Bachelor's studies, it is possible to continue further studies in any PhD. degree programme (after satisfying the admission requirements).