Physical geography

The aim of study in Physical Geography programme is to prepare professionals for public administration, commercial companies as well as research institutions, who show understanding of spatial organization of cultural and natural landscapes. Study further extends knowledge of atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosfere, landforms, soils and biosphere; leads to comprehension of structure, processes, interactions and spatiotemporal dynamics of natural landscape elements. Study enables specialisation in partial disciplines of physical geography such as climatology, hydrology, geomorphology, biogeography or Quaternary environmental change. Study also offers geographical synthesis of partial disciplines of physical geography through summarizing topics of landscape ecology, environmental geography, natural hazards and impacts of ongoing environmental change (climate change in the fist place). Students gain ability to analyze landscape structure, processes driving landscape evolution, and understand interactions between natural landscape elements and human society. Apart from theoretical knowledge of natural landscape elements the study offeres to acquire methods and techniques of field work, landscape mapping, laboratory work and geoinformation technologies.

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

• explain spatio-temporal dynamics of individual landscape systems, including their interactions and mutual influencing
• conduct geographical analysis and synthesis of territorial units at different spatial scales (local, regional, supra-regional), including feedback mechanisms between natural and socio-economical componets of landscapes
• identify, model and evaluate natural hazards and risks affecting human society
• explain causes of environmenatl changes (including climate change) and their potential impacts on natural ecosystems and human society
• apply geographical information systems tools and methods of statistical data processing to concrete tasks from physical geography
• conduct field and laboratory reseaerch, including survey design, collection and processing of samples, mapping, collection and interpretation of data

The graduates are well trained for work positions in state and regional administration offices, professional institutions as well as commercial sphere. Competence in geographical synthesis of natural processes and phenomena within landscapes, including their relations to socioeconomical sphere, offers wide possibilities of employment. Graduate is prepared for work positions in state and regional administration (nature conservation, landscape palnning, regional development, environmental impact assessment etc.), design and planning private companies (flood plans preparation, revitalization of rural landscapes, land adjustments, geophysical surveying etc.) or non-governmental organizations (environmental education, environmental quality, landscape ecology etc.). Theoretical and practical knowledge and skills may be utilized by graduates in research or service institutions engaged in basic and applied research; among such institutions belong institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences (e.g. Institute of Geonics, Global Change Research Institute), TG Masaryk Water Research Institute, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, The Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening. Graduates are also able to gain positions of research or pedagogical workers at university departments of geography.

Part of the study plan is recommended optional course Professional Practice in Geography and Cartography within 10 working days with assigned number of credits. The practical training can be completed in the first or second year of Master's studies. The practical training is offered to students in state and local government offices, professional and research institutions and commercial entities. Examples of organizations and institutions where students complete practical training are state, regional and municipal administration offices, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Nature Conservation Agency, administrations of landscape protected areas and national parks, The Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Transport Research Centre, TG Masaryk Water Research Institute, and last but not least various commercial planning and design companies.

The diploma thesis may be focused on solving general problems of physical geography, but it mostly deals with problems of partial disciplines of physical geography - climatology, hydrology, geomorphology, biogeography, pedogeography or landscape ecology. The thesis has the character of a study of basic or applied research. Its nature may be theoretical, empirical, or methodological. In most cases, this is the original professional work, but it can also be based on already published texts and data accessible for secondary analysis. Depending on the nature of the given topic, student also demonstrates ability to use current field, laboratory, cartographic, geoinformatic and statistical methods and techniques. The thesis is elaborated in the form of comprehensive report, which also includes a literary overview of the problem and a discussion of results in the context of current knowledge of investigated topic. Usual extent of final report is 60 to 80 pages, including diagrams, graphs, tables, maps or photodocumentation. Thesis may also include tied up or free attachments (e.g. maps, plans, photodocumentation etc.) when necessary. For each work, it is mainly assessed the fulfillment of requirements resulting from its assignment, scientific level, formal and linguistic quality, quality and aesthetics of the final report.

After completion of the Master's studies, it is possible to continue further studies in Doctoral degree programme (after satisfying the admission requirements). In particular, the possibility of joining the doctoral study programme Physical Geography is envisaged.