Bachelor of Science in Geography (4 years, 240 ECTS) – modules: Geo-informatics, Geo-ecology – 2016/2017-2022/2023

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The name of the study programme is Bachelor of Science in Geography (4 years, 240 ECTS) – modules: Geo-informatics Geo-ecology.

In the 4^th year of their studies, students choose one of the two elective modules: Bachelor with Honours in Geography- Geoinformatics or Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoecology, where upon the completion of studies the candidates acquire the title of Bachelor with Honours in Geography -Geoinformatics or Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoecology (stated in the diploma supplement).

 The aim of the study programme is mastering the content of the branches of Geography such as Physical Geography and Human Geography, inter-related branches like Regional Geography, as well as multidisciplinary content in the fields of Geoinformatics and Geoecology, which synthesize the state-of-the-art achievements in Geosciences, especially those reflecting and solving problems of the modern society within a particular geographical area. The nature of this study programme and the concept of the courses reflect the characteristics and type of the achievements in geographical research.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

Academic studies are conducted depending on the number of students enrolled, their interest and academic achievements during the course of studies. This influences the choice of teaching method: direct, indirect or other. The applied teaching methods are traditional ex cathedra teaching, interactive dialogue (mainly heuristic), graphic, illustrated-demonstrative, experimental, fieldwork, writing of the seminar papers and their oral presentation, etc.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Title of the study programme and study cycle is Bachelor academic studies – Bachelor with Honours in Geography.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

Studies last for four years. Every course has a defined number and type of lectures depending on the applied approach, teaching method and the overall educational technology.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

The overall credit score of the study programme is 240 (245) ECTS (60/61 during the first three years and 60 ECTS in the fourth year, whereas the final diploma examination and paper confers 17 ECTS.

Transferring from Another Study Programme

Conditions for transfer from other study programmes within related fields are defined in accordance with the valid study programmes at the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad.

Courses are grouped in four categories:

1. Academic-general education (14,5%)

2. Theoretical-methodical (21,2%)

3. Scientific (34,3%) and

4. Professional-applied courses (42,2%).

Teaching is conducted through active methods and comprises lectures, exercises, practical work, fieldwork, seminar papers, and consultative work.

The purpose of Bachelor with Honours in Geography study programme is educating students in recognized and well-established professions. Study programme provides competencies, which are desirable and useful to society. Geoinformatics and Geoecology are interdisciplinary sciences, which study interaction between biotic and abiotic factors within one geographical space.  Spatial problems related to relief, hydrology, climate, soil and other abiotic factors of a geographical space are related to biotic and anthropogenic component and make the core study subject of the study programmes of Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoinformatics or Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoecology.

Being interdisciplinary sciences, study programmes within the Bachelor with Honours in Geography orientation, use various up-to-date scientific-research methods belonging to Geography and other related natural sciences which share the common feature of being applicable in one geographical space. Students will be trained to use research methods related to applied disciplines in Geography but also those in Biology and Chemistry. Field research makes the basis for data collection within the Bachelor with Honours in Geography orientation. Various knowledge and competencies in multidisciplinary sciences like Geosciences, Informatics, Statistics and Mathematics are used in processing and analyzing the collected data. Students are trained to store the collected and analyzed data into systems and featured databases, which make the solid and long-lasting access to geodata. These data (collected or analyzed) can be shown through visual methods by applying cartographic methods and solutions as well as modern information technologies (Geographic Information Systems). Students will be able to clearly and accurately present the results and use them in proposing solutions to problems existing in a geographical space.

During the course of four years of education in bachelor academic studies, students of Bachelor with Honours in Geography orientation go through two formal phases. During the first three years they acquire knowledge in Geosciences, while in the fourth year they need to choose one of two offered modules Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoinformatics or Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoecology. During the fourth year, students obtain knowledge specific to the module chosen.

The purpose of the study programme is in line with the main tasks and goals of the Faculty of Sciences and Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management.

Goals of the study programme comprise competences and academic skills together with methods used in acquiring them. They also include creative skills development and mastering specific practical skills needed to work as a Bachelor with Honours in Geography.

Goals of the study programme are in line with the main tasks and goals of the higher education institution which conducts the particular study programme.

Main goals of the study programme Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoinformatics and Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoecology are based on:

1. Acquiring methods for identifying problems in geographical space;

2. Ability to use analytic-synthetic approach to geoproblems;

3. Mastering knowledge in multidisciplinary fields like Geoinformatics and Geoecology;

4. Acquiring skills and knowledge for analyzing geospatial data by using specific methods of applied Geography disciplines;

5. Acquiring skills and knowledge for analyzing geospatial data by using specific methods in Biology and Chemistry;

6. Acquiring skills and knowledge for analyzing geospatial data by using specific methods in Informatics, Statistics and Mathematics;

7. Knowledge on how to manipulate, store and interpret geodata;

8. Acquiring knowledge used for visualization and graphical presentation of geodata.

1. Acquiring methods for identifying problems in geographical space is one of the starting points in the Bachelor with Honours in Geography orientation. The aim is provide students with complex geographical knowledge which they will use to define and recognize problems occurring in geographical space.

2. Enabling students to use analytic-synthetic approach to analyze problems in geospace represents a significant methodological link in interdisciplinary research.

3. The aim is to enable students to master knowledge in fields like Geoinformatics and Geoecology, which are multidisciplinary in nature and build upon the basic geographical knowledge.

4. The aim is to enable students to master the research methods used in state-of-the-art applied geographical research. Knowledge and skills are necessary in contemporary scientific research and analysis as well as in proposing solutions to problems occurring in geospace.

5. The aim is to enable students master the research methods used in state-of-the-art applied research in Biology and Chemistry. Knowledge and skills are necessary in contemporary scientific research and analysis as well as in proposing solutions to problems occurring in geospace.

6. The aim is to enable students master the research methods used in state-of-the-art applied research in Informatics, Statistics and Mathematics. Knowledge and skills are necessary in contemporary scientific research and analysis as well as in proposing solutions to problems occurring in geospace.

7. Acquiring knowledge to manipulate, store and interpret geodata is an important part in understanding geospace together with its specific natural and social laws.

8. Enabling students for visualization and graphical presentation of geodata collected through field research or through other analytical methods.

General and course-specific competencies of students

By mastering the study programme of Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoinformatics and Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoecology, students gain the following general competencies:

• Analysis, synthesis and foreseeing the problems in geospace, consequences and finding feasible solution for their mitigation and removal;
• Mastering various methods, procedures and processes used in scientific research;
• Developing critical and self-critical thinking and approach in application of scientific methods;
• Applying knowledge in practice;
• Developing communication skills and collaboration with immediate social and international environment;
• Ability to manage research and project teams;
• Communication and interaction with fellow-colleagues and those belonging to other institutions and public.

Learning outcomes

Students of the orientation Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoinformatics acquire the following course-specific skills and competences:

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the discipline and a particular field and vocation;
• Problem-solving using various scientific methods and procedures;
• Connecting basic knowledge in Geosciences and their application by using different parts of geoinformatic systems;
• Analyzing data in basic geographical disciplines by using geoinformatic methods;
• Building systems for creating the data bases with the aim of storage, analysis and visualization of geographical data;
• Following, continual development and applying state-of-the art results in the field;
• Development of skills and competencies in using geoinformatic knowledge in the fields which understand the research of geographical data;
• Planning and self-evaluating own professional development and improvement in the field of Geoinformatics;
• To work in scientific institutions recognizing the specific legal framework on professional titles;
• To work in geodetic and cartographic services;
• To work in specific fields of Informatics;
• To work in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, mining and energetics;
• To work in transportation companies as experts on monitoring of spatial activities regulated and foreseen by legal frameworks;
• To work on infrastructure system maintenance;
• To work in expert, development and monitoring services within different managing authorities;
• To work in institutions which deal with nature protection;
• To work in the army and police forces, as well as in other emergency services.

 Students of the orientation Bachelor with Honours in Geography – Geoecology acquire the following topic-related skills and competences:

• Acquiring multidisciplinary knowledge in Geoecology;
• Analyzing, identification and solving potential problems which are outcomes of interaction among the abiotic, biotic and anthropogenic factors in geospace;
• Connecting basic knowledge in applied Physical Geography and related disciplines and their application in various segments of geoecological research;
• Identification of geoecological problems by applying the physical-geographical scientific methods;
• Using geodata in analyzing geoecological problems;
• To propose solutions to geoecological problems by using the previous identification and analysis;
• Building systems for creating the geoecological data bases with the aim of storage, preservation and further analysis;
• Mapping and visualization of geoecological problems in geographical space;
• Following, continual professional development and application of state-of-the-art results in the field of expertise;
• Developing skills and competences in application of geoecological knowledge in activities which understand research of geographical space;
• Planning and self-evaluating own professional development and improvement in the field of Geoecology;
• To work in services dealing with management of the protected natural areas;
• To work in geodetic, ecological, geospatial and similar inspecting authorities;
• To work in geoecological and ecological company services;
• To work in institutions dealing with nature protection;
• To work in scientific institutions recognizing the specific legal framework on professional titles;
• To work in geodetic services;
• To work in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, mining and energetics;
• To work in expert, development and monitoring services within different managing authorities;
• To work in the army and police forces, as well as in other emergency services.