Structure, Dynamics and Protection of Landscapes

• The academic programme is designed to train specialists who are able to independently carry out a wide range of comprehensive geographical research. They can solve problems arising in the field of interaction between nature and society at the local, regional and global levels. In particular, they take into account various factors of anthropogenic impact on natural landscapes and their modifications, and certain geo-components of the landscape
• Graduates of the programme are able to independently carry out research in the structure and dynamics of landscapes. They also can conduct research and practical activities in such areas as: physical geography; landscape science and landscape planning; monitoring the state of natural and cultural landscapes; landscape ecology; sustainable natural resource management; evolutionary geography; palaeogeography; geochronology; biogeography; soil geography and landscape geochemistry; and engineering, environmental, subglacial, marine, prospecting and structural geomorphology
• The academic programme has been designed taking into account professional standards and the needs of employers

• The University of Belgrade (Serbia)
• The University of Warsaw (Poland)
• The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the University of Wyoming (the USA)
• The Belarusian State University (the Republic of Belarus)
• Odessa I.I. Mechnikov National University (Ukraine)
• Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski (Bulgaria)
• The University of Eastern Finland (Finland)

• Landscape changes under the influence of natural processes and anthropogenic impacts
• Urban landscapes and design of protected areas
• Landscape research in natural and cultural heritage sites
• Landscape-dynamic and landscape-environmental mapping
• Modelling landscape responses to climate change and anthropogenic impacts
• Dynamics of geocryological phenomena
• Absolute and relative dating of Quaternary sediments and bottom sediments within the framework of palaeogeographic land studies and research in mineralisation of different parts of the World Ocean bottom
• Geophysical exploration of Ladoga Lake, Onega Lake, the White Sea and the Barents Seas
• Identification of geological and geomorphological factors of pipeline accidents

The graduates can pursue a career of researchers, developers and teachers:

• at nature reserves and other protected areas, at environmental organisations
• in the field of urban planning
• in the field of tourism and consulting
• to ensure environmental safety of the national economy and other areas of human activity

The graduates can conduct a comprehensive geographical examination of:

• projects aimed at the development of territories of various purpose
• the effectiveness of environmental management projects

The graduates are capable of: 

• development and adoption of regional management decisions
• engineering-geological and engineering-environmental surveys for construction of various economic assets
• teaching of geographical disciplines at education institutions of various levels, including those related to natural sciences, humanities and technology (engineering)