MA/MS in Geography and Spatial Planning

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: To develop and strengthen the professional competence on the basis of essential geographical knowing; to bring up the competences on scientific research; knowledge and it’s applying in various circumstances; to give a knowledge and competence what are necessary for working in the spheres of land-use planning; to train constructive thinking and intellectual satisfaction in the study and working process. Learning outcomes: Specific competencies developed: • has knowledge in peculiarities of society development and territorial organization, understands cartographic and geographic information communication processes; • knows and understands the spatial planning documents and the methodology of their development; • comprehends laws of socio-economic processes and principles of regional policy, organization patterns of the cultural landscape in space and time; • masters ideology of sustainable development; • is able develop and apply methodologies for applied research, qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the territorial dissemination of social processes; • has skills in regionalization of territory, identifying development problems of the territory, solving conflicts between use and protection, forming conception of rational use of the territory; • is able to identify territorial values and to provide conservation measures for them, to make environmental impact assessment; • is able to apply reasonable legal norms, to develop plans/projects, using the computer media to cartographically visualize the analysis results and planning solutions. Learning outcomes: • A graduate has good working knowledge of interaction and spatial differentiation of natural and cultural landscape, social and economic systems; • He/she has a grasp of fundamentals in town, regional and environment protection planning, land tenure, forest and water management, methodology of applied research; • A graduate is also able to apply analytic methods and GIS technologies to problem solving and possesses a range of skills including communication, mapping, statistic research, scientific investigation, teamwork, systemic and analytic thinking. Activities of teaching and learning: Lectures, practical training, seminars, consultations, self-study. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: The main form of evaluation is an examination. However, courses units may be evaluated by the pass/fail evaluation as well. Every course unit is concluded with either a written or written-oral examination or pass/fail evaluation. Student's knowledge and general performance during the exam are evaluated using grading scale from 1(very poor) to 10 (excellent), or by pass or fail evaluation in the cases when pass/fail evaluation is foreseen as a final evaluation of the course unit. Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: Subjects of human geography study field (60 credits): Methodology of scientific work, Methodology of applied exploration, Methodology and application of GIS, Theories of society and human geography, Geography of cultural landscape, Methodology of territorial development, Lithuanian regions and regional policy of European Union, Social and economic structure of Lithuania, Yearly scientific report, Scientific research practice (3 weeks). Subjects of territorial planning study field (30 credits): Regulations of territory development, Forest management and greenery planning (optional), Water management (optional), Land tenure and cadastres, Regional and urban planning, Development of environmental projects. Finalizing subjects module (30 credits): Master seminar, Master final thesis (human geography), Master final project (territorial planning). Specialisations: Territorial planning Optional courses: In the 2nd semester a possibility to choose between other study field subjects: Forest management and greeneries planning and Water management. Distinctive features of a study programme: A study programme combines two study fields. Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: A graduate is able to work in various ecological, sociological, economic research or territorial planning spheres as well as at institutions dealing with the issues of nature usage, environment protection, economy and governance. Access to further study: Masters in Geography and Land Management may develop their qualification at doctoral studies in sociology (social geography, urban and countryside planning) in Lithuania or in human geography and territorial planning abroad.