Geological Hazards

Core Courses

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Acquire and deepen knowledge through technical and methodological tools necessary to understand the functioning of geodynamic systems using a multidisciplinary approach.
• Apply new in-situ expertise approaches to cyclical (geological) phenomena at risk, through integrated geodynamic design.
• Contribute to objective academic research based on a strategy that withstands the instability of environmental and socio-economic constraints.
• Promote the transfer of knowledge in preventive mapping with local communities, based on scientific collaboration with a shared interest, particularly in the training of good managers for natural disaster risk management.

🔵 Semester 1

Subject: Structural Geology

Unit: UEF 1.1.1

Teaching Objectives:

Understand the spatial arrangement of geological bodies, analyze structural parameters via microtectonics, structural mapping, and stereographic projection. Application in geomechanics and civil engineering.

Subject: Geomorphology

Unit: UEF 1.1.2

Teaching Objectives:

Study landforms and assess terrain vulnerability through slope, elevation, and hydrographic network analysis.

Subject: Hydrogeology

Unit: UEM 1.1.1

Teaching Objectives:

Understand aquifer systems, assess flood and pollution risks, and model groundwater flow.

Subject: Petrography

Unit: UEM 1.1.2

Teaching Objectives:

Analyze rock types to interpret internal geodynamic processes like volcanism and seismicity. Introduction to seismotectonics.

Subject: Geostatistics

Unit: UED 1.1

Teaching Objectives:

Apply statistical tools in geosciences for risk modeling, using GIS and spatial estimation techniques.

Subject: Scientific English

Unit: UET 1.1

Teaching Objectives:

Develop scientific communication skills in English, both written and oral.

🟢 Semester 2

Subject: Risk Expertise

Unit: UEF 1.2.1

Teaching Objectives:

Conduct field analysis of risk phenomena, collect and process in-situ data for expert reporting.

Subject: Risk Management

Unit: UEF 1.2.2

Teaching Objectives:

Understand preventive planning and crisis coordination strategies, including PPRN.

Subject: Geophysics

Unit: UEM 1.2.1

Teaching Objectives:

Explore subsurface structures using geophysical techniques (seismic, electric, etc.) to assess vulnerability.

Subject: Field Internship

Unit: UEM 1.2.2

Teaching Objectives:

Apply theoretical knowledge on site, observe geological risks, and conduct real-time measurements.

Subject: Geomatics

Unit: UED 1.2

Teaching Objectives:

Learn to use GIS and spatial data tools for analyzing and visualizing geological hazards.

Subject: Applied Informatics

Unit: UET 1.2

Teaching Objectives:

Use programming and databases to model risk phenomena and manage scientific data.

🟠 Semester 3

Subject: Risk Engineering

Unit: UEF 2.1.1

Teaching Objectives:

Use mathematical models to assess and simulate geological risks. Analyze rare events with probabilistic approaches.

Subject: Risk Mapping

Unit: UEF 2.1.2

Teaching Objectives:

Develop detailed hazard maps using GIS, and analyze geotechnical and tectonic conditions.

Subject: Hazard Modeling

Unit: UEM 2.1

Teaching Objectives:

Simulate hydrological and geological risks using probability distributions (e.g., Gumbel, Weibull).

Subject: Algebraic Mapping

Unit: UED 2.1

Teaching Objectives:

Cross-analyze spatial data using Boolean algebra and GIS to produce multi-criteria risk maps.

🔴 Semester 4

Subject: Final Internship with Dissertation

Unit:

Teaching Objectives:

Apply learned knowledge in a professional environment; analyze a real-world geological risk and write a final report.

Advanced Topics

Targeted Career Profiles and Skills

The main risks addressed in this specialization "RNG" include seismic risks, hydrological risks (flooding of wadis and valley floods), landslide risks, sand accumulation in depressions, and pollution of aquifers. These natural phenomena are cyclical and non-periodic, resulting in random variables that are the subject of historical inventory (or catalog) of various tectonic, eustatic, and/or climatic variations. Data processing and frequency analysis often contribute to the modeling of chronic events, thus allowing the estimation of distribution laws and evaluating density functions for hazard calculations. Data computerization and thematic mapping will play a significant role in geomatics applications. The methodological part is fully aligned with the personal work that the future Master's candidate must present. The Master's students will thus be able to secure positions of responsibility in professional settings, and they will also be able to apply confidently for national and/or international competitions to continue their post-graduate studies.

Regional and National Employment Opportunities for Graduates

Since northern Algeria is exposed to several types of risks, managing these risks is a constant threat to development and territorial planning. In this context, the Master's program in Natural Risks can contribute to risk management. This profile equips students to provide the user sectors (local authorities, provincial governments, public works, hydraulics) with professionals responsible for risk analysis and management in all its components. Career opportunities are abundant, particularly in mining expertise, technical assistance for "risk" monitoring stations, geological surveying offices, public works site managers, and project managers with significant professional experience.