Disaster Mitigation examines the vital roles of human thoughts and the necessary actions required to minimise disaster risks and maximise awareness of science related to disasters. In terms of university physics students, this course thus educates the students about disasters and their far-reaching implications for the human life. In order to mitigate disaster risks stemming from geophysical hazards (both geological and hydrometeorological), people at risk must be well-informed of dangers and the possible protective measures, and well-prepared in the skills of both prevention and resilience. In this way, there would be disaster risk reduction in terms of fewer deaths and injuries, and less destruction. Class discussions include the concepts of disaster risk reduction (DRR) as a management practice aimed at preventing possible new risks and reducing existing risks, and disaster risk management (DRM) as a useful method aimed at applying and operationalising the objectives of DRR, encompassing disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities.

Sub-CLO1 Being able to understand the concepts of minimising risk and maximising awareness as part of disaster preparedness.

Sub-CLO2 Being able to communicate geophysical hazards to society through well-trained science communication skills.

Sub-CLO3 Being able to understand social science perspectives on local vulnerability to geophysical hazards.

Sub-CLO4 Being able to apply the concepts of disaster risk reduction, community resilience, and risk management in simple public agenda.

Sub-CLO5 Being able to close the gap between geoscience and practice to reduce human and property losses in geophysical disasters.

Sub-CLO6 Being able to create a thematic poster relevant to hazard mitigation study and present it on the basis of video clip presentation.

1. Beer, T. 2010. Geophysical Hazards: Minimizing Risk, Maximizing Awareness. London, UK: Springer, pp. 1-262.
2. Strong, K., Carpenter, O., Ralph, D. 2020. Scenario Best Practices: Developing Scenarios for Disaster Risk Reduction. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and Lighthill Risk Network, pp. 1-44.
3. IOS/EVS/PI/105 REV. 2010. Evaluation of UNESCO’s contribution to Strategic Programme Objective 5: Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation. Paris, France: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, pp. 1-60.
4. James, B. 2007. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation: UNESCO’S role. Paris, France: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, pp. 1-48.