Geography - Undergraduate Studies

The objectives of the study program include:

• enabling students to perform practical work in jobs that require knowledge in the field of geographical sciences;
• students gaining knowledge in the field of geographical sciences, and being able to connect and apply them;
• that the student has understood modern trends in the field of geography and is able to use professional literature and modern information and communication technologies in acquiring knowledge in the field of geographical sciences and related fields, i.e. for further self-improvement;
• preparation for further education;
• developing students' awareness of the necessity of permanent education, the development of society as a whole;
• providing academic education that goes beyond a narrow professional framework and developing professional and scientific awareness of the values of modern society.

Such objectives are obtained through:

• introduction to geographical thematic features;
• developing the ability to understand and formulate problems, modeling systems with the aim of solving practical problems in geographical space;
• developing learning abilities using modern geographical methods;
• mastering the content offered within the academic-general education subjects; encouraging communication and teamwork.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Prishtina, temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica, has defined the basic tasks and goals within the Quality Assurance Strategy. The goals of the study program are directed towards acquiring academic, professional and creative skills are in line with the requirements of the time, the labour market, as well as the basic educational tasks and objectives at the University of Priština - Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics.

Greater efficacy of studying is ensured by making all courses last one semester, and by creating a dynamic system for monitoring and measuring the students’ progress. This was, depending on the course, the students can obtain 30-70% of course points by fulfilling their tasks and course assignments (exercises, seminar papers, term test, fieldwork, etc.).

The role of students in achieving the goals of the study program is varied. The organization of the curriculum allows students to independently create their educational profile not only through the choice of elective courses but also through involvement in the internal evaluation of the program, teacher quality and teaching process, thus initiating changes in the study program and teaching methods.

By completing the undergraduate studies of Geography, students acquire the following general abilities:

• ability to think logically, formulate assumptions, draw conclusions in a formal and formalized way;
• ability to communicate at a professional level and teamwork;
• ability for professional growth;
• ability to follow and understand contemporary trends, both in the profession and in the social environment;
• ability to apply knowledge in practice;
• the ability to think critically and self-critically by fostering such an approach;
• ability to present the results of the work;
• ability to respect professional ethics.

By completing the undergraduate studies of Geography, students acquire the following subject-specific abilities:

• knowing and understanding of basic areas of geographical sciences;
• knowing and understanding of geographical studies and ability to apply it;
• understanding the contemporary efforts within the field of geography;
• ability to connect sciences that are closely related to geography;
• ability to apply the acquired knowledge in solving practical problems;
• ability to follow and apply innovations in the profession;
• ability to use professional literature and modern information and communication technologies in acquiring knowledge in the field of physical and social geography, as well as tourism and spatial planning;
• ability for further improvement and education during master’s studies;

The competencies listed above outline the expected outcomes of the study program, which include the graduates acquiring a university education as well as a range of skills needed for employment, i.e. a set of skills that the average student should possess and demonstrate.

The study program of Geography, Undergraduate Studies contains all the elements essential for a curriculum in Geography, and has been harmonized with the curricula of the corresponding study programs both in Europe and in the world. The study program is harmonized with the curriculum of Geography Undergraduate Studies at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University "St. Cyril and Methodius '' in Skopje (Northern Macedonia), the curriculum of the Department of Geography at the University of Temišvar (Romania) and the curriculum of the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Almost all segments of the study program, such as academic titles, duration and ECTS credit system, course names and contents, methods of taking the exams, learning outcomes and teacher competencies, are harmonized with those of most European higher education institutions.

In this view, it should be emphasized that this study program is designed based on the positive experience of European higher education institutions that have successfully implemented the Bologna reform.