Degree in Geography and Land Use Planning

Estructura del Plan de estudios

El Grado de Geografía y Ordenación del Territorio se ha elaborado según la normativa vigente, atendiendo a la recomendaciones del Libro Blanco del Título de Grado de  Geografía y Ordenación del Territorio y a lo regulado en el Real Decreto 1393/2007 de 29 de octubre, por el que se establece la ordenación de las enseñanzas universitarias oficiales y por las distintas normativas dictadas por la Universidad de La Laguna: el Reglamento de la Comisión de Estudios de Grado de la Universidad de La Laguna (aprobado en Consejo de Gobierno de 22 de octubre de 2007) y las Directrices Generales para el Diseño de Títulos de Grado de la Universidad de La Laguna (Consejo de Gobierno de 30 de enero de 2008). Reglamento de Estudios Oficiales de Postgrado de la Universidad de La Laguna (Consejo de Gobierno, 27 de octubre de 2007), además de los Criterios y directrices para la implantación de títulos del Gobierno Autónomo.
The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Science are incorporated into the general regulations of the ULL, among which the following stand out due to their direct impact on the structure of the curriculum:
– Los créditos con carácter optativo representan entre un 5 y un 10% del total de créditos que debe cursar el alumnado. Se contempla una oferta de dos créditos optativos por cada crédito optativo que haya de superar el alumnado.
– Es recomendable que los 60 créditos de materias básicas sean comunes a los diferentes títulos de una misma rama, preferentemente distribuidos en los dos primeros años. En el caso de que sólo se programen 36, éstos deben ser comunes a todas las titulaciones y deben impartirse durante el primer año.
– La programación incluirá asignaturas en las que el contenido se imparta en otra lengua de la Unión Europea, preferentemente en inglés. En el Grado de Geografía los 12 créditos preceptivos se incorporan a las actividades prácticas  a desarrollar en diversas asignaturas de la oferta formativa.
– Se incluye de forma obligatoria 12 créditos de prácticas externas, así como otros 12 créditos correspondientes al proyecto de fin de grado.
In accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Science and those of the ULL, the plan includes an optional 10% course, a 12-credit external internship, and 12 credits for the final degree project. As a result, the plan is distributed as follows:

1. Distribution of the curriculum by type of subject

The curriculum for the Graduate Degree in Geography and Land Use Planning from the University of La Laguna comprises a total of 240 credits, as shown in the attached tables, based on the subject areas, compulsory and optional courses, the final degree project, and internships.

Distribución del plan de estudios por tipo de materia
Type of subject Credits
Basic training 60
Mandatory 132
Optativas 24 (+24)
Prácticum 12
Final Degree Project 12
Créditos totales 240(264)

2. Modules and subjects included in the study plan

The general objectives, knowledge, and skills of the Bachelor's Degree in Geography and Territorial Planning, outlined in Chapter 3 of this report, have been structured into seven modules. These modules are understood as a grouping of related subjects and courses from a disciplinary perspective, enabling graduates to acquire the necessary skills to achieve an integrated understanding of the territory, develop a critical analysis of the processes and phenomena affecting it, and also the ability to interpret and represent it cartographically, in order to, where appropriate, intervene in the evaluation and management of the environmental, social, and economic problems that territories present at various scales of analysis.
Based on these premises, the content is structured into thematic modules, which are internally broken down into subjects, and these, finally, into courses. Each module consists of one or more subjects with related content, which are sequenced throughout the training plan, from the first to the last semester, according to the degree of complexity. The modules, subjects, and courses incorporate content derived from the professional profiles and the needs they entail, which have been previously defined.
Teniendo en cuenta que las Directrices de la Universidad de La Laguna  establecen que las asignaturas deben tener un mínimo de seis créditos ECTS y un máximo de doce, según sean semestrales o anuales, el Título de Grado de Geografía ha optado por la configuración de asignaturas semestrales de seis ECTS. El plan incluye un total de 264 ECTS, que se distribuyen en los siguientes siete módulos temáticos.

  1. Basic training
  2. Physical geography
  3. Human Geography
  4. Regional Geographic Analysis
  5. Land use planning
  6. Geographic information technologies
  7. Applied Geography

El primer módulo, “Formación Básica”, con 60 créditos ECTS — el 23% —,  pone el acento en los conocimientos básicos de otras disciplinas o técnicas transversales que completan la formación. En este módulo se incluyen, por un lado, las seis materias básicas comunes para la Rama de Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas, en la que se inscribe el Título de Grado de Geografía y Ordenación del Territorio, establecidas por la Comisión de Estudios de Grado de la Universidad de La Laguna, esto es: Comunicación, Derecho, Economía, Estadística, Geografía y Sociología. A estas seis materias el Título de Grado de Geografía y Ordenación del Territorio, incorpora, como materia de Formación Básica, la Historia, cuyo contenido se considera esencial para la adecuada valoración de los procesos y fenómenos territoriales actuales que tienen, como es sabido, una evidente dimensión histórica. Las siete materias se  concretan en  las siguientes diez asignaturas: Comunicación social, Geografía del mundo actual, Estadística, Economía, Sociología, Fundamentos jurídicos de la ordenación del territorio y del urbanismo, Historia del mundo contemporáneo y actual, Fundamentos del sistema climático, Expresión gráfica y cartográfica y, por último, Geografía de la población.
Modules 2, 3, and 4, "Physical Geography," "Human Geography," and "Regional Geographic Analysis," comprise a total of 108 ECTS credits—40.5 % of the total credits. Following the recommendations of the White Paper on the Bachelor's Degree in Geography and Spatial Planning, these modules provide the foundations for understanding the natural and human components of the territory, the factors and processes with territorial impact, the organization of territorial structures at different spatial and temporal scales, and the problems arising from the interrelationships between nature, society, and territory. The organization of these contents combines a traditional analytical approach with an integrated approach that allows not only understanding but also comprehension and interpretation of the complexity of the territory. These modules ensure a solid foundation in the knowledge of the physical and human environment of territories at different scales.
The fifth module, primarily applied in nature, is dedicated to "Land Use Planning" and comprises a fifth—20.5%—of the 54 credits in the curriculum. This module, taking the conceptual framework of Land Use Planning as a starting point and considering the different development models, focuses on the methodologies and instruments of land use planning and development. The objective is to introduce students to the methodological and technical tools necessary for professional practice in this field, which not only involves the ability to prepare land use analyses and diagnoses but also their management. In this case, cross-curricular subjects are incorporated, including environmental issues as well as those related to land use planning.
For its part, the eminently practical training present in all subjects is centrally presented in modules 6 and 7, which, with 42 credits (18% of the total), are allocated respectively to "Geographic Information Technologies" and "Applied Geography." Transversality is also the key to this module, in which the knowledge and training received are applied in the analysis and presentation of results on various territorial issues, and experience is acquired through participation in work carried out in organizations, institutions, or companies that carry out activities related to territorial issues.
In the "Geographic Information Technologies" module, the objectives focus on the processing and analysis of geographic information. The incorporation of new technologies in this module is a key aspect of the training, providing the necessary knowledge for the design, development, and management of Geographic Information Systems and computer-aided mapping.
In this case, the contents of this block are enriched by those provided by the Physical Geography, Human Geography, and Basic Education modules, which, in a cross-curricular manner, incorporate quantitative analysis methodologies and database management, as well as qualitative analysis techniques.
El otro módulo —Geografía Aplicada—  con 24 créditos comprende, de un lado, las prácticas externas integradas (12 créditos obligatorios) y, de otro, el trabajo de fin de Grado (12 créditos). Las prácticas externas son instrumentos de aprendizaje que facilitan la transición entre el mundo académico de la Universidad y el mercado laboral, al proporcionar al alumnado competencias en el trabajo y experiencias pre-profesionales. Las prácticas externas se desarrollarán, de acuerdo con la temporalización prevista, en el último año y en su segundo semestre. El contacto directo del estudiantado, con la realidad laboral en empresas e instituciones, les permite aplicar los conocimientos y habilidades aprendidas en el marco universitario al mundo empresarial. Las prácticas externas posibilitan al estudiante el desarrollo de modos de hacer propios del ámbito profesional.  Se trata de acercarles al mundo profesional, además de ponerles en contacto con geógrafos u otros profesionales que desarrollan su actividad en ámbitos directamente vinculados con el análisis, la ordenación y gestión territorial.
The final degree project, for its part, aims to apply the acquired knowledge to the development of an analysis, diagnosis, and definition of proposals for a territorial area or problem. Students may register for this project once they have earned the 192 compulsory credits (80% of the total credits required), excluding the 12 credits for external internships and the 12 credits for the final degree. By the time the project is submitted, students must have earned the remaining credits required for the degree, i.e., at least 228 ECTS.
The plan's design is intended to train geographers who, as territorial professionals, are capable of understanding, interpreting, organizing, and managing territorial issues. Therefore, the content and its distribution in ECTS credits attempt to combine, in a balanced manner, three axes, taking into account the three areas of knowledge included in the degree: integration, transversality, and professional demands. These three aspects establish the fundamental content and approaches, as they reinforce the integrated nature of the program, as well as the technical and applied aspects.
The following table shows the distribution of ECTS credits for the Bachelor's Degree, which complies with the provisions of Royal Decree 1393/2007. Module I includes the six core subjects common to the Social and Legal Sciences branch of the Geography and Territorial Planning degree program, as established by the University of La Laguna's Undergraduate Studies Committee.

ModuleSubjectSubject
Módulo 1: Formación BásicaCommunicationSocial communication
StatisticsStatistics
EconomyEconomy
SociologyGeneral Sociology
RightLegal foundations of land use planning and urban development
GeographyGeography of the modern world
HistoryContemporary and current history
GeographyFundamentals of the climate system
GeographyGraphic and cartographic expression
GeographyGeography of the population
Módulo 2: Geografía Física (54 créditos ECTS)GeomorphologyStructural foundations of relief
Modeling processes and forms
Structure and dynamics of the landscapeClimate and water resources
Biotic elements of the landscape
Analysis of plant landscapes
Analysis of volcanic landscapes
Analysis of coastal landscapes
Quaternary and recent environmental changes
Natural dynamics of protected areas
Módulo 3: Geografía Humana (24 créditos ECTS)Population and urban spacesAnalysis of urban spaces
Population and territory
Geography of production and spaces of powerTerritorial analysis of tourism and economic activities
Geopolitics
Módulo 4: Análisis Geográfico Regional (30 créditos ECTS)Regional Geographic AnalysisTheory and method of the region
Geography of Europe and the major regions
Geography of Spain
Geography of the Canary Islands
Geography of the Atlantic spaces
Módulo 5: Ordenación del territorio (54 créditos ECTS)Territorial planning and developmentFundamentals of land use planning
Environmental planning and management of the territory
Territorial planning and urban planning
Analysis and organization of Spanish cities
Planning and social policies
Rural environment planning
Territorial development
RisksRisk and Disaster Analysis and Management I
Risk and Disaster Analysis and Management II
Módulo 6: Tecnologías de la Información geográfica (18 créditos ECTS)Geographic Information TechnologiesGeographic Information Technologies I
Geographic Information Technologies II
Geographic Information Technologies III
Módulo 7: Geografía aplicada (24 créditos ECTS)InternshipsInternships I
Internship II
Final Degree ProjectFinal degree project (phase I)
Final degree project (phase II)

Para estructurar el Plan de estudios se ha recurrido al uso de dos niveles de agrupación: materias y módulos. Las asignaturas que pueden concebirse de manera integrada se han agrupado como materias; por otro lado, se han agrupado en módulos una o varias materias que constituyen una unidad organizativa dentro del Plan de estudios.

3. Temporary planning of teachings

The Geography and Spatial Planning degree, with a duration of four academic years and eight semesters, proposes a sequencing of subjects by academic year and semester, respectively. A total of 40 hours per week has been established for each week, respecting the maximum required dedication of each student. This includes both the training activities for all subjects in the corresponding semester and the established dedication time for the student body.
Adopting the general guidelines of the Royal Decree 1393 (art. 12.2) and the General Guidelines of the University of La Laguna For the design of Bachelor's degrees, the curriculum adheres to the following criteria:

  • The minimum number of credits for semester-long courses is six. The equivalencies are as follows: 1 ECTS credit corresponds to 25 hours of student work, of which 10 hours will be in-person activities and 15 hours will be independent work.
  • The structure of each academic year is designed so that students are not required to take more than five subjects simultaneously per semester.
  • The degree has a minimum of 40% credits of practical dedication, which can be developed both in person and online.

The following table shows the chronological planning of the courses, specifying the year, semester, and the nature and type of subjects: basic training in the same branch (FB R) and in the same or other branches (FB), compulsory (OB), optional (OP), internships, and final degree project, with their corresponding distribution in ECTS credits. This chronological planning is in line with the conceptual logic of the modules or subjects that make up the curriculum and that have been presented and described in the previous sections.

1º cuatrimestre2º cuatrimestre
SubjectCreditsSubjectCreditsSubjectCreditsSubjectCredits
PRIMER CURSO
Fundamentos del sistema climático (Fb)6Climate and water resources (Ob)6Comunicación social (Fb)6Fundamentos jurídicos de la ordenación del territorio y el urbanismo (Fb)6
Geografía del mundo actual (Fb)6Economía (Fb)6Expresión gráfica y cartográfica (Fb)6Sociología (Fb)6
Estadística (Fb)6Geografía de la población (Fb)6
SEGUNDO CURSO
Structural foundations of relief (Ob)6Modeling processes and forms (Ob)6Analysis of urban spaces (Ob)6Analysis of volcanic landscapes (Ob)6
Tecnologías de la Información Geográfica I (Ob)6Tecnologías de la Información Geográfica II (Ob)6Biotic elements of the landscape (Ob)6Analysis of plant landscapes (Ob)6
Historia contemporánea (Fb)6Fundamentals of land use planning (Ob)6
TERCER CURSO
Analysis and management of risks and disasters I (Ob)6Analysis and management of risks and disasters II (Ob)6Analysis of coastal landscapes (Ob)6Rural environment planning (Ob)6
Geography of Europe and the major regions (Ob)6Analysis and organization of Spanish cities (Ob)6Geography of Spain (Ob)6Territorial planning and urban planning (Ob)6
Planning and social policies (Ob)6Environmental planning and management of the territory (Ob)6
CUARTO CURSO
Cuaternario y cambios ambientales recientes / Dinámica natural de espacios protegidos6×2Trabajo fin de grado (fase I) (Ob)6Geopolítica (Op) / Población y territorio (Op)6×2Trabajo fin de grado (fase II) (Ob)6
Geography of the Canary Islands (Ob)6Tecnologías de la Información Geográfica III (Op) / Geografía de los espacios atlánticos (Op)6×2Territorial development (Ob)6Internship I (Ob)6
Análisis territorial del turismo y de las actividades económicas (Op) / Teoría y método de la región (Op)6×2Internship II (Ob)6
Carácter de la asignatura
Basic Branch (Fb)Mandatory (Ob)Elective (Op)