GEOG20040 Rivers, Estuaries and Coasts

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module introduces fluvial (river), estuarine and coastal environments from a geomorphic systems perspective. Geomorphology is the study of landforms, and the materials and processes involved in landform formation and change. The principal geomorphological focus of our study is the river catchment, which includes valley hillslopes, river floodplains and river channels themselves. The course will also consider links to transitional waters (e.g. estuaries) and geomorphic process environments found in the coastal zone. During the course you will learn about the key themes and approaches employed by geomorphologists to understand these settings, and by the end of the module you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the variety of landforms found in a range of catchment and coastal settings.

The form that a landscape takes is a reflection of the dominant processes and materials operating in the system, and the inherited boundary conditions in which the systems forms. An important aspect of this course is therefore understanding the controls responsible for a system’s behaviour, including the hydrological pathways, flow regimes and sediment dynamics. With this knowledge we will explore the connections between a system’s characteristics and environmental change. It is this integrated understanding of the dynamic nature of rivers (estuaries and coasts), that allows stakeholders to make informed (evidence-based) decisions for effective landscape management.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course the student should:

1. be familiar with the key themes and concepts in catchment and coastal geomorphology;
2. be able to demonstrate an understanding of the links between landscape form, materials and processes;
3. have a solid understanding of the key controls governing catchment and coastal dynamics;
4. be able to draw connections between catchment and coastal system behaviour and environmental change;
5. have developed transferable skills in critical thinking, reading and writing.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

1
Autonomous Student Learning

79
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches used in the module are: lectures, single tutorial; critical reading and writing 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Open-book, online exam delivered through Brightspace. Length of exam to be confirmed but will include sufficient time to access and upload exam paper. Coursework (End of Trimester) Yes Graded No

40
Continuous Assessment: In-semester assignments with details to be confirmed at the start of the module Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

40
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: 15-question multiple choice test conducted through Brightspace VLE in Week 5 Week 6 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: 15-question multiple choice test conducted through Brightspace VLE in Week 9 Week 11 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback for written work will be provided to students on Brightspace VLE, post-assessment