GEOL40710 Natural hazards and risk

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module introduces students to a variety of aspects of the most important natural hazards, including their underlying natural processes, risk assessment and mitigation. Amongst the hazards considered are Landslides, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Climate Change, Floods, and Droughts. We will focus on the principles that feed into risk assessment, which not only includes understanding of the hazard itself, but also vulnerability, exposure, and resilience. We will cover theoretical and practical aspects, and focus on geophysical, hydorlogical, and climatological hazards, where there risks are likely to be exacerbated by ongoing climate change.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module students will:

(a) be familiar with the controlling factors and processes associated with the broad range of natural hazards.
(b) develop a better understanding of the links between hazard, risk, and mitigation of risk for a variety of natural hazards.
(c) have a better appreciation of the increased risks of natural hazards linked to climate change.
(d) have an increased awareness of society’s perception and understanding of hazard and risk.
(e) be familiar with the principles and literature behind natural disaster risk management, including understanding, communicating, and managing disaster risk.
(f) have developed practical skills in defining risk and resilience for hazard and multi-hazard systems.

Indicative Module Content:

The course comprises 10 lectures and 6 practicals, delivered by UCD staff and a selection of external international experts on natural hazards. The practical sessions will include 2 one-day seminars and a half-day fieldtrip.

No previous knowledge of the subject is assumed. The examinable content is that presented in the lectures, practical exercises and independent on-line exercises. No textbook is required.

The first part of the course will provide an introduction to the principles of natural hazards and associated risk assessment, extending from the theoretical through to the practical, and incorporating scientific, societal and economic issues.
The second part of the course consider current understanding and management of a selection of geophysical risks, including Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tsunami, by reference to case studies and associated mitigation efforts.
The third part of the course will outline current understanding and management of hydrological and climatological risks that will be exacerbated by ongoing climate change including landslides, flooding, droughts and sea level change.
Seminars will be conducted on natural hazards and risk mitigation in New Zealand and on Disaster Risk Management.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Practical

18
Field Trip/External Visits

4
Autonomous Student Learning

56
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Learning is through a series of lectures, practicals and seminars. Practical classes involve individual problem-solving, map interpretation and GIS based exercises. In addition to the lecture and practical classes there will be two day-long seminars and one half-day field class. Seminars will be led by expert visitors, Profs Andy Nicol from University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and by Prof. Carina Fearnley, University College London, and will have lecture and practical components: post-seminar essays will be the principal write-up for these seminars . The field trip will examine potential natural hazards in Killiney Beach, including landslides and coastal erosion. Lecture, practical, seminar and field trip material will be examined through an MCQ exam and single final exam. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

No prior learning requirements


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Seminar: Attendance and associated report for seminar presented by Professor Andy Nicol (University of Canterbury) entitled 'New Zealand’s natural hazards & associated risk mitigation'. Week 6 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15
Class Test: 2 hour written exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40
Continuous Assessment: Contribution to 4 class discussion boards considering key hazard & risk papers Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Fieldwork: Half day field class and associated report Week 8 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15
Multiple Choice Questionnaire (Short): MCQ: includes content from lectures, all-day seminars, and required reading Unspecified n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

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

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Oral individual and group feedback in practical classes.

Name Role
Professor Jacky Croke Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Claire Harnett Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Eoghan Holohan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sam Kelley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ivan Lokmer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tobi Morakinyo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jonathan Turner Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Field Trip Offering 1 Week(s) - 8 Fri 09:00 - 12:50
Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 6, 11 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 8, 10, 12 Wed 09:00 - 12:50
Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7 Wed 09:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 6 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn