Module overview
To give the student a basic knowledge of the main geomorphological processes involved in the shaping of the landscape.
Pre-requisite of GEOG3020/GGES13.
One of the pre-requisites for GEOG2032/GGES2011, and GEOG3057/GGES3019.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use geomorphological principles, theories and methods to undertake research of landforms and landscapes
- Synthesise information from journal sources relevant to dynamic landscapes
- Undertake research on different landforms and landscapes and produce an assignment to a high standard
- Retrieve data on different landscapes and landforms from Google Earth and a virtual fieldcourse
- Understand the importance of spatial characteristics of landforms in different environments
- Collect, analyse and understand data on landforms and landscapes using virtual-field and computer techniques
- Understand the nature of changing landscapes
- Understand the spatial and temporal scales of landscape dynamics
- Gain knowledge of the relationships between how humans can shape landscapes
- Utilise the concept of space and spatial variation to demonstrate landscape dynamics
- Pursue knowledge of geomorphic processes in an in-depth, ordered and motivated way
- Gain knowledge of the various approaches to represent different landscapes
Syllabus
Over the last few decades the study of landscape dynamics (or geomorphological processes) has become increasingly important. Scientists (or geomorphologists) have wanted to understand how particular landforms and landscapes were created, and engineers and environmental managers have needed to understand landscape dynamics in order to better manage coastal, glacial, desert and fluvial environments. Most recently, geomorphologists have been concerned with how past and future environmental changes affect landforms and landscapes. Landforms and, at the larger scale, landscapes, are fashioned by many processes operating on different materials: they also reflect the history of processes operating over days to millions of years. The module provides an introduction to these dynamic landscapes, focusing on aeolian, coastal, fluvial and glacial processes, with the aim of understanding the nature and causes of changes in landform and landscape both on Earth and other planetary bodies. The module will also address the topic of how life on Earth helps to shape the physical landscape, and vice versa, with the most obvious example being the influence of human activity on our planet.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, virtual field course and assignments, alongside student-led reading and reflection
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 116 |
Teaching | 34 |
Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 60% |
Exam | 40% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Exam | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External