School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
ESC-30027 Coastal Environments  
Co-ordinator: Dr Katie Szkornik    Room: WSF28, Tel:33614  
Teaching Team:  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this module.
Barred Combinations
Not Applicable
Description

The coastal environment offers a particularly good example within which to study past, present and future patterns of change, especially within the context of global warming and future sea-level rise.

The first part of this module deals with the processes that drive coastal morphological changes, such as sea-level change, tides and ocean waves. The second part discusses the nature of a range of coastal landforms and examines the links between form and processes at a variety of spatial scales. The final part of this module, addressed predominately through the major coursework assignment, deals with the issue of coastal zone management.
Aims
To enable students to develop a broad knowledge of coastal processes and landforms and an appreciation of the links between form and process in the coastal environment, over a range of spatial and temporal scales. In particular, this module aims to enable students to appreciate the vulnerable nature of the coastal environmnet in the context of current global warming debates and with regards to future sea-level rise.
Intended Learning Outcomes
  • Ability to demonstrate a systematic understanding of form and processes in the coastal environment over a range of spatial and temporal scales, based on a detailed and coherent knowledge and understanding of case studies
  • Ability to critically evaluate arguments, assumptions and data in a clear and concise way and to make judgments on the management of various parts of the UK coastline
  • Ability to communicate geographical ideas, principles and theories effectively and fluently by written and visual means and to develop well informed arguments which recognise the vulnerable nature of the coastal environment.
Study hours
  • 10 x 2-hour lectures/practicals
  • Researching, producing and presenting a display poster
  • In class exercise
  • On line WebCT resources for guided independent study
  • Tutor support as required
  • Final examination
Description of Module Assessment
001: Exercise weighted 20%
Short answer in-class exercise
002: Exercise weighted 30%
individual poster, presented conference style
003: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50%
2 hour unseen examination, 2 questions from 6
Reading Sources
Background Reading
Title: Coastal Geomorphology; An Introduction. 
Author: BIRD, E.C.F. 2000.
Title: Beaches And Coasts 
Author: DAVIS, R. AND FITZGERALD, D.M. 2003.
Title: Beaches And Dunes Of Developed Coasts 
Author: NORDSTROM, K.F.A., 2000
Title: Introduction To Coastal Processes And Geomorphology 
Author: MASSELINK, G. AND HUGHES, M. 2003
Version: (1.04S) Created: 04/Jun/2010

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.