School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
ESC-40040 MGeoscience: Coastal Environments  
Co-ordinator: Dr Katie Szkornik    Room: WSF28, Tel:33614  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 4 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Geology Major (Level 4)
Geoscience Single Honours (Level 4)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
Not available to those students who have selected module ESC-30027 (Coastal Environments) as a level 3 option module

Prerequisites
Programme Elective module for MGeoscience students who have been allowed to proceed to the final year (i.e. year 4) of the course.

Description

The coastal zone is a highly dynamic and diverse environment. It contains a wide variety of
geomorphic landforms and is influenced by numerous processes which operate over a range of temporal and spatial scales. This module explores the processes that drive coastal morphological changes, such as sea-level change, tides and ocean waves, discusses the nature of a range of coastal landforms and examines the links between form and process at a variety of temporal and spatial scales. The final part of this module, addressed predominately through the major coursework assignment, deals with the issue of coastal zone management. The module includes both lectures, which incorporate examples of active research in the areas covered, and practical activities, which seek to reinforce the material covered in lectures and through the guided reading.
Aims
This module aims to examine a range of coastal processes and landforms and highlight the links between form and process in the coastal environment over a range of spatial and temporal scales. In particular, this module aims to highlight the vulnerable nature of the coastal environment within the context of current global warming debates and with regards to future sea-level rise.
Intended Learning Outcomes
explain in detail the form and process in the coastal environment over arange of spatial and temporal scales will be achieved by assessments: 1 &3
critically analyse, interpret and evaluate material in a clear and concise way and to make informed judgments on the management of selected coastlines around the World will be achieved by assessments: 2
show awareness of the dynamic, plural and contested nature of the subject area based on knowledge and understanding of research at the forefront of the discipline, as well as the role played by geographers in advancing knowledge and understanding. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2 &3
Study hours
Lectures/practicals 20 hours
Assessment preparation (in-class test) 30 hours
Researching and preparing course work poster 45 hours
Guided independent study (including exam revision) 55 hours
Description of Module Assessment
01: Class Test weighted 20%
Short answer in-class exercise
02: Poster Presentation weighted 30%
Individual poster, presented in a conference environment
03: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50%
2 hour unseen examination
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

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