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ESC-30027 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

ESC-30027 - Coastal Environments
Coordinator: Katie Szkornik Room: WSF28 Tel: +44 1782 7 33614
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

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. Climate change means that many coastal environments will experience significant change over the next century, hence our need to understand physical and biological process, and how they impact on landforms in the coastal environment, is more critical than ever. 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 the module focuses on future management of the coastal environment within the context of climate change and sea-level rise.

Aims
This module aims to examine a range of coastal processes and landforms and highlight the links between form, process and function in these coastal environments and do so over a range of spatial and temporal scales. In particular, this module aims to consider the future management of different coastal environments, within the context of climate change and future sea-level rise, and evaluate sustainable management options.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-30027/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain how coastal processes drive biogeochemical change across a range of spatial and temporal scales: 1,2
Communicate evidence-based insights into sustainable coastal management through different formats and to different audiences: 1,2
Assess the vulnerability of a chosen section of the World's coastline to rising sea levels using tide-gauge data from the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL): 1
Critically evaluate a real or hypothetical coastal management decision in the UK using evidence from the research literature, including analysis of economic costs and benefits and impacts on ecosystem services: 2

Study hours

20 hrs interactive lectures (e.g., in-class discussions, small group work and activities, assessment workshops)
40 hrs guided independent study (including engagement with online learning materials, pre- and post-session reading and activities (e.g., engagement with videos, podcasts, padlets, completion of worksheets etc), follow up reading and research)
90 hours researching, preparing and writing up assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Poster weighted 40%
Research Poster
Students work with tide gauge data from the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL), alongside research at the forefront of the discipline, to assess the vulnerability of a chosen section of coastline to rising sea levels. Students submit their work electronically in the form of an individual research poster (A2 in size) suitable for an academic audience. Equivalent to ~1500 words.

2: Report weighted 60%
Report
Students will critically evaluate the management strategy for a chosen coastal environment using evidence from the research literature, and present this in the form of a 1500-word report suitable for a stakeholder audience. The report will summarise the key literature that might be used in a potential cost-benefit analysis of the design, duration and volumes used of a real or hypothetical coastal management decision in a specific location selected by the student in the UK. The report will include consideration of costs, benefits, and ecosystem services, and will utilise tables, schematics and workflow diagrams, as appropriate. Examples of coastal management schemes students may wish to evaluate include: sediment recharge, managed or unmanaged realignment or planting. Full guidance will be provided to students in dedicated assessment workshops and through supporting KLE materials.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026