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Coastal Environments - ENV00038H

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Ed Garrett
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module aims to arm students with theoretical knowledge of coastal geomorphology and practical application of that information. It will allow students to learn in a variety of ways (lectures, practical, seminars, fieldwork) and allow them to relate what they are learning to real world examples. The lectures will engage students in topical scientific research within the field of coastal geomorphology, while the fieldtrip will provide an opportunity to develop practical skills and experience of local coastal environments.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

Successful students will develop:

  • An ability to critically evaluate the physical processes operating within coastal environments at a range of temporal and spatial scales and their classification
  • An ability to analyse the reasons for changes in sea level and to apply this knowledge to the present and future
  • An ability to use geomorphological mapping effectively and precisely

Academic and graduate skills

  • Successful students will develop:
  • An ability to develop teamwork skills in data collection
  • An ability to access relevant scientific from a variety of different sources and extend the knowledge gained in the lectures through reading
  • An ability to comprehensively summarise relevant information and develop a sustained reasoned argument

Other learning outcomes

The module provides fundamental knowledge of coastal geomorphology useful for students with an interest in global change and coastal environments. The fieldtrip will allow students to apply their knowledge, a skill vital for future employment.There are no charges associated with this fieldtrip.

Written and oral skills are tested through the assessments. The ability to read and summarise scientific papers is a particularly valuable skill for those continuing in academia as well as other professions in the environmental sector.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Coastal Environments Open Exam		 8 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Coastal Environments Open Exam		 8 hours 100

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback on their written work within 4 weeks of the hand in date.

Indicative reading

Bird, E. C. F., 2008. Coastal Geomorphology Chichester: Wiley

Bloom, C.K., MacInnes, B., Higman, B., Shugar, D.H., Venditti, J.G., Richmond, B. and Bilderback, E.L., 2020. Catastrophic landscape modification from a massive landslide tsunami in Taan Fiord, Alaska. Geomorphology, 353, 107029.

Church, J.A., Woodworth, P.L., Aarup, T. and Wilson, S.W., 2010, Understanding Sea-level Rise and Variability, Wiley-Blackwell.

Cooper, J.A.G., O’Connor, M.C. and McIvor, S., 2020. Coastal defences versus coastal ecosystems: a regional appraisal. Marine Policy, 111, 102332.

Davidson-Arnott, R., Bauer, B. and Houser, C., 2019. Introduction to coastal processes and geomorphology. Cambridge University Press.

French, P.W. 2001. Coastal defences: Processes, Problems and Solutions. Routledge.

Masselink, G. and Gehrels, W.R. 2014. Coastal Environments and Global Change. Wiley/Blackwell.

Woodruff, J.D., Irish, J.L. and Camargo, S.J., 2013. Coastal flooding by tropical cyclones and sea-level rise. Nature, 504, 44-52

Woodworth, P.L., 2022. Advances in the observation and understanding of changes in sea level and tides. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.