Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module GEOG3431: SPECIALIZED ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Department: GEOGRAPHY

GEOG3431: SPECIALIZED ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap 125 (some specialised aspects have specific caps) Location Durham
Tied to CFG0
Tied to L702
Tied to LMV0
Tied to LR79
Tied to X1F8

Prerequisites

  • Any Level 1 or level 2 module in Geography or other appropriate evidence.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Specialized Aspects of Human Geography.

Aims

  • To develop an understanding of specialized aspects of Physical Geography using materials related to two specific branches, either systematic or locational or technical, chosen from a list of topics representing some of the main physical geography research thrusts of the Department.

Content

  • Choice of two topics from the following list:
  • Antarctic Environments
  • Applied Hydrology: Runoff and Sediment
  • East Asian Environments
  • Environmental Remote Sensing
  • Experimental Geomorphology: Design & Analysis
  • Glacier Change
  • Clacier & Climate Change
  • Glacial Erosion
  • Glacial Sedimentary Environments
  • Gravel-bed River
  • Image Processing of Remotely Sensed Data
  • Landslides
  • Mountain Environments
  • Oceans Present & Past
  • Peatland geomorphology
  • River Ecology and Restoration
  • Terrestrial Records of Environmental Change
  • NOT ALL THESE SPECIALIZED ASPECTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ANY ONE YEAR

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced levels of knowledge and understanding in two specific areas of Physical Geography.
  • Be competent in accessing and assimilating literatures of an advanced nature relating to departmental research interests.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Deploy skills specific to the Specialized Aspects they are studying
Key Skills:
  • Show analytical skills in the written, summative examination.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The lectures aim to provide students with an outline of key debates in the topic area, to discuss the literature that they should explore, and to give any relevant examples and case studies.
  • The student preparation and reading time is partly devoted to any formative assignments set by staff and partly to the general and specific reading suggested by staff in lectures.
  • The end of year examination is a summative test of the knowledge, understanding and analytical skills acquired by students.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures Varies Weekly 2 hours 20
Tutorials Varies Varies 1 hour 6
Practicals and Fieldwork Varies 4
Preparation and Reading Varies 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
unseen written examination three-hour 100%

Formative Assessment:

Varies.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University