Module GEOG3431: SPECIALIZED ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Department: Geography

GEOG3431: SPECIALIZED ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Prerequisites

• Any Level 1 or level 2 GEOG module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• SPECIALIZED ASPECTS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY GEOG3221

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 areas 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
• Erosion and Orogenesis
• Experimental Geomorphology: Design & Analysis
• Glacier Change
• Glacier & Climate Change
• Glacial Erosion
• Glacial Sedimentary Environments
• Gravel-Bed Rivers
• Image Processing of Remotely Sensed Data
• Landslides
• Martian Landscapes
• Mountain Environments
• Oceans Present & Past
• Peatland Geomorphology and Management
• Prediction of Environmental Processes
• Research Frontiers in Hydrology
• River Ecology, Change & Restoration
• Terrestrial Records of Environmental Change
• NOT ALL THESE SPECIALIZED ASPECTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ANY ONE YEAR
• Full details of each of the above Specialized Aspects running in 2011-12 (including assessment) can be found on duo / “Geography Module Selection” or “Geography Options for Non Single Honours Students”. This information is also duplicated in the Geography Undergraduate Guide (Level 3), also available through duo

Learning Outcomes

• 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

• Develop advanced level skills specific to the Specialized Aspects they are studying

• Show analytical skills in the summative examination or coursework (as appropriate)

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
• If appropriate to the specific topic, practical work will allow students to develop advanced skills encountered in modern physical geography research and practice
• 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
• If appropriate to the specific topic, summative assessments will be set by staff in order to assess skill development
• The assessment format of each specific topic will be aligned with the learning outcomes of each topic. In most cases, a written examination will test the knowledge, understanding and analytical skills acquired by the student. Where appropriate, summative coursework will be used to assess quantitative skills acquired by students

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Varies according to which specialized aspects are taken; details are available on duo via “Geography Module Selection” or “Geography Options for Non Single Honours Students”.

■ 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