Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)
Module GEOG2521: FLUVIAL SYSTEMS
Department: Geography
GEOG2521: FLUVIAL SYSTEMS
Type | Open | Level | 2 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2019/20 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
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Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To provide an overview of fluvial systems and understand water and sediment processes operating at a variety of spatial and temporal scales
Content
- The module will cover the following topics:
- Catchment processes: catchment systems, hydrological pathways and the key processes of infiltration, surface runoff, soil and groundwater flows
- Fundamentals of river flow: basic principles of flow, channel flow at multiple scales, roughness, velocity profiles and flow structures, principles of flood flow
- River channels and sediment transport: controls on channel morphology, sediment transport processes, impacts of sediment transport at multiple scales, interactions between sediment transport, morphology and flow
- River management and engineering: basic principles, channel restoration, erosion and sedimentation, managing water and sediment fluxes
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Students are expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the main processes governing flow and sediment transfer in catchments and alluvial river channels
- Understand the dynamics of catchments and river systems over different space and timescales
- Critically analyse literature on fluvial and catchment sediment systems
- Identify the key processes that contribute to water and sediment delivery at a catchment scale
Subject-specific Skills:
- Apply knowledge of fluvial systems to evaluate examples of river management / engineering
Key Skills:
- Assess and interpret material presented in lectures and practicals
- Extract patterns from secondary data and observations
- Demonstrate appropriate competence in numerical analysis, basic statistics and graphical presentation techniques
- Perform simple calculations in both lectures and practicals
- Present logical written arguments
- Abstract information from multiple sources
- Written presentation of key theories and ideas in a structured and organised format
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Teaching: Basic facts are explained in the lecture sessions
- Concepts introduced in lectures are explored in greater depth in the practicals
- Application of concepts are demonstrated in practicals
- Independent learning is facilitated by asking students to prepare for the practical sessions
- Assessment: Exam - tests factual knowledge and understanding of concepts
- Coursework practical reports examine deeper understanding of concepts and their practical application, and capacity for independent research
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 1 | Varies | 2 hours | 2 | |
Lectures | 14 | Varies | 1.5 hours | 21 | |
Lecture | 1 | Varies | 1 hour | 1 | |
Practicals | 4 | Varies | 2 hours | 8 | |
Preparation and Reading | 168 | ||||
Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
Component: Exam | Component Weighting: 50% | ||
---|---|---|---|
Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
2 hour unseen exam | 2 hours | 100% | |
Component: Practical Report | Component Weighting: 25% | ||
Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
Practical Report | max 2 x sides A4 | 100% | |
Component: Practical Report | Component Weighting: 25% | ||
Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
Practical Report | max 2 x sides A4 | 100% |
Formative Assessment:
Two practical exercises: solutions and model answers posted on DUO and general feedback summarised in lecture.
■ 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