Module GEOG2521: CATCHMENT AND FLUVIAL SYSTEMS

Department: Geography

GEOG2521: CATCHMENT AND FLUVIAL SYSTEMS

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide an overview of catchment and fluvial systems and to understand water and sediment processes operating at a variety of spatial and temporal scales

Content

• The module will cover the following topics:
• Catchment hydrological processes: water flow pathways, the key processes of infiltration, surface runoff, soil and groundwater flows and the spatial drivers of water flow
• 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
• Catchment and river management: basic principles, channel restoration, erosion and sedimentation, managing water (e.g. flood hazards) and sediment fluxes (e.g. diffuse pollution)

Learning Outcomes

• 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 systems
• Identify the key processes that contribute to water and sediment delivery at a catchment scale

• Apply knowledge of catchment and fluvial systems to evaluate examples of management / engineering

• Assess and interpret material presented in lectures and practical sessions
• 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 practical sessions
• 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 practical sessions
• Application of concepts are demonstrated in practical sessions
• 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

Summative Assessment

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