Module GEOG40530: HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS

Department: Geography

GEOG40530: HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL HAZARDS

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The aim of this module is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of physical processes that drive hydro-meteorological hazards from a quantitative perspective. This perspective enables statistical and simulation modelling approaches to quantify the potential impacts of land use and climate change on hydro-meterological hazards. This knowledge enables the investigation of how future hazards may be mitigated as part of a management strategy. The module draws from local and global examples to show how these hazards impact different communities and how the management of the hazard can be achieved.

Content

• The module will cover three themes
• 1. Meterological drivers and processes leading to the occurance of hydro-meterological hazards
• 2. The quantification of the magnitude and frequency of hydro-meteorological hazards, with a focus on floods and drought
• 3. Predicting hydro-meteorological hazards with quantitative methods.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of the primary drivers of hydro-meterological hazards and the interactions between elements of the hazard system, including feedbacks
• Appreciation of the different types of hydro-meterological hazards and their measurement
• Understanding of the role played by catchment hydrological processes in the generation and mitigation of hydro-meterological hazards.
• Understanding of the different approaches to hydro-meteorological hazards management including engineered solutions, nature-based solutions and non-structural approaches, such as early warning systems.
• Understanding the basics of the climate and hydrological science required as inputs to hazard analysis, and the associated tools used in those sciences.
• Understanding of how climate change predictions are made, how to handle these datasets to make predictions of changes to hydro-meteorological hazards in the future within an uncertainty framework.

• Ability to undertake statistical analysis of dataset of hydro-meteorological hazards, such as for return period analysis using the statistical distribution (e.g. Gumbel)
• Competence to use simulation modelling approaches for catchment hydrology and flood inundation, including awareness of data issues, calibration and validation
• Capability to analyse large scale meteorological drivers associated with drought and floods.

• Critical evaluation and synthesis of published data and interpretations
• Technical skills in analysing data (e.g. time-series, extremes, trends)
• Demonstrate the ability to complete written work within word limits, including report writing skills
• Ability to undertake quantitative analysis and assessment of hydro-meteorological hazards

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

• There are three modes of teaching:
• 1. Lectures will provide core understanding, including that associated with the subject knowledge, and the underpinning science to enable acquisition of necessary subject skills;
• 2. Practical exercises (in the form of workshops), as well as a formative report, will be used to develop the specific subject skills, based around case examples linked to research and to develop student understanding of lecture-based material;
• 3. A field day will demonstrate how flood hazard management approaches are applied.
• Independent study will be required to deepen the student's subject knowledge through reading, and to develop practical skills, with practical classes assisting with these.
• We will assess subject skills through short practical exercises linked to each practical.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative feedback will be provided through verbal discussions in class, and through written feedback. A formative practical report will be set to guide the two summative reports.

■ 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