Undergraduate Course: Geomorphology (GEGR08002)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Geography |
Other subject area | Environmental Courses |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course on the principles of geomorphology looks at the relationship between processes and landforms at a variety of scales in space and time. It examines endogenic processes originating within the earth, exogenic processes occurring at the earth atmosphere ocean interface and the way they interact to create landforms. The course covers geomorphological theories, weathering, slope processes, soil erosion, fluvial and glacial processes and landforms, applied geomorphology, mountain building, rates of landscape change, supercontinent breakup, ocean islands and megafloods. Martian geomorphology will also be discussed. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Class Delivery Information |
Attendance at four compulsory practicals is required (either Tue 9.00-10.50, Wed 10.00-12.00 or Thur 11.10-13.00) and five tutorials (Monday to Friday mornings - times vary) are also held |
| Course Start Date |
12/01/2015 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 8,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
157 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
65 %,
Coursework
35 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, students should possess the following skills and knowledge:
1. A broad knowledge of the scope and main areas of Geomorphology
2. Ability to classify and describe landforms in a variety of environmental settings
3. Knowledge of systems theory as applied to geomorphology, specifically with regard to the concepts of feedback, thresholds, and equilibrium
4. Broad understanding of the theories of Uniformitarianism and Catastrophism, and appreciation and knowledge of the history of geomorphological research
5. Awareness of the significance of spatial and temporal scales in geomorphology
6. Ability to analyze geomorphological systems in terms of resisting and driving forces
7. Knowledge of surface processes important in the creation of landforms
8. Ability to quantitatively use and evaluate geomorphological data with numerical, statistical and cartographical methods
9. Ability to synthesize and communicate mainstream scientific findings by writing essays and by discussion in a small group tutorial format
10. Ability to analyze relationships between physical and human aspects of environments and landscapes
11. Ability to carry out routine lines of enquiry into geomorphological issues |
Assessment Information
Class assessment: 4 tutorial assignments of 600 words each and 4 practical assignments.
Degree assessment: 2000 word essay = 35%, One two-hour exam (Multiple choice + problems and essay) = 65%. Resubmitted essay or resit examination where necessary.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Weeks 1 ¿ 2: Introduction and developments of theories of Geomorphology
Weeks 2 ¿ 3: Weathering and mass wasting
Weeks 4 ¿ 6: Soil erosion and fluvial systems
Weeks 6 ¿ 7: Glacial processes and geomorphology
Weeks 8 ¿ 9: Continental scale geomorphology, mountain building and rates of landscape change
Weeks 10 ¿ 11: Ocean islands, megafloods and Martian geomorphology.
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
A variety of reading is recommended throughout the course including textbooks and academic papers. The following two textbooks are suggested as a starting point:
Summerfield, M.A. (1991) Global Geomorphology. Longman, London.
Anderson, R.S. and Anderson, S.P. (2010) Geomorphology ¿ The Mechanics and Chemistry of Landscapes. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | GEGR08002 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Anthony Newton
Tel: (0131 6)50 2546
Email: Anthony.Newton@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Beth Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: beth.muir@ed.ac.uk |
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