Module: EM7506-15 - Applied Geomorphology

Level: 7

Credit Value: 15

Module Tutor: Richard Johnson

Module Tutor Contact Details: r.johnson@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module

This module develops the theoretical, practical and critical skills to equip you to undertake integrated and applied geomorphological projects relevant to the environmental management and consultancy sectors.

This module, firstly, explores the complexity of the physical aspects of environmental systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on hydrological and geomorphological characteristics of these systems. You will develop an understanding of the complexity, multivariate and changeable nature of environmental systems. Key concepts, such as environmental equilibrium and thresholds, process-form feedbacks and landscape sensitivity and complex responses, will be examined.

Secondly, challenging contemporary environmental management issues in geomorphic systems will be critically examined and evaluated. A toolbox approach, as adopted by professional practitioners, will be utilised providing the student with the decision-making/ project management skills to confidently and competently undertake a small-scale field project. Best practice survey methods such as stream reconnaissance and terrain evaluation will be used. This section will be supported by case studies undertaken by academic staff and societal practitioners. As with real world practice, applied investigations will adopt multi-disciplinary perspectives.

Finally, undertaking a project on a topical, real-world issue will enable students to apply their theory to practice, to learn and develop expertise in field methods and techniques, and to collaborate with other students having complementary knowledge and skills to produce an integrated, interdisciplinary report targeted to a public stakeholder with a nontechnical summary targeted at the general public.

2. Outline Syllabus & Teaching & Learning Methods

Practical-based workshops will provide the knowledge and develop practical skills in physical aspects of environmental systems, especially hydrological and geomorphological characteristics. Workshop case studies, field work and project work will enable you to 57 examine the complexity and changeable nature of such physical systems. Workshops will also enable you to draw together and evaluate a variety of data, to evaluate it and develop workable solutions to the problems presented. Projects may be drawn from areas supplied by the staff team in association with external stakeholders and will address environmental problems such as flood management, slope instability management, and restoration of systems disturbed by engineering development. We will use field sites with which we are familiar and for which a range of primary and secondary data are obtainable.

The module will be assessed by a group project of an applied geomorphological nature, adopting a team-based structure of a complementary skills base to reflect real-world project teams. Based on field work and secondary data collection, each team member will work with group-derived data to produce a consultancy report on a topical real-world example. Guidance and support will be provided by tutors to facilitate team-working.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework
• Description: Consultation report and non-technical summary (Individual report based on group work) (3500 – 5000 words)
• % Weighting: 100%