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Coastal Landforms & Processes (GEOG30001)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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This subject provides a detailed synthesis of the physical processes and linkages operating within the earth’s coastal systems. The coast is one of the most intensively utilised landscapes worldwide and Australia is no exception. Population densities and development pressures are all rapidly rising providing ever increasing stress on the landscape. Intense human development is however a relatively recent phenomena. Coastal landforms operate over much longer timescales than people. Beaches and dunes have natural cycles of erosion and deposition of decadal to centennial scales while cliffs may have a history of several thousand years. It is therefore impossible to successfully manage, or simply enjoy this environment without knowledge of how it evolved and operates. During this course we will explore the operation and management of the key landforms found at the shore.

Intended learning outcomes

The objectives of this course are to provide an understanding of:

Field and practical skills relevant to understanding and managing coasts are also developed in this course.

  • the landforms of the coast;
  • the processes that drive their evolution; and
  • the management of the environmentally sensitive landscape.

Generic skills

Upon successful completion of this subject, students will learn how to:

• critically evaluate and synthesise literature and information;
• write succinctly and accurately;
• conduct library based research;
• apply knowledge (about given examples) to new cases;
• work independently to solve problems; and
• develop competence in writing consultancies and journal entries.

Last updated: 28 July 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Successful completion of one of the below, or 25 points of geography or earth sciences at second year; or equivalent as approved by the subject coordinator:

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Successful completion of one of the below, or 25 points of geography or earth sciences at second year; or equivalent as approved by the subject coordinator:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
GEOG20002 Understanding Global Landforms
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
GEOG20009 Landscapes and Diversity
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
GEOL20004 Field Mapping and Sedimentary Geology
June (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
EVSC20002 Soil and Water Resources No longer available
ENST20002
Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
GEOG30023 Global Climate Change in Context
February (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 28 July 2023

Assessment

Additional details

  • Essay (35%) of 2000 words (due by end of semester);
  • Attendance at, and submission of, all tasks completed within eight practical and fieldwork exercises completed within the scheduled practicals throughout the semester (15%) and
  • a 2-hour final examination (50%) to be scheduled during the examination period.

It is a hurdle requirement that students submit the written assignment, submit 80% of the laboratory work, attend 80% of the laboratories, and attend the field trip to be eligible to pass the subject.

Last updated: 28 July 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorSarah McSweeney
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours2x1hr lectures per week (all recorded on LectureCapture), 1x3hrs practical per week and a fieldtrip (1 day)
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018
    Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018
    Census date31 March 2018
    Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018
    Assessment period ends22 June 2018

    Semester 1 contact information

    sarah.mcsweeney@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours A 1 day field trip will occur over a weekend between weeks 4 and 7 of semester

Last updated: 28 July 2023

Further information

Last updated: 28 July 2023