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Geomorphology: Catchment to Coast (GEOG30001)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The subject is designed to develop students’ understanding of the physical processes of coasts and rivers, and how these processes interact, over time, to shape catchments and landscapes. A focus is on processes of erosion and deposition that occur as we follow the movement of water and sediment from hillsides, down rivers, through estuaries, to meet wave and tidal processes at the coast. A theme of the subject is the impact of humans on these geomorphic systems, and how these impacts can be predicted and managed. The subject will address major questions and challenges that are facing the management and research communities alike. These challenges include the impact of past and present management activities on both the fluvial and coastal processes. Furthermore, the impact of a changing climate on the rates and types of processes occurring in these dynamic environments will be addressed both from a holistic catchment perspective and at the individual landform scale. Management of coasts and rivers is a growing area of employment.
Using practicals and field-trips, students will develop their empirical and analytical skills including the use of ArcGIS (spatial mapping and geomorphic analysis), stratigraphic logging and interpretation, and topographic surveying. This subject includes a 3-day field trip to the Otways Ranges in western Victoria, occurring over a weekend during semester, where students will collect and interpret field data from coasts and rivers.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject will be able to:
- Identify coastal and fluvial landforms and the processes that drive their evolution and present-day morphology
- Recognise fundamental similarities and differences in sediment transport principles
- Identify how humans can modify the physical processes of these features
- Recognise the importance of using geomorphic principles to ensure effective management of coasts and rivers
- Apply skills in GIS, data analysis, and field investigations.
Generic skills
- 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
- Competence in writing consulting reports and journal articles
Last updated: 15 February 2024
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:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
GEOL20004 | Field Mapping and Sedimentary Geology | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
GEOG30023 | Global Climate Change in Context | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOG20002 | Landscapes and Environmental Change | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOG30022 | Riverine Landscapes: Hydrology & Ecology | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
GEOG20002 is strongly recommended. GEOG30022 can be taken concurrently.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Laboratory work and worksheets Hurdle requirement: It is a hurdle requirement that students submit 80% of the laboratory work, attend 80% of the laboratories and attend the field trip to be eligible to pass the subject. | Throughout the semester | 20% |
Research assignment
| End of semester | 40% |
Final exam
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Sarah McSweeney Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x 1-hour (or 1 x 2-hour) lectures per week, 1 x 3-hour practical per week, and a 3-day fieldtrip (occurring over a weekend (Fri-Sun) between weeks 6 - 9 of semester) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Davidson-Arnott, R. 2010. Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology. Cambridge.
Knighton, D, and Wharton, G. 2014. Fluvial Forms and Processes: A New Perspective. Routledge.
- Subject notes
Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 degree and new degrees), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) may receive science credit on the completion of this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Major Marine Biology Major Environmental Science Informal specialisation Physical Geography Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Physical Geography Major Geography Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Major Geography Major Environmental Science Major Integrated Geography Major Physical Geography Major Environmental Geography Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 15 February 2024