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Geomorphology: Catchment to Coast (GEOG30001)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
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
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
GEOG20002 | Landscapes and Environmental Change | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOG30023 | Global Climate Change in Context | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOL20004 | Field Mapping and Sedimentary Geology |
June (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (Off Campus)
|
12.5 |
OR
Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
GEOG30022 | Riverine Landscapes: Hydrology & Ecology | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
OR
25 credit points of Level 2 Geography or Earth Sciences subjects (or equivalent as approved by the subject coordinator)
GEOG20002 is strongly recommended.
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
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 virtual 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 Dual-Delivery (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 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 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 Major Geography Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Informal specialisation Physical Geography Major Marine Biology Informal specialisation Physical Geography Major Environmental Science Major Geography Major Environmental Science Informal specialisation Elective subjects for B-BMED Major Environmental Geography Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Integrated Geography Major Physical Geography Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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