Course Catalogue

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The course provides an integrated view of the surface processes that shape our planet and of the complex feedback between these processes and tectonics, at a series of temporal and spatial scales.

Normally a 3 sessions/week for 5 weeks.

Normally completion of all credit-bearing courses from Earth Science and/or Geography Level 2 at an average Grade C3 or better, achieving at least a Grade of D3 in each individual course.

EARTH4076 - Geomorphology

EARTH4090 - Landscape Dynamics

Essay-based, in-person exam (50%),

Poster presentation of GIS-based exercise (25%); 

Report based on numerical modelling (25%).

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims to provide an in-depth knowledge of the key concepts of geomorphology, focusing on the mechanisms that link tectonics and climate to surface processes, their interaction, and complex feedback loops. During the course, the students will learn how to quantify these processes, using an array of methods that are sensitive to different spatial and temporal scales.

Students will be introduced to the use of digital and analytical data to quantitatively reconstruct landscape evolution.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe and critically assess key hypotheses in geomorphology and landscape evolution

■ Explain the key processes that drive landscape evolution and how they are recorded in the landscape morphometry

■ Use and evaluate numerical, geochemical and GIS methods to quantify landscape evolution

■ Evaluate methods for studying surface and tectonic processes at an appropriate temporal and spatial scale

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.