Module GEOG2521: FLUVIAL SYSTEMS

Department: Geography

GEOG2521: FLUVIAL SYSTEMS

Prerequisites

• Any Level 1 module in Physical Geography

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide an overview of fluvial systems and understand water and sediment processes operating at a variety of spatial and temporal scales

Content

• 1 – Catchment processes:
• Catchment systems, pathways and key processes
• Infiltration and surface runoff
• Soil and groundwater flows
• Models of catchment systems
• 2 – Fundamentals of river flow:
• Basic principles of flow
• Channel flow at multiple scales
• Roughness, velocity profiles and flow structures
• Principles of flood flow
• 3 – River channels and sediment transport:
• Controls on channel morphology
• Sediment transport processes
• Impacts of sediment transport at multiple scales
• Interactions between sediment transport, morphology and flow
• 4 - River management and engineering:
• Basic principles
• Channel restoration
• Erosion and sedimentation
• Managing water and sediment fluxes

Learning Outcomes

• Students are expected to be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of the main processes governing flow and sediment transfer in catchments and alluvial river channels
• Understand the dynamics of catchments and river systems over different timescales
• Critically analyse literature on fluvial and catchment sediment systems
• Identify the key processes that contribute to water and sediment delivery at a catchment scale

• Apply knowledge of fluvial systems to evaluate examples of river management / engineering

• Assess and interpret material presented in lectures and practicals
• Extract patterns from data and observations
• Understand appropriate numerical analysis and presentation techniques
• Perform simple calculations in both lectures and practicals
• Present logical written arguments
• Abstract information from multiple sources
• Written presentation of key theories and ideas

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching: Basic facts are explained in the lecture sessions
• Concepts introduced in lectures are explored in greater depth in the practicals
• Application of concepts are demonstrated in practicals
• Independent learning is facilitated by asking students to prepare for the practical sessions
• Assessment: Exam - tests factual knowledge and understanding of concepts
• Coursework practical reports examine deeper understanding of concepts and their practical application, and capacity for independent research

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

The module will have a series of four practical sessions on data handling and analysis, each of which will be based around the material in the associated lecture block. The first practical will be formative, and the subsequent three summative. Each practical will have a similar structure, and hence feedback from the initial practical will feedforward to the subsequent practicals.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University