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Masters Programmes in Risk

Sea-Level Change Hazards (30 credits)

This is an elective 30 credit module for students taking the MSc in Risk and Environmental Hazards.

The aims of the module are to

  • Provide advanced knowledge about the discipline of sea-level science, including methods of reconstruction, large scale processes which cause sea-level change and the latest research into forecasting future sea-level changes

After taking this module students should be able to

  • Understand the mechanisms causing sea-level change; past, present and future
  • Critically evaluate proxy and direct methods of measuring sea-level change
  • Critically appraise predictions of future sea-level change
  • Understand how coastlines respond to sea-level change
  • Understand different types of abrupt sea-level changes, mechanisms which cause them and how we may anticipate future events

Teaching and assessment

The first module aim is concerned with understanding sea-level changes in the geological past. We will use a science-based approach to examine global, regional and local changes in sea level from the last glacial maximum to the present. This will follow a hands-on approach with methods and techniques of sea-level reconstruction learnt through a 3-5 day residential field class and associated workshop, followed by four practical classes involving laboratory work (2) and analysing quantitative datasets (2). In addition there will be 5 lectures and a summative poster in this section.

The second module aim focuses on the instrumental era (~ last 100 years) in recording sea- level changes and future predictions of sea-level change. Again this take a hands on approach with 4 lectures followed by 2 practicals on handling and analysing instrumental data, field classes examining evidence for current and future coastal change and a project resulting in an individual summative poster examining the potential impacts of future sea-level change on local coastlines. The project will have an associated workshop (surgery) and there will be a module debrief at the end.

Please note that a charge will be made for residential fieldwork.

For further details on module content, contact hours and assessment please refer to the postgraduate modules handbook.