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Year:

GEPL311 Catchment to Coast

Updated: 08 December 2011
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites 24cp or candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions GEPL211
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Michael Reid (mreid24@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit follows the movement of water from the atmosphere to the land and down to the ocean. It provides an introduction to hydrology and fluvial and coastal geomorphology. Topics include rainfall patterns and climatic change, catchment drainage, soil erosion, sediment transport, the natural variability and history of catchment and coastal systems and how human activities impact these systems in the context of their history and variability.

Prescribed Material
Mandatory
Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography plus student access card
ISBN: 9314994246254
Christopherson, R.W., Prentice Hall 2012
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Recommended Material
Optional
Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Soils: Their Properties and Management
ISBN: 9780195517620
Charman, P.E.V. and Murphy, B.W., OUP 3rd ed. 2006
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Coastal Geomorphology: An Introduction
ISBN: 9780470517307
Bird, E., John Wiley 2nd ed. 2008
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Land Degradation Processes in Australia
ISBN: 9780582870086
McTainsh, G.H. and Boughton, W.C., Longman 1993
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 10% 500
Assessment Notes
Short answer test - 2 mini-essays
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 GA: 1, 2 and 3
Assignment 2 40% 2500
Assessment Notes
Report
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2 and 4 GA: 1, 2, 4 and 6
Assignment 3 10% 500
Assessment Notes
Short answer test - 2 mini-essays
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2 GA: 1 and 2
Assignment 4 30% 1500
Assessment Notes
Essay based on selected readings
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1-4 and 6
Assignment 5 10% 500
Assessment Notes
Short answer test - 2 mini-essays
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 3 GA: 1, 2 and 3

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. understand the processes and controls associated with the water cycle and particularly the movement of water on and through the surface and subsurface of the Earth;
  2. understand how these processes interact with and modify catchment landscapes including slopes, soils and watercourses;
  3. understand coastal processes and landforms and management issues associated with them; and
  4. understand the natural variability and history of catchments and coastal systems and how human activities impact these systems in the context of this history and variability.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students will deepen their knowledge of the relevant issues in the study of coasts and catchments, a core area of Geography and Planning. Students will be taught via lectures and online discussions, practical exercises and assignments. Assessment of learning will be carried out across a range of assessment tasks.
True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students learn to communicate effectively using graphical as well as written forms of communication. This is assessed in all assessment tasks.
True True True
3 Global Perspectives
The study of coasts and catchments is a global issue. Students are encouraged to become aware of the global context and implications of the topic areas. This is an assessed component of the unit.
True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are taught and assessed on their ability to locate, evaluate and apply information from a variety of sources in an appropriate manner.
True True True
6 Problem Solving
Students' problem-solving skills are developed and assessed in their assessment tasks.
True True True
   

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