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This course explores the processes that form and change coastal environments in New Zealand, the Pacific and worldwide. Topics examined include a selection of: sea level change today and into the future, waves and currents, the role of sediments in how beaches work to protect land and interact with oceans, plus sessions focussed on the wonders and practical realities of wetlands, tropical reefs, and human interactions with coastal environments. You will gain an understanding of models of the coastal zone, as well as an experience of field methods and laboratory techniques used in coastal investigations. The course was developed based on direct industry feedback and involvement. There is also an optional one-day field-trip, where there is an opportunity to put your learnings into practice and measure waves, currents and beach profiles, and to collect sediment and ecological data for analysis in labs, all using up-to-date professional techniques.
GEOG311 builds on fundamental knowledge gained from first and second year geography papers and explores the dynamic physical processes that help shape the variety of features observable along coastlines around the world. In this course, lecture topics covered will provide a comprehensive examination into the functioning and importance of coastal systems. They will include the movement and energy of waves and currents, the role of sediment transport pathways and sediment budgets, the links with other intrinsic earth systems (particularly the fluvial and climate system), anthropogenic interactions and coastline modifications, and the future of coastlines with intensified climate change. The course will draw on a wide literature base of current and peer-reviewed research that students will engage with critically, exemplar scenario data through the lab program, and an introduction to field work in coastal settings. Students who engage fully with the course will gain skills in independent critical thinking, an ability to work through complex problems, sustained theoretical and practical writing, practice in modelling and the use of models in the coastal sphere, and familiarity with equipment used in coastal settings.
Upon successful completion of GEOG311, you should gain:understanding of the coast as a complex, biophysical system,awareness of human impacts on various coastal environments and vice versa,experience in analysing, interpreting and solving complex environment problems, andexperience in conducting research and written presentation to international scientific standards.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
30 points of 200-level Geography, including GEOG201, orin special cases with approval of the Head of Department.
Students must attend one activity from each section.
• one 2-hour lecture per term week, • two 2-hour laboratories in Term 1, • a 1 day optional fieldtrip on the third Friday of Term 1.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment Head of Department
Course Coordinator: Sophie Horton, School of Earth & Environment, sophie.horton@canterbury.ac.nz
Komar, Paul D; Beach processes and sedimentation ; 2nd ed; Prentice Hall, 1998 (A fantastic text, well suited to the more technically (mathematical, engineering, COSC) minded).
Masselink, Gerhard. , Hughes, Michael G., Knight, Jasper; Introduction to coastal processes & geomorphology ; 2nd ed; Hodder Education, 2011 (A good first basic coastal text).
Woodroffe, C. D; Coasts : form, process, and evolution ; Cambridge University Press, 2003 (Like an encyclopaedia of all things coastal, with great coastal environment coverage (including GEOL and BIOL)).
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2002) Coastal Engineering Manual (CEM). Engineer Manual 1110-2-1100, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington D.C. (6 volumes).
Prerequisites: 30 points of 200-level Geography, including GEOG201, orin special cases with approval of the Head of Department.
Domestic fee $942.00
International fee $4,988.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .