GEOGG100 Coastal Change

OPTION GEOG100 - COASTAL CHANGE
(15 credits)

Term 2 (2012)

Staff:
Helene Burningham, Jon French

Aims:
The Coastal Change option aims to explore the dynamics of coastal systems through consideration of scales and types of change, and a critical review of alternative approaches to the analysis and prediction of change, and their application to the broader use, management and conservation of shoreline environments.

Content:
The course starts out by examining the scales of coastal behaviour in response to external environmental forcing (climate, sea-level etc) and intrinsic system dynamics. The UCL-developed Coastal System Mapping methodology is introduced as a tool for conceptualising and formalising expert knowledge of large-scale coast and estuary behaviour. Conceptual frameworks and analytical tools appropriate to the understanding and prediction of macro-, meso- and micro-scale coastal change are then explored through linked lecture and practical sessions.
 
The main sessions cover:
·    Scales of coastal behaviour
·    Coastal system mapping
·    Coastal sediments and grain size trend analysis
·    Macroscale and meso-scale change
·    Historical Trend Analysis
·    Coastal sediments and grainsize trend analysis
·    Coastal stratigraphic analysis
·    Instrument-based monitoring and the analysis of coastal time-series datasets

Assessment:
Written report based upon a write up of one of three practical exercises (max 2000 words; worth 8% of total assessment).

Format:
The course is based upon lectures, and on supervised and self-paced practical work.

Learning outcomes:
At the end of the course students should:

·    have an improved knowledge of scales of variability and change in coastal systems over the short, medium and long term
·    be aware of the approaches and methods available for the analysis of coastal change at various scales, and the types and sources of appropriate data
·    understand the role that sedimentology and ecology plays in the examination of coastal evolution and dynamics
·    have a conceptual and technical grasp of key analytical tools (Sediment Trend Analysis; Historical Trend Analysis; time-series analysis)
·    have a clearer understanding of the challenges and decisions associated with the management of dynamic coastal systems