Geomorphology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Usually completion of 25 points of geography, environmental studies or earth sciences at first year or an equivalent approved by the coordinator.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject outlines the development of geomorphology as a discipline, the different approaches used to study landforms and theory of landscape processes and evolution. Topics covered include the denudation system; weathering; hill slopes; fluvial processes and landforms; glacial processes and landforms; karst landscapes and processes; deserts and aeolian processes; the coastal system and processes; and landform change during the Quaternary. Emphasis is placed on understanding the geomorphological processes that shape these landscapes. Through lectures, practicals and field exercises students should develop skills in the use of a range of analytical techniques for investigating landform processes and change. Students should also develop an appreciation of the ways landforms and process can be incorporated into environmental management and land use planning.

Weekly practical classes 15%, an individual project of 1500 words 25% (due in the first half of the semester), an individual field report of 1500 words 25% (due in the second half of the semester) and a 2-hour examination 35% (in the examination period). Students must submit both written assignments within deadlines, submit 80% of the laboratory work within deadlines and attend the field trip to be eligible to pass the subject.

• Fundamentals of Geomorphology (R J Huggett), Routledge 2003
• The Dictionary of Physical Geography (D S G Thomas & A Goudie), (3rd ed) Blackwell 2000

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the literature relating to landforms and earth surface processes;

• be able to write succinctly and accurately;

• be able to conduct library based research;

• be able to apply knowledge (about given examples) to new cases.

Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) may receive science credit on the completion of this subject.

BSc students may receive second year level credit for this subject.