Module Description
This module is an introduction to the science of landscapes - sometimes called "geomorphology". You’ll explore the fundamental processes, in the air, in the water, and on land, responsible for shaping the Earth's surface and making it look the way it does.
You’ll learn about how we measure and characterise the Earth's different landscapes, how they have evolved in the past and how they will change in the future. You’ll gain fundamental insights into land-forming processes – their drivers, inter-relationships, complexities and rates of change – in order to better understand the natural and man-made changes that are affecting our increasingly populated planet.
In this module you’ll explore:
how landscapes are formed and how they evolve;
the agents responsible for landscape change, such as rock weathering, atmospheric processes, ocean circulation and glaciation;
the evidence for long-term climate change (last million years) and its impact on the Scottish landscape;
how humans are changing the landscape and the concept of the Anthropocene.
Drawing on the most recent research we will study the processes, products and impacts of natural and human-induced landscape change over different timescales.
Location/Method of Study
Stirling/On Campus, UK
Stirling
Module Objectives
The syllabus will cover the following:(a) the ground-rules for understanding landscape change(b) the major theories developed to explain landscape change(c) the links between geomorphology and geology, climate, hydrology and ecology(d) basic atmospheric and ocean processes(e) the conditions allowing rock weathering, soil formation, sediment release, sediment supply, transport and storage(f) the importance of connectivity in landscape change(g) the processes and landscapes relating to glaciation and sea-level change, with particular reference to Scotland(h) human landscape change and the Anthropocene
Additional Costs
none
Core Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
Recognise different landscape components and describe the different landforming processes operating on a range of spatial and temporal scales;
Explain inter-related links between landscape change and geology, climate, sea-level, hydrology and living organisms;
Analyse and interpret geospatial, geochronological and palaeo-climatic data;
Manipulate and interpret elevation data, geomorphological and stratigraphical information;
Answer unseen questions on the module content in a time-limited format.
Introductory Reading and Preparatory Work
The recommended course text is:
Holden, J. 2017. An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. (4th Edition) London: Pearson.
Delivery
Total Study Time 200 hours
Assessment
% of final
grade Learning
Outcomes
Report 30 1,2,3,4
Computer-Based Model 20 3
Class Test 10 5
Exam (Canvas - on campus) 40 5
Coursework: 60%
Examination: 40%
More information at: https://portal.stir.ac.uk/calendar/calendar.jsp?modCode=ENVU2LV&_gl=1*18ezij6*_ga*MTY1OTcwNzEyMS4xNjkyMDM2NjY3*_ga_ENJQ0W7S1M*MTY5MjAzNjY2Ny4xLjEuMTY5MjAzNjkxMi4wLjAuMA..
