GG4258 Water in the Environment

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

The School will operate a ballot system.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr H C Chiu

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Hon Chim Chiu

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Water plays an important role in almost all areas of geography. Physical and environmental processes, from geology to human societies, change and are changed by water through a wide variety of hydrological processes. This module will discuss the geography of water in three parts. First, this module examines water processes such as the water cycle, hydrology, catchment processes, and water-land interactions. These will form the basis of further discussion in the role of water in river and coastal environments. The final part concerns how water as a resource are managed and mismanaged, leading to natural and anthropogenic hazards and risks. This module will use lectures and student-led seminars to explore the current knowledge in water science, supplemented by a series of field and laboratory exercises to equip students with hands-on technical and analytical skills to tackle challenges in hydrology.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS GG2014 AND PASS SD2100 ) OR ( PASS GG2011 AND PASS GG2012 )

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1hr Lecture (x10 weeks), 2hr Seminar (x4 weeks), 2hr Laboratory (x4 weeks), 5hr -1/2 day field trip (x2)

Scheduled learning hours

36

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

252

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • describe and explain the role of water in shaping the Earth system.
  • apply appropriate field and laboratory methods to assess, evaluate and monitor hydrological processes in the environment.
  • discuss the role of water in shaping the river and coastal environments.
  • assess, evaluate and communicate water risks as a natural hazard.