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2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5670M Issues and Skills for River Basin Dynamics and Management

30 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Jonathan Carrivick
Email: j.l.carrivick@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

GEOG5400M Issues and Skills; GEOG5940M River Ecosystems

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces a range of issues and skills pertinent to river basin dynamics and management. We have a series of lectures to include international and regional policy and legislation issues; such as the water framework directive, river basin flood management plans and carbon management for example. We introduce CIWEM and what graduate membership can do for you. We consider work-based practice (water and environment industry) to understand current river basin management issues. We introduce environmental data analysis to include statistics and the use of statistical software; most likely the free open-source software ‘R’. We have several environmental data analysis projects that encompass hydraulics and water quality data collection in the field, data analysis in the laboratory and the use of cutting edge numerical models

Objectives

This module has objectives to:
(i) Deliver a detailed scientific understanding of selected issues of international importance associated with river basin dynamics and management.
(ii) Deliver impressions and thoughts from a range of water industry practitioners on selected issues associated with river basin dynamics and management.
(iii) Integrate data collection skills during fieldwork with laboratory based skills and numerical analysis.
(iv) Be aware of issues and skills associated with a range of flood forecasting models and water quality indicators and to use learn to use the basic functions of these models; as by professionals in the water industry.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
i) Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of selected topics of concern in the fields of river basin dynamics and management
ii) Demonstrate an understanding of key conceptual and policy issues of relevance to international policy and UK regulatory agencies in the light of theories and case studies covered
iii) Utilise their critical, communication and team working skills in assessing and presenting appropriate information and materials
iv) Be familiar with a range of issues and skills in environmental data analysis


Syllabus

Typically, the syllabus will include:
Welcome, programme and module overview.
Fundamentals of river basin hydrology and river hydraulics
River basin management issues overview and carbon management overview.
River basin management issues legislation.
Two days of field work skills for environmental data collection.
Skills in environmental data analysis.
River basin dynamics and channel stability issues.
Skills in river flood modelling using statistics; the flood estimation handbook (FEH), an industry-standard 1D hydraulic model; ISIS, and a cutting-edge 2D model; Delft3d.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lectures102.0020.00
Fieldwork28.0016.00
Practical18.008.00
Practical74.0028.00
Private study hours228.00
Total Contact hours72.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

Private study spread over the semester involves:
1. Reading research papers/reports in preparation for lectures, seminars.
2. Reading to support practicals
3. Preparation for and completion of assignments

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Informal question/answer sessions during lectures
Practical sessions under supervision, before individual write up
Essay assessment

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,500 Words30.00
PresentationGroup field research portfolio and presentation30.00
PracticalStatistics (1 assignment 3000 words total)40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 11/05/2017

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