From the Mountains to the Sea: An Introduction to Geomorphology

Content of Course

The course discusses the following main themes:

1. The Science of geomorphology
2. Landscape histories
3. Highlands
4. Lowlands
5. From the shore to open sea
6. Inhabited landscapes

Teaching method(s)

The course will be taught over six two hour sessions. Teaching will be lecture based, with time allocated for class discussion and some practical activities. Class discussion will be actively encouraged. Class exercises will include case studies, where students will work together to interpret the history of landforms/landscapes. Learning outcomes will be demonstrated through students’ participation in class discussion and landscape interpretation exercise(s).

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the principal processes that shape the landscape.

• Construct narratives of landscape evolution;

• Illustrate the interconnection between different parts of the Earth System (lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere);

• Recognise the role of human societies in mediating geomorphic processes;

• Recognise the rates and timing of landscape change.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

• Harvey, A., 2012.  Introducing Geomorphology – A guide to landforms and processes, Dunedin: Edinburgh.

Recommended:

• Huggett, R.J., 2011. Fundamentals of Geomorphology. 3^rd ed. Routledge: Oxford.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.