Study Programmes 2015-2016
GEOG2012-1  
Coastal geomorphology
Duration :
20h Th, 10h Pr, 2d FW
Number of credits :
Master in geography : general (120 ECTS)3
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)3
Master in geography : general (60 ECTS)3
Lecturer :
Aurelia Hubert
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The course is divided in three main parts.
The first one is general and deals with morphological characteristics of the coastlines and beaches, coastal landforms and their rapid evolution, sea-level variations. The second focuses on the coastal processes: waves, tides, currents, storm surge, wind action. Finally the last one focuses o the different types of coast: beaches, dunes and barriers, cliffs and rocky shores, estuaries and delta, mangroves and reefs. The course emphasizes anthropogenic disturbances and general effects of a rising sea level in the different environments.
Learning outcomes of the course :
The objective is to give an overall background of the processes and associated coastal morphologies combining lectures and individual reading of scientific papers or books.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Basics in geology and geomorphology
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The lectures are supplemented by field trip of a 2-days and by practical exercises focusing on the analysis of maps, atlas and aerial photographs of the different environments studied.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
The lectures last 1 hours and 30 minutes with additional 30 minutes discussion on individual lectures of scientific papers or books. Practical exercises last 2 hours in groups.
Recommended or required readings :
Ø PowerPoint Files of the lectures are available sur eCampus.
Ø Reference Book:
o Masselink, G., Gehrels, R. (eds), 2014, Costal Environments and Global Change.
Other books used:
o Geomorphology- The Mechanism and Chemistry of Landscapes. Robert S. Anderson & Suzanne P. Anderson. Cambridge University Press. Disponible à la bibliothèque de l'ULg.
o Salomon J.N., Géomorphologie sous-marine et littorale, Presses Universitaires de Bordeaux
o Perry C., Taylor K., 2007, Environmental Sedimentology, Blackwell Publishing.
o Bird E., 2000, Coastal Geomorphology, an introduction, Wiley.
o Davis jr R.A., Fitgerald D.M., Beaches and coasts, Blackwell Publishing.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Evaluation will be discussed at the beginning of the year with the students.
 The following allocation will be proposed:
 Ø 50%: assessment based on oral presentation based on scientific publications on 3 different subjects ;
Ø 35%: assessment based on practical exercises that must be completed;
Ø 15%: assessment based on an oral presentation about the sandy coast based on reference books.
 Ø if underperforming, oral exam during the second examination ; but pratical excercices need to be completed
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Travel and housing cost: 80 euros
Contacts :
Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari

tél. 04/366 93 95

email : aurelia.ferrari@ulg.ac.be