Duration
40h Th, 20h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in geography : climatology (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits | |||
| Master in geography, global change (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course is divided in two parts :
-Part I focuses on landslides with Prof. A. Hubert-Ferrari (20h Th, 10h Pr)
-Part II focuses on soil erosion with Prof. M. Vanmaercke (20h Th, 10h Pr)
Part I: The theoritical lectures (20h) focuses in the characterisation on the different onland mass movements, their geometry, distribution, mapping, 2) the particularity of submarine mass movements, 3) their dynamics and the factor of safety, 4) factors controling sliding, 5) monitoring. These parts allow to tackle landslide risk analyses and prediction as well as the possible methods of prevention. The practical exercices (10h) of Part I focus on real cases examples of landslide and how to analyze them using a GIS software.
Part II focusses on the prediction and prevention of hillslope erosion processes, in particular, sheet & rill and gully erosion. In the theoretical part, we will discuss how to predict and quantify soil erosion processes on hillslopes in relation to their controlling factors like topography, soil characteristics, land use and rainfall conditions (e.g. the RUSLE-equation and its derivatives, slope-area thresholds and runoff curve number approaches). Furthermore, we will elaborate on soil and water conservation techniques to prevent soil erosion (principles, pitfalls, design and implementation, how to evaluate their effectiveness). The course will be illustrated with various concrete examples, especially from the Global South. During the practical part, the students will apply the obtained knowledge and insight into a specific case study (e.g. quantifying the erosion of a specific area, identifying the most suitable erosion mitigation techniques, criticial review of certain techniques, ...).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Part I : The students will master all processes related to landslides, and would know how the different ways to evaluate landslide hazard, and propose possible solutions.
Part II: At the end of this course, the students will:
- have an in-depth understanding of the processes of soil erosion due to water;
- understand the principles of the most commonly used models for erosion prediction and be able to critically reflect on them (e.g. uncertainties, pitfalls);
- be able to make first-order assessments of erosion risks for specific case studies
- understand the key principles of soil and water conservation and landslide prevention/mitigation techniques;
- be able to critically reflect on the effectiveness and efficiency of proposed/implemented measures.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Part I: Basics in geology, geomorphology and mechanics
Part II: Basic knowledge of geomorphology, hydrology and mechanics
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Part I: The course would be divided in:
- Courses (~20h) based on ex-cathedra théoretical courses (~10h), and an applied case study near Liege combining field observations and mapping (~4h), bibliography (~4h) and LIDAR terrain models (~3h). During this second part, students would have to use prior knowledge acquired in the theoretical courses.
-Practical exercises integrating two applied cases using a GIS software.
Part II: the course will be divided in theoretical courses (~20h) and an individual exercise (~10h). For the exercise, the students will have regular opportunity to ask feedback and discuss their progress. The exact division between the numbers of hours allocated to the theoretical part and the practical part, may vary in function of the number of students following the course, the content of the practical exercise, the interest of the students and/or the speed with which the theoretical part of the course can be apprehended.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Part I: Theoretical courses (10h) and applied course on a case study in interaction with the professor using prior knowledge (10h comprising the study of the bibliography on the case study with active presentation of the students, study of the available terrain models before the half-day field work) and practical exercises on GIS software (10 h)
Part II: Theoretical courses (~20h) and an individual case study/task in interaction with the professor (~10h). The individual task will built on the theoretical concepts taught and involve a range of activities (literature review, geomorphic mapping, statistical analyses, simple geomorphic/hydrological modelling)
Recommended or required readings
Assessment methods and criteria
Part I- Evaluation:
Ø 60%: based on the practical part of the course for which the students would do an oral presentation of the context using one of the papers published, and make a report about the mapping of the landslide based on the Terrain model and field observations.
Ø 40% based on the practical exercises using GIS. It is mandatory to give a quoted report on the practical exercises.
Part 2- Evaluation:
50% of the points will be based on the students knowledge and comprehension of the theoretical part. This will be evaluated based on an oral exam with written preparation. The remaining 50% of the points will be based on an evaluation of the exercises (presence and active participation in the exercises, written final report, presentation of the case study).
Depending on practical circumstances, the oral exam may be replaced by a written exam during the third exam session (August/September). In this case, students will be notified beforehand about this.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The course will take place only if 3 students are registered
In the case that less than three students are registered, an alternative will be proposed and discussed with the students.
Contacts
Part I: aurelia.ferrari@uliege.be
Part II: matthias.vanmaercke@uliege.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
Assessment subjects
Assessment methods
Contacts
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
A takehome exercise will need to be submitted. The requirements of this task have been discussed at length via email with the students involved.
Assessment methods
Takehome exercise