GEOGRAPHY

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

This course may not be included in a graduating curriculum with GG 1005, GG 1006 or GC 1001.

Overview

Related study blocks will address:

• How the planet works. The interdependence of natural and human systems: interaction of atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, world cultures, economic and political systems.


• Global environmental change. Atmosphere and oceans. The relationships between land cover and land use, population, and development. Political, economic and ethical consequences.
  
• Resources, development and environmental degradation. Natural resources as the foundation of prosperity and human well-being. Agricultural and industrial development, social and environmental justice.


• Energy. The science, technology, politics and economics of fossil fuels and alternative energy sources.


• Globalisation, society and lifestyles. What are the impacts of global economic and technological change? What is sustainable development and is it achievable?

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week plus six one-hour workgroups.

Assessment

1st Attempt:

Formative Assessment

The course includes a workgroup exercise on assessment of essays.  Students must sit a mock exam in-class.  However, with just 12 weeks, 6 workgroups and a degree exam exemption system that requires summative assessment of coursework, it is difficult to arrange stand-alone formative assessment.  It makes more sense to consider feedback/feedforward in terms of onwards progression: e.g., students write just  one coursework essay which is summatively assessed, but comments provided on this should help students to improve their performance next time: e.g., in the follow-up second half-session course.

Feedback

Students receive individual, written feedback on their coursework using standard  comments sheets. For the practical, we also provide whole-class feedback via WebCT.  This past year, we also put model answers/mark schemes for all coursework and the mock exams on WebCT to give students the chance to self-assess their own performance.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Alastair Gemmell

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

This course may not be included in a graduating curriculum with GG 1506, GG 1507 or GC 1501.

Overview

Working with the theme of ‘Scotland in Transition’ this course examines how global processes produce and reflect local-scale changes. Related study blocks will address:

• Environmental change and landscape response. Topography, climate, reconstruction of past relationships between humans, plants and animals.


• Landscape and society. Environment – opportunity or risk? Resources and hazards as local manifestations of global drivers. People, land, water, soils – who controls what?


• Globalisation – the economics and politics of urban industrial change. Agents and scales of change: nations and states; local government; multinational corporations and local entrepreneurialism. Regional development and the post-industrial economy.


• New social and cultural spaces. Mobility and difference; poverty and exclusion; imaginative geographies: unequal power relationships; memories, places and nations.

Structure

2 1-hour lectures per week + 6 1-hour workgroups.

Assessment

1st Attempt:

• For students who complete the coursework to a satisfactory standard: coursework, 100%.  These students will obtain exemption from the degree exam, and their coursework mark will provide the overall course CAS mark.


• For students who do not obtain exemption from the degree exam: coursework, 50% plus exam, 50%.

Formative Assessment

The course includes a workgroup exercise on assessment of essays.  Students must sit a mock exam in-class.  However, with just 12 weeks, 6 workgroups and a degree exam exemption system that requires summative assessment of coursework, it is difficult to arrange stand-alone formative assessment.  It makes more sense to consider feedback/feedforward in terms of onwards progression: e.g., students write just  one coursework essay which is summatively assessed, but comments provided on this should help students to improve their performance next time: e.g., in the follow-up Level 2 courses.

Feedback

Students receive individual, written feedback on their coursework using standard  comments sheets.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D.W.F. Mair

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above who have passed GG 1006 or GG 1507.

Overview

Systems theory in relation to the environment and to the concept of energy transfer in the environment. Climatic, geomorphic, hydrological and ecological systems are considered in relations to these underlying themes. Environmental change is considered at the end of the course as an integrating concept.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week. 5 two-hour workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Shubin

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above who have passed GG 1006 or GG 1507.

Overview

The origins and development of human geography and of changing geographical perspectives; the world space economy; place and identity, and changing landscapes of power.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week. 5 two-hour workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Mair

Pre-requisites

GG 1007 or GG 1508

Co-requisites

None

Overview

The course focuses on understanding physical environmental processes and change. In particular three broad themes of hydrology, glaciology and palaeoecology will be explored to illustrate the linkages and interactions between process and form over a range of temporal and spatial scales. The three themes are team-taught by staff with a strong emphasis on using examples from their own research projects.

Structure

20 lectures (2 per week)
Online practicals TBA

Assessment

1st Attempt: For students who complete the two coursework exercises to a satisfactory standard: coursework (100%). These students will obtain exemption from the degree exam, and their coursework mark will provide the overall course CAS mark.

For students who do not obtain exemption from the degree exam: coursework (50%) plus exam (50%).

Resit: Original coursework carried forward (50%), plus exam (50%).

Formative Assessment

There is no stand-alone, formal formative assessment. However, feedback on summative assessments should help students to improve their subsequent performances within the course and for follow-up second half-session courses. See box below.

Feedback

Students receive individual, written feedback on their coursework using standard comments sheets. We also provide whole-class feedback via WebCT. This includes the main points of answers/tutors? mark schemes to encourage students to review where they gained and lost marks.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Mighall

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above who have passed GG 1005 or GG 1506.

Overview

Development of human societies: cultural evolution and environmental perception; the natural resource base for human development and the changing nature of resource use. Contemporary global environmental issues; climate change, pollution, biodiversity, water resource impacts, desertification. Alternative world views on human/environment relationship; aspects and interpretations of sustainable development; policy approaches to environmental management.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week. 5 two-hour workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr M Spagnolo

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above.

Overview

As much as 80% of the information used in decision-making has a geo-based context. Knowledge and understanding of this basic resource can radically improve the effectiveness of every manager, and especially those concerned with Earth recourses and environment. In support of this need the course covers the following: measurement, recording and manipulation of ground-surveyed and remotely-sensed data; approaches to environmental monitoring based on multi-temporal images and/or maps; the storage, manipulation and timely provision of geographical information; methods of analysing and presenting the results through GIS and Geovisualisation. The technical basis will form the foundations of the course, with greater emphasis placed on applications of GI through continuous reference to case-studies at a range of scales (from local to global) both in lectures and practical projects (including preparation of effective maps using appropriate technologies.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture per week and 6 one-hour practicals.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available to students in Programme Year 2 registered for one of Geography and Environment’s degree programmes, or at least three from GG2003, GG2004, GG2504 and GG2505. Students who do not meet these criteria may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Notes

This course involves an Easter field trip. Students are advised not to make arrangements for the vacation until details of the trips are confirmed.

Overview

The course introduces key geosciences and related research skills and contains both classroom, web and field based components. Students receive instruction on conducting geoscience investigations effectively and safely. Topics considered include concepts underpinning geosciences research, and basic data gathering, presentation and analysis methods (such as questionnaire design, simple quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, basic laboratory skills, report writing, effective map production and oral presentation). An important element of the course is a five day residential field course which enables students to employ the skills learnt in lectures and tutorial sessions.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures and the equivalent of 1 one-hour tutorial per week, plus a five-day residential field course over the Easter vacation. The field course involves a student contribution of approximately £120

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%). There will be three separate elements, including a field course report. A student MUST achieve a PASS in EACH element to be awarded an overall PASS for the course.

Resit: Apply to course coordinator.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Year 2 registered for one of Geography and Environments degree programmes, or at least three from GG 2003, GG 2004, GG 2504 and GG 2505. Students who do not meet these criteria may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the course coordinator.

[Note - will need to replace the old course codes with the new!]

Co-requisites

None

Notes

This course involves an Easter field trip. Students are advised not to make arrangements for the vacation until details of the trips are confirmed. The field course involves a student contribution of approximately ?xxx (to update each year).

Overview

The course introduces key research skills for the geosciences, both scientific and social scientific, and includes both lecture and practical components. Students will learn how to conduct investigations in their chosen field of study effectively and safely. Topics considered include concepts underpinning geosciences research, and basic methods of data gathering, analysis and presentation (such as questionnaire design, keeping of a field notebook, basic field skills, some statistical training, report writing). The core element of the course is a residential fieldtrip in the Easter vacation. This enables students to employ the skills and techniques learned in lectures and workgroup sessions to conduct original research into phenomena/issues covered elsewhere in the suite of Level 1 and 2 courses in Geography & Environment.

Structure

Lectures to introduce principles of research design, key techniques of data collection and analysis, supported by workgroup sessions for field trip preparation, plus the field trip itself.

Separate practical training day Incorporate as part of trip.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%):
Pre-trip presentation (20%)
End-of-trip presentation (20%)
Report, written up as a short research paper (2,500 words) (60%).

Apply to course coordinator. In exceptional circumstances, students may be permitted to resubmit the field trip report.

Formative Assessment

Students work in groups, supported by staff, to prepare their field trip projects. Students are expected to keep a diary/notebook that records the progress of their project. Pre-trip and end-of-trip presentations provide opportunities for formative feedback that can be used to improve students performance at the next task/stage of assessment. See box below.

Feedback

Feedback (verbal and/or written) on students pre-trip presentation before the field trip provides opportunities to adjust the proposed research design. Feedback (verbal and/or written) on students end-of-trip presentation provides opportunities to adjust the processing and write-up of data. Students receive individual written feedback on their project report. We also provide a group debrief that identifies strengths and weaknesses and looks ahead to the additional demands of Level 3 study.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor C Soulsby

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11.
This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4026.

Overview

Hydrological processes operating in the natural environment will be examined, monitoring techniques will be considered and basic approaches to the analysis and modelling of hydrological data will be described. An introduction to the various types of river and wetland environments will also be given and the ways in which hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes interact to sustain these environments will be examined. After this general introduction, the course will examine and highlight the importance of hydrology in understanding and responding to a range of problems in environmental management. These will include issues of water supply, flood management, water pollution and wetland conservation.

Structure

1 two hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4027.

Overview

This course aims to provide an introduction to the theory, practice and applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Topics covered include: what is a GIS?; GIS education, training and short courses; an historical overview of the development and evolution of GIS; what is spatial data?; GIS as a toolbox; GIS hardware requirements; small, medium and large GIS software systems; data sources, capture, input and storage; output from a GIS; the Human Computer Interface (HCI); the integrated image-based GIS; multimedia GIS; Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs); important new areas of development in GIS Technology e.g. cartography, expert systems, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS); and coverage of a wide range of GIS applications. Theoretical concepts of GIS are reinforced with the aid of a GIS tutor and demonstrations of GIS software. Limited ‘hands-on’ experience is provided with the IDRISI software package.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment: project (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A Dawson

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4031.

Overview

The course establishes the nature of the main coastal, nearshore and estuarine processes and enables an appreciation of the characteristics and the evolution of most types of coastlines. Geomorphological knowledge is applied to a range of coastal-zone management problems, including coast protection works, nature conservation, beach and dune recreational pressures, and the establishment of sediment budgets. By the end of the course, students will have gained an understanding of the synergies of the main process factors in operation, including anthropic intervention. The main aim of the course is to increase appreciation of the physical and biological factors involved in the rational management of coastal environments. Students will achieve an awareness of the journal literature pertinent to the subject matter, and an appreciation of current gaps in our knowledge. By the end of the course they should be able to generate ideas for research strategies that could help to fill them.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J H Farrington

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4016.

Overview

Economic and physical characteristics of transport systems. Development of Britain’s transport systems. Transport Policy: control and deregulation. Rural and urban transport problems. Transport and environmental impacts.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4018.

Overview

Environmental Remote Sensing covers a range of techniques for acquiring Images of the Earth’s surface, from aircraft and satellites, and the application to environmental issues and problems. The main themes of the course are:

1. The physical basis: electromagnetic energy and spectral regions; the role
   of the atmosphere; aspects of energy/surface interactions; spectral response of Earth surface features.


2. Acquisition and processing (converting data into information): airborne and satellite platforms for sensors; methods of image processing and analysis (visual and digital).


3. Application to study of the Earth’s environment: the value of information derived from remote sensing is considered at a range of scales, form local to global (including map making, land-use/cover change, deforestation, drought early warning, crop yield forecasting, natural hazards and environmental management).

Structure

1 two hour lecture per week

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2507 and at least three from GG 2003, GG 2004, GG 2504, GG 2505.

Overview

The course is designed to introduce students to key debates, both past and present, on the nature and scope of academic geography. As such, it provides essential background for study of geography at an advanced level, irrespective of any intended specialisation. Wherever possible, parallels are drawn between the physical, environmental and human branches of the subject, although the reality (or otherwise) of geography as a single, coherent discipline is also put under scrutiny. Students are encouraged to take a critical stance towards the various claims made for and against the different types of geography, and the notion of geography as a 'contested enterprise' forms a major theme of the course.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 two-hour tutorials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (50%) and 1 two-hour examination (50%).

Resit: Resit possible for exam component only (50%) plus original coursework carried forward (50%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D W F Mair

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4033.

Overview

1. Glacial processes and landforms. Topics include glacier mass balance, motion,
   hydrology, erosion and deposition processes, erosional and depositional landforms.


2. Glaciers and climate. Topics include measuring and modelling glacial processes,
   climatic interpretation of landform assemblages and ice cores, ice-climate
   interactions, case studies of contemporary ice sheets.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course work (33%): two data response exercises.

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C N Gibbins

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4037. This course will not run in 2011/12.

Overview

The course is structured as follows:

Part I. Basic principles: (i) Disturbance, continuum and hierarchical theory, (ii) The physical habitat template of rivers, (iii) River ecosystem diversity and function.

Part II. Human impacts: (i) River regulation, (ii) Pollution, (iii) Landuse change (iii) Climate change.

Part III. River restoration and management: (i) Development of environmental flows, (ii) River restoration.

The course will close with a summary and synthesis lecture. This will illustrate how concepts, themes and approaches covered in individual lectures for part of current EU river management policy and legislation.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus continuous assessment mark carried forward from 1st attempt (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms G Wall

Pre-requisites

LE2030 or permission of course coordinator.

Overview

Data sources; population and household forecasts; housing and employment land forecasts; transport forecasts; environmental appraisal; retail and employment impact studies; transport assessments; environmental auditing; planning and environmental indicators; ecological footprinting).

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week (to be arranged).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course continuous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above. This course will not be available in 2009/10. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4047.

Overview

This course adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to the problems of coastal management, so it is suitable for Geography, Marine and Coastal Resource Management and Planning students. The focus is mainly on coursework with some innovative student-based learning, which is developed using a scenario of a ‘Marine and Coastal Resource Consultancy project for the Scottish Office’. Therefore Integrated Coastal Management offers a range of vital skills for employment.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: a) One group research project with presentation (individual mark, 33%); b) an individual report (33%); c) one 2-hour examination (33%).

Resit: examination (33%) plus original coursework carried forward (67%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4048. This course will not be available in 2010/11.

Overview

This course considers a variety of socio-economic issues associated with the countryside at local, national and European scales, including rural economic restructuring, demographic change, social inclusion, rural transport and accessibility, rural lifestyles and rural housing. The reform of rural policy, new strategies for rural development and governance and rural conflicts are reviewed and critically evaluated. Future directions for rural communities are discussed.

Structure

16 one-hour lectures and 2 one-hour seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%), 1 two thousand word essay (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Loder

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above who have passed LE 1512.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4049.

Overview

This course provides students with an introduction to the concept of value, the measurement of value and methods of valuation. Principles of valuation are explained using examples from both land and coastal economy. Topics covered can include: the coastal property market; determinants of rental, capital and site value; cost of capital, equated yields and growth; extensions and renewal of leases; development and valuation of harbours, marinas and coastal areas including consideration of specific marine constraints and benefits.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures and 1 one-hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour resit examination (67%) plus original continuous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor H Geist

Pre-requisites

GG 2505 plus at least one of GG 2003 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4050.

Overview

The course begins with consideration of the character of major global land change classes (eg cropland extension), distinguishing between land "use" and "cover". It proceeds with an examination of land change theories, models and concepts of change detection, followed by empirically gained rates of historical and contemporary land change. The theoretical and empirical background is then used to review causative factors and general trajectories (eg, forest transition). The multiple impacts of land change upon ecosystem services and human well-being are explored, before discussing scenarios of future land change (and related impacts) as well as general issues of land-related policies.

Structure

10 two-hour lecture/discussion classes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%); coursework: essay or project (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original coursework carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Tetzlaff

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4051.

Overview

The course is structured as follows:

Part I. Basic principles: role of modelling in environmental research and management, conceptualisation, model structure, model development, calibration, validation.

Part II. Modelling different types of environmental systems eg hydrology, ecology, geomorphology: issues and approaches.

Part III. Model application in management and predicting environmental change.

Part IV. Practical modelling exercise (self-learning, model application).

The course will close with a summary and synthesis lecture. This will illustrate how concepts, themes and approaches covered in individual lectures are part of current research challenges and management applications.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures plus 2 two-hour tutorials for modelling exercise.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus coursework (33%) - essay or project.

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original coursework carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

GG2003 and GG2507. Available only to students registered for the BSc Geography-Geoscience programme or the BSc Archaeology-Geography programme.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3031.

Overview

This course is designed to introduce students to key debates, both past and present, on the nature and scope of the earth and environmental sciences. As such it provides essential background for study of physical geography/geosciences at an advanced level. Content will include key aspects of the history of the earth and environmental sciences (eg the discovery of 'deep time', the development of ideas about ice ages, the impact of evolutionary theory, the 'quantitative revolution' in physical geography post-1945, the importance of digital technologies, the influence of environmentalism). We relate these to important concepts used to structure explanation in the earth sciences (eg, uniformitarianism, historical approaches vs. process studies, systems and models). The last third of course addresses the implications for research (eg, the possibilities and pitfalls of different qualitative and quantitative approaches). This part of the course incorporates some practical work, including a one-day field trip.

Structure

16 hours of lectures, 4 hours of seminars, 4 hours of practical classes and one day field trip. Teaching is spread across both half-sessions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (67%); one seminar presentation, first half-session (33%); one research practical exercise, second half-session (33%); one 1-hour written examination in January (33%).

Resit: Resit possible for exam component only (33%) plus original coursework carried forward (67%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Walton

Pre-requisites

GG 2004

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11, but will run in alternate years from 2009/10. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4053.

Overview

This course will cover:
The institutional framework within which the UK (and Scottish) spatial planning system operate; the legal meaning of 'development'; the submission and determination of planning applications; the use of conditions and agreements; the role of enforcement action against unauthorised development; special legal controls for the regulation of advertisements and the protection of the historic built environment, the natural environment and trees; compulsory purchase powers and compensation; the legal duties of spatial planners and surveyors.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures/discussion classes (weekly).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); coursework: mock planning inquiry (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); original coursework carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Shubin

Pre-requisites

GG 2004 or GG 2504; available only to students in Programme Year 3.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4061. This course will not be available in 2010/11.

Overview

The imagined geographies of Russia. Where is Russia? The re-emerging Federation. Russia and globilization. The effects of transition. Popular culture. Geographies of gender and sexuality in Russia. Russian culture and identity. Consumption and consumerism. Urban/rural Russia. Where next for Russia?

Structure

10 x 2 hour lectures. At least seven hours per week should be spent on wider reading and coursework assignments.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One individual project (33%) and one two-hour examination (67%).

Resit: A two-hour examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available only to joint programme candidates in Programme Year 3 who have passed GG 2507 and at least three from GG 2003, GG 2004, GG 2504, GG 2505.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3031 or GG 3052.

Overview

The course is designed to introduce students to key debates, both past and present, on the nature and scope of academic geography. As such, it provides essential background for study of geography at an advanced level, irrespective of any intended specialisation. Wherever possible, parallels are drawn between the physical, environmental and human branches of the subject, although the reality (or otherwise) of geography as a single, coherent discipline is also put under scrutiny. Students are encouraged to take a critical stance towards the various claims made for and against the different types of geography, and the notion of geography as a 'contested enterprise' forms a major theme of the course.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 two-hour seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework: one seminar presentation (33%) plus one piece of written work (33%), plus 1 one-hour examination (33%).

Resit: Original coursework carried forward (67%) plus 1 one-hour examination (33%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mrs M Aspinall

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

GG 3041

Overview

Within this course students will: identify, assemble, interrogate and manipulate relevant socio-economic and environmental data; produce future projections for matters such as population and economic activity in order to calculate the likely demands for new housing and commercial development; evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternative planning and development scenarios; devise an appropriate development strategy for one of the transport corridors within the Aberdeen hinterland; and prepare a site specific land use development plan for one of the settlements within that transportation corridor.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/practical workshop each week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-hour written examination (33%); continual assessment (67%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor W Neill

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with the GG 4065. This course will be available in 2011/12 and alternate years thereafter.

Overview

The course is structured as follows

Part 1. This will review recent theoretical writing on the role of place in the constitution of cultural identity and establish links to prior theorists in geography, economics and sociology.

Part 2. This will be a case study of the spatially of identity formation in the range of concrete city settings with a particular focus on urban planning and development. The tension with place marketing will receive particular attention.

Part 3. This will explore the concepts of urban citizenship and social capital as participatory processes for the construction of plural cities accommodating a variety of cultural identities.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures each week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%) - an essay/project.

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus continuous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Alastair MD Gemmell

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504. Course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4530.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11.

Overview

Roles of geomorphology in planning and development; data collection, analysis and presentation of geomorphological information for non-specialist end-users; geomorphological techniques for resource evaluation, planning, construction and maintenance of communication routes; geomorphology and environmental protection; techniques for the evaluation and management of natural geomorphological phenomena, including geomorphological hazards; stategies for coping with geomorphological impacts of environmental change.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures (one per week for the first 10 weeks of the course) plus a possible field day.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment (33%)

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment mark carried forward from 1st attempt (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Mauquoy

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 3026.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4519. Due to limited facilities it may be necessary to limit numbers for this course. Please contact the course co-ordinator for further details.

Overview

Introduction: principles of palaeoecology.
Late-and postglacial palaecological patterns.
Fieldwork: coring and collection of samples.
Laboratory pretreatment of samples.
Keys and modern material.
Fossil materials.
Collation and presentation of data.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week (9 weeks) and 1 day field excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Laboratory/field book (30%); project based on group data and analysis, but written up independently by individual (70%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Ioris

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed either GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4520.

Overview

This course focuses on rural land use policy and governance in Britain, within the broad theme of environment-society interaction and the spatial impact of public policy. State influence and intervention in matters relating to rural land use are examined in general terms and more especially in relation to individual sectors such as countryside recreation, forestry, agriculture and nature conservation. The changing role of the countryside and the evolution of rural land-use planning are reviewed, and issues such as national parks and afforestation are considered.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B R Rea

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in year 3 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4544. This course will not be available in 2010/11.

Overview

This course will include an introduction to the Quaternary and pre-Quaternary world, and will deal in detail with Quaternary Environments using a number of case studies: glacial; periglacial; sea level; hydrology; ocean-atmospheric circulation; Quaternary dating and environmental reconstruction. Data analysis and literature searching, evaluation and assessment.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/practical per week. Plus a 1 day field excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: A two-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: A two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS in-course assessment mark carried forward from first attempt (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 of a Planning or Surveying degree.

Overview

The course prepares students for undertaking research projects (including dissertations) by providing engagement with issues of research philosophy and design, literature searching, and the selection and the competent and critical use of appropriate observational and analytical techniques and tools. It is organised in three main sections:
Part A Research contexts
Part B Collecting and processing information
Part C Reporting your research
- Quantitative methods
- Qualitative methods
- Social survey and interviewing
- Field and laboratory techniques
- Preparation, planning and presentation of a research project.

Structure

12 lectures supported with practical workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%).
Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed MR 1510 and GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11. This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4549.

Overview

Brief history of navigation and hydrography and the current significance; review of applications; the elements of hydrography; method of fixing position afloat; unelevated position fixing; processing of hydrographic data.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr S Kelman

Pre-requisites

Available to students in Programme Year 3 and above.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4550.

Overview

The aim of this course is to provide students with a broad knowledge of the concepts and practice relevant to the study of economic development and regeneration and prepare them for further research activity at the forefront of established thinking. It explores the challenges of achieving effective regeneration in the UK cities while also considering experiences in North American, European and Middle Eastern cities. It also provides an introduction to the issues involved in assessing the effectiveness of regeneration.

The course will enable an understanding of:

• Institutional and policy context for economic development and regeneration


• Partnerships structures and dynamics in regeneration


• Funding, finance and taxation in economic development and regeneration


• Regeneration strategies, project development and implementation


• Evaluation and monitoring in regeneration

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and coursework: essay or project (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original coursework carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Watts

Pre-requisites

GG 2004, or permission of Course Coordinator.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4551.

Overview

This course examines the production and consumption of different types of food at a range of scales using various geographical perspectives. Specific topics include: food sector governance: public policy and private regulation; developments in, and key debates on, the food 'system': eg, agro-industry vs post-productivism; agriculture and rural space(s): the changing rural economy; food processing and retailing: eg, globalisation and the rise of food multi-nationals, the impact of branding and advertising; the what, where and why of food consumption: eg, different spaces of food consumption (restaurant, café, home, etc), ethical foods, convenience foods, food and gender; new spatial patterns of food: eg, the impact of policies to stimulate farm diversification; short food supply chains and alternative food networks.

Structure

10 two-hour lecture/discussion classes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%); coursework: essay or project (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original coursework carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms Gill Wall

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Year 3.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4554.

Overview

Intended for planners, surveyors and human geographers, this course supports the RTPI’s design-based learning outcome, focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of alternative design approaches in creating high quality public spaces. The course provides professional knowledge and academic skills in critical design appraisal to increase student employability in an area highlighted by the RTPI and the Government as suffering from major skills shortages.

• Introduction to design principles, policy, toolkits and practice. The costs of poor design and the value of maximising design quality.
• Principles of design – introduction to design, form and function, sustainable placemaking, space design and the public realm, appreciating and evaluating alternative approaches to design.
• Principles of development – the role of various actors in the development process, constraints, obstacles and feasibility.
• Role of design in development and planning processes – design control and quality, design policies, frameworks, guidelines, codes and statements, masterplans, charrettes, community participation in design. Evaluating alternative design approaches in the wider context.

Structure

10 two-hour lecture / workshop per week

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and coursework project: group presentation (20%) and individual report (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (50%) + original coursework carried forward (50%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

At least one of GG 2003, GG 2004, GG 2504 or GG 2505, or permission of course coordinator.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4556.

Overview

This course will provide an introduction to the Geography of the Vine and Wine. It will include an examination of the historical aspects of geography and wine and the influence of climate and climate change, geology, and soils (terroir) on wine and viticulture (grape-growing). The impact of the wine industry on the cultural, historical, and environmental landscape will also be considered. Students will develop an appreciation for the environmental constraints of vine growing together with the geographical characteristics of wines and wine regions. A study will be made of the wine industry, from vine to vineyard. This will include vineyard management to bottling, marketing and distribution. Finally, the application of remote sensing, digital mapping, GPS and GIS to vineyard management will also be studied, specifically focusing on the impact of geographical data and analysis on precision viticulture in vineyard management. Case studies will be drawn from around the world to illustrate various aspects of the module.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures (weekly). GIS practical sessions will be arranged. Occasional guest speakers.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%); coursework (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original coursework carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Walton

Pre-requisites

GG 2004

Notes

No previous knowledge of law is necessary. This course will not run in 2011/12 and in alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4557.

Overview

This course will cover:
The international, European and domestic institutional framework within which legal and other controls of the environment are devised for application within Scotland, the UK and elsewhere; the types of control available for the regulation of pollution; the control of pollution into water, air and the ground; the concept of environmental justice, environmental wrongs and environmental crimes; the role of pollution control agencies and the courts in enforcing standards; the emerging role of self-regulation and economic regulation.

Structure

10 two-hour lecture/discussion classes (weekly).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); coursework: individual project (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); original coursework carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr M Reed

Pre-requisites

None. Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4562. This course will not be available in 2010/2011.

Overview

• Plant benefits: students explore the wide range of benefits humans derive from plants, including including food, clothing, bioenergy, transport, medicine and spirituality, through lectures, a film and a landscapeer art workshop;


• Understanding plant-human interactions: human impacts on plant communities are investigated in the context of equilibrium, non-equilibrium and island biogeography ecology theory, through lectures, discussion and case studies from around the world;


• Rural planning and conservation for sustainable development: knowledge of theory and driving forces is applied to design rural planning and conservation to safeguard social and economic sustainability. The need for active participation by (often diverse) stakeholder groups in the design and management of conservation areas is emphasised. This is done through lectures, case studies, a role-play exercise, a moorland tour with farmer, gamekeeper and conservation representatives, and farm visits to local conventional and organic arable and livestock farms taking part in agri-envirmental schemes.

Structure

1 two-hour seminar per week
Practicals: 1 two-hour (tree identification and ethnobotany)
Field trips:
Moorland tour and outdoor debate: 1 two-hour (+3 hours travel time)
Farm visits: 2 three-hour (+2 hours travel time)
Watching supplementary material on module podcast: 1 hour

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%):
a) One 1,500 word ethnobotany mini-website (37.5%)
b) 1 tree identification assessment (12.5%)
c) 1 conservation strategy: map and 2,000 word explanatory note (50%).

Resit: Resubmission of assignment a) (focuss on a different species of the students' choice) and/or resit of assignment b) (re-set with different species) is possible. Normally, no resit of assignment c) will be possible, with the original mark to be carried forward.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 with a School of Geosciences study aim. Students from other Schools may be admitted at the discretion of the Course Coordinator. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4563. This course will run in academic year 2010/11 and in alternate years thereafter.

Overview

The OilSim Petroleum Exploration Learning Simulation software offers a novel and innovative way to provide the basis to combine theory with practice, and draws upon many different subjects including geography, GIS/digital mapping, geology, oil and gas exploration, the marine and coastal sciences, business studies, etc. The first part of the course will provide essential theoretical background to the subject matter including the OilSim software with guided practical 'dummy' sessions on the use of the software tools and techniques. The second part of the course will provide a group learning environment to apply the theory in a competitive problem-solving environment. The course/module will run for 12 weeks as a 24 hour module. The first 6 weeks will focus on learning the background and theory, together with familiarisation with the OilSim simulation software. The second 6 weeks will focus on running the simulation 'for real', culminating in completion of the simulation exercise.

Structure

6 two-hour lecture/practical and 6 two-hour computer laboratory sessions. In addition an occasional guest speaker (from ACC/Simprentis).

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework-based assessment (100%) with no examination in the normal examination period. Written exercise based on the theory taught in the first half of the module (33%) plus 1 two-hour online simulation examination (where groups will be in competition) (67%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding and Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates in Programme Year 3 who have passed GG 3031.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3052 or GG 3566.

Overview

Introductory sessions examine the nature of the research process, addressing questions such as "What makes a good piece of research"? and "How does a particular approach to your subject influence the type of research undertaken?" Introductory classes also explain the aims and intended learning outcomes of the undergraduate dissertation, and encourage you to think of a suitable topic to investigate. Follow-up sessions cover techniques of literature and data searches, and how to write a literature review. Later sessions introduce you to a range of quantitative and qualitative methods for collecting and processing data, applicable to a wide range of geographical research questions. The course also considers the ethics of the research process, and, finally, how to present your dissertation to make the most of your research efforts.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus supporting workshops and practical exercises.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%): students select four assignments: 1) essay - research contexts (20%); 2) and 3) two short reports - data analysis and interpretation case study exercises, selected from the choice provided (two 20%); 3) preliminary literature review/research planning exercise (double-weighted, 40%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr William Walton

Pre-requisites

At least one of the following courses: LE 2530; GG 2004; GG 2504; MR 2506; MR 2507. No prior instruction in law, politics or economics is assumed for this course. Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

This course will not be available in 2011/2012. May not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4565.

Overview

This course is designed for students with an interest in how best to make use of land, water and cultural resources. It examines the science, ethics, economics, law and politics of land and marine management at a variety of geographic levels from the international down to the local, and draws heavily upon case studies from the USA, the UK and the rest of Europe. Potential examples include the protection and management of: Antarctica; fish stocks; areas of natural beauty; historical cities; and the peri-urban fringe from the threats posed by the likes of: mineral extraction; energy schemes; airport expansion; intensive farming practices; urban sprawl and tourism/leisure proposals.

Structure

The course will be taught through a mixture of lectures, discussions and seminars, supported by self directed learning. There will also be 2 one-day visits to local environmental 'hotspots' such as the Cairngorm Natonal Park and the Sands of Forvie / Menie Dunes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (67%) (cast study: report and presentation) plus examination (33%).

Resit: Original coursework carried forward (67%) plus examination (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding and Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to joint programme candidates in Programme Year 3 who have passed GG 3063.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3052 or GG 3564.

Overview

Introductory sessions examine the nature of the research process, addressing questions such as "What makes a good piece of research?" and "How does a particular approach to your subject influence the type of research undertaken?" Follow-up sessions cover techniques of literature and data searches, and how to write a literature review. Later sessions introduce you to a range of quantitative and qualitative methods for collecting and processing data, applicable to a wide range of geographical research questions. The course also considers the ethics of the research process, and, finally, how to present your work to make the most of your research efforts.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus supporting workshops and practical exercises.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%): students select three assignments from the choice provided, each of which counts for one-third of the overall course mark. Intending candidates for GG 4023: Dissertation must complete the (double-weighted) preliminary literature review/research planning exercise.

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Mighall

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2009/10. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4567.

Overview

The course will cover a series of themes which will be taught as principles and as integrated topics. Areas to be covered will include the chronological and climatic framework of the Quaternay, glacial and interglacial cycles, landforms and soils.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week; 1 field trip replaces a 2 hour class.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit examination - 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J Anable

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3028.

Overview

Economic and physical characteristics of transport systems. Development of Britain’s transport systems. Transport Policy: control and deregulation. Sustainable transport. Rural and urban transport problems. Transport and environmental impacts.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3029.

Overview

Environmental Remote Sensing covers a range of techniques for acquiring Images of the Earth’s surface, from aircraft and satellites, and the application to environmental issues and problems. The main themes of the course are:

1. The physical basis: electromagnetic energy and spectral regions; the role
   of the atmosphere; aspects of energy/surface interactions; spectral response of Earth surface features.


2. Acquisition and processing (converting data into information): airborne
   and satellite platforms for sensors; methods of image processing and analysis
   (visual and digital).


3. Application to study of the Earth’s environment: the value of information derived from remote sensing is considered at a range of scales, form local to global (including map making, land-use/cover change, deforestation, drought
   early warning, crop yield forecasting, natural hazards and environmental management).

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to Honours students in Geography who are in programme year 4 and who have passed GG 3528.

Overview

Students design, execute and report on a research project on an approved topic.

Structure

Each student receives approximately 6 hours supervisory guidance.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%) (dissertation).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor C Soulsby

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3017

Overview

Hydrological processes operating in the natural environment will be examined, monitoring techniques will be considered and basic approaches to the analysis and modelling of hydrological data will be described. An introduction to the various types of river and wetland environments will also be given and the ways in which hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes interact to sustain these environments will be examined. After this general introduction, the course will examine and highlight the importance of hydrology in understanding and responding to a range of problems in environmental management. These will include issues of water supply, flood management, water pollution and wetland conservation.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 hours of seminars/directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3019.

Overview

This course aims to provide an introduction to the theory, practice and applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Topics covered include: what is a GIS?; GIS education, training and short courses; an historical overview of the development and evolution of GIS; what is spatial data?; GIS as a toolbox; GIS hardware requirements; small, medium and large GIS software systems; data sources, capture, input and storage; output from a GIS; the Human Computer Interface (HCI); the integrated image-based GIS; multimedia GIS; Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs);important new areas of development in GIS Technology e.g. cartography, expert systems, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS); and coverage of a wide range of GIS applications. Theoretical concepts of GIS are reinforced with the aid of a GIS tutor and demonstrations of GIS software. Limited ‘hands-on’ experience is provided with the IDRISI software package.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A Dawson

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3025.

Overview

The course establishes the nature of the main coastal, nearshore and estuarine processes and enables an appreciation of the characteristics and the evolution of most types of coastlines. Geomorphological knowledge is applied to a range of coastal-zone management problems, including coast protection works, nature conservation, beach and dune recreational pressures, and the establishment of sediment budgets. By the end of the course, students will have gained an understanding of the synergies of the main process factors in operation, including anthropic intervention. The main aim of the course is to increase appreciation of the physical and biological factors involved in the rational management of coastal environments. Students will achieve an awareness of the journal literature pertinent to the subject matter, and an appreciation of current gaps in our knowledge. By the end of the course they should be able to generate ideas for research strategies that could help to fill them.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures/seminars per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D W F Mair

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3032.

Overview

1. Glacial processes and landforms. Topics include glacier mass balance, motion,
   hydrology, erosion and deposition processes, erosional and depositional landforms.


2. Glaciers and climate. Topics include measuring and modelling glacial processes,
   climatic interpretation of landform assemblages and ice cores, ice-climate
   interactions, case studies of contemporary ice sheets.

   Structure

   2 one-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

   Assessment

   1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and course work (33%): two data response exercises.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C N Gibbins

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students in programme year 4 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3037. This course will not be available in 2009/10.

Overview

The course is structured as follows:

Part I. Basic principles: (i) Disturbance, continuum and hierarchical theory, (ii) The physical habitat template of rivers, (iii) River ecosystem diversity and function.

Part II. Human impacts: (i) River regulation, (ii) Pollution, (iii) Landuse change, (iv) Climate change.

Part III. River restoration and management: (i) Development of enviromental flows, (ii) River restoration.

Part IV. Field day: The ecological basis for management in the River Dee catchment. This will include a workshop to consider management issues and options for sustainable catchment management in the Dee.

The course will close with a summary and synthesis lecture. This will illustrate how concepts, themes and approaches covered in individual lectures for part of current EU river management policy and legislation.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures (one per week for the first 10 weeks of the course), plus a field day.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examinations (67%) plus continuous assessment (33%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available to Senior Honours students who have passed GG 3547.

Overview

Personal research supported by formal introduction to research methods (in associated course) and by regular supervision.

Structure

Required field work: discussion with supervisor (15 hours).

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%): submission of dissertation (including original work) on topic approved by Head of School.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3047.

Overview

This course adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to the problems of coastal management, so it is suitable for Geography, Marine and Coastal Resource Management and Planning students. The focus is mainly on coursework with some innovative student-based learning, which is developed using a scenario of a ‘Marine and Coastal Resource Consultancy project for the Scottish Office’. Therefore Integrated Coastal Management offers a range of vital skills for employment.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: a) One group research project with presentation (individual mark, 33%); b) an individual report (33%); c) one 2-hour examination (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3048. This course will not be available in 2010/2011.

Overview

This course considers a variety of socio-economic issues associated with the countryside at local, national and European scales, including rural economic restructuring, demographic change, social inclusion, rural transport and accessibility, rural lifestyles and rural housing. The reform of rural policy, new strategies for rural development and governance and rural conflicts are reviewed and critically evaluated. Future directions for rural communities are discussed.

Structure

16 one-hour lectures and 6 one-hour seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%), 1 two thousand word essay (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Loder

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3051.

Overview

This course provides students with an introduction to the concept of value, the measurement of value and methods of valuation. Principles of valuation are explained using examples from both land and coastal economy. Topics covered can include: the coastal property market; determinants of rental, capital and site value; cost of capital, equated yields and growth; extensions and renewal of leases; development and valuation of harbours, marinas and coastal areas including consideration of specific marine constraints and benefits.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures and 1 one-hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor H Geist

Pre-requisites

GG 2505 plus at least one of GG 2003 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3050.

Overview

The course begins with consideration of the character of major global land change classes (eg cropland extension), distinguishing between land "use" and "cover". It proceeds with an examination of land change theories, models and concepts of change detection, followed by empirically gained rates of historical and contemporary land change. The theoretical and empirical background is then used to reivew causative factors and general trajectories (eg, forest transition). The multiple impacts of land change upon ecosystem services and human well-being are explored, before discussing scenarios of future land change (and related impacts) as well as general issues of land-related policies.

Structure

12 two-hour lecture/discussion classes, to include four hours dedicated to specialist topics for Level 4 students.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%); coursework: essay or project (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Tetzlaff

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3051

Overview

The course is structured as follows:

Part I. Basic principles: role of modelling in environmental research and management, conceptualisation, model structure, model development, calibration, validation.

Part II. Modelling different types of environmental systems eg hydrology, ecology, geomorphology: issues and approaches.

Part III. Model application in management and predicting environmental change.

The course will close with a summary and synthesis lecture. This will illustrate how concepts, themes and approaches covered in individual lectures are part of current research challenges and management applications.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus coursework (33%) - essay or project.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Walton

Pre-requisites

GG 2004

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3053.

Overview

This course will cover:
The institutional framework within which the UK (and Scottish) spatial planning system operates; the legal meaning of 'development'; the submission and determination of planning applications; the use of conditions and agreements; the role of enforcement action against unauthorised development; special legal controls for the regulation of advertisements and the protection of the historic built environment, the natural environment and trees; compulsory purchase powers and compensation; the legal duties of spatial planners and surveyors.

Structure

12 two-hour lecture/discussion classes (weekly) to include four hours dedicated to specialist topics for Level 4 students.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); coursework: mock planning inquiry (33%).

Resit: Not applicable.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

The course will not be available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3056. This course will not be available in 2011/12. This course is ONLY available to students who are in programme year 4 and are enrolled for a Rural Surveying OR Rural Surveying and Spatial Planning study aim.

Overview

The role of law in managing the countryside; the institutional framework; the law relating to game and fishing; the agricultural holdings legislation; forestry law; nature conservation law; the law relating to access to the countryside.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 4 one-hour tutorials fortnightly, required field work: practical exercises. One two-hour lecture per week to include 4 hours dedicated to specialist topics for level 4 students.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination paper (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A M D Gemmell

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003.

Co-requisites

GG 3052 or GG 3564 or GG 3566

Overview

This course centres on a field trip to an alpine area. General material covers climate, ecology (spatial and temporal influences on floral and faunal habitats), geomorphology (including tectonics, glaciers and slope failure), hydrology (runoff processes, sediment transport and channel stability) and resource and engineering issues. The interaction of these to create the unique character of the alpine landscape. This project accounts for the majority of time spent in the field (three full days). The subsequent report forms a major part of the course assessment.

Structure

12 hours of preparatory lectures/project planning sessions, plus one week field trip.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Project report (50%), field notebook (12.5%), field presentations (2 x 12.5%) and exam (12.5%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003 or GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Co-requisites

GG 3052 or GG 3547 or GG 3564 or GG 3566

Overview

Mediterranean environment, peasant societies and agrarian structure; effects of mass tourism, demography and migration; insularity and peripherality; historical geography and landscape evolution.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture per fortnight and fieldwork.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: on site presentations and field report (100%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Shubin

Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

GG 3547 or GG 3564 or GG 3566

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11.

Overview

The course provides a practical introduction to contemporary cultural geographies of Russia, focusing on five major themes:
- Analysis of Russian culture as a distribution of artifacts: cultural readings of landscapes and visual analysis of different building environments.
- Meanings of Russian cultural landscapes: understanding of how and why landscapes become embedded with individual and cultural meanings.
- Making "imaginary" geographies of Russial "real": how images structure people's understandings of the world and correspond to reality.
- Understanding of Russian culture as doing: different ways of experiencing spaces, focusing on youth and popular cultures.
- Exploration of Russian geographies of consumption: from the intimate spaces of home to the public spaces of the city.

Structure

5 x 2-hour preparatory workshops, 2 hours of pre-course presentations, 2 hours of on-course presentations plus field trip.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 33% research training before the field course starts (emphasis on content and research techniques); 33% fieldwork diary (incorporate critical commentaries and short tests); 33% end of course poster presentation (assessed on content, visual impact and oral presentation).
Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr W Walton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003 or GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Co-requisites

GG 3547 or GG 3564 or GG 3566

Notes

This course will not be available in 2009/10.

Overview

Students will gain first-hand experience of a range of issues in the American West via lectures, guided site visits and group project work, and students will receive lectures from academics and practitioners on relevant topics whilst in the United States. Issues covered by guided tour include water use and regulation, rangeland and forest management issues, American Indian affairs and urban and rural planning. Students will be expected to formulat and execute their own project ideas based on work undertaken in the preparatory sessions and direct field experience.

Structure

4 preparatory sessions in the UK before departure; guided lectures and site visits in the United States; self-guided study (reading, project planning and execution).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 field notebook (20%); oral presentation of group project plans (10%) and outcomes (30%); and 1,000 word individual essay (40%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Shubin

Pre-requisites

GG 2004 or GG 2504; available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3061. This course will not be available in session 2010/11.

Overview

The course begins with an introduction to the conventional imaginings of Russia constructed in Anglo-American lay and academic discourses. These visions are deconstructed in the following lectures which broaden and deepen understandings of connections between Russian society, the state, specific localities (Russian regions) and the processes of globalisation. It will explicitly explore the role of landscape and specific patterns of social interrelations in constructing contemporary identities within Russia. The course will uncover relations between space and culture during the period of the country’s social and economic transition; concentrating on changes and continuities in social and political construction of class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and generational identities. The course will address the complexity of Russian cultural geography by exploring changing patterns of cultural production and consumption, as well as the transformation of relations between the urban and the rural.

Structure

10 two hour lectures and two student-led sessions.

Assessment

One individual project (33%) and one two-hour examination (67%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor W Neill

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4 or above.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with the GG 3065. This course will be available in 2010/11 and alternate years thereafter.

Overview

The course is structured as follows

Part 1. This will review recent theoretical writing on the role of place in the constitution of cultural identity and establish links to prior theorists in geography, economics and sociology.

Part 2. This will be a case study of the spatiality of identity formation in the range of concrete city settings with a particular focus on urban planning and development. The tension with place marketing will recieve particular attention.

Part 3. This will explore the concepts of urban citizenship and social capital as participatory processes for the construction of plural cities accommodating a variety of cultural identities. Level 4 students will study this in additional depth through individual case study presentations.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures each week. Plus 4 additional hours for presentations/seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%) - an essay/presentations.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Mauquoy

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 who have passed GG 3026 or GG 4032.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3536. Due to limited facilities it may be necessary to limit numbers for this course. Please contact the course co-ordinator for further details.

Overview

Introduction: principles of palaeoecology.
Late-and postglacial palaecological patterns.
Fieldwork: coring and collection of samples.
Laboratory pretreatment of samples.
Keys and modern material.
Fossil materials.
Collation and presentation of data.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week (9 weeks) and 1 day field excursion; plus project presentation sessions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Laboratory/field book (30%); project based on group data and analysis, but written up independently by individual (60%); presentation of project data (10%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Ioris

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed either GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3537. This course will not be available in 2010/11.

Overview

This course focuses on rural land use policy and governance in Britain, within the broad theme of environment-society interaction and the spatial impact of public policy. State influence and intervention in matters relating to rural land use are examined in general terms and more especially in relation to individual sectors such as countryside recreation, forestry, agriculture and nature conservation. The changing role of the countryside and the evolution of rural land-use planning are reviewed, and issues such as national parks and afforestation are considered.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment: comprising either one project or one essay (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A M D Gemmell

Pre-requisites

This course is avilable only to students in programme year 4 who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504. Course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3532.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11.

Overview

Roles of geomorphology in planning and development; data collection, analysis and presentation of geomorphology information for non-specialist end-users; geomorphological techniques for resource evaluation, planning, construction and maintenance of communication routes; geomorphology and environmental protection; techniques for the evaluation and management of natural geomorphological phenomena, including geomorphological hazards; stategies for coping with geomorphological impacts of environmental change.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures (one per week for the first 10 weeks of the course) plus 4 hours of directed learning and/or a field day.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) including a question based entirely in the directed learning, plus in-course assessment (33%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available to Senior Honours students who have passed GG 3547.

Notes

This course is only available in special circumstances, please contact the Head of School.

Overview

Personal research supported by formal introduction to research methods (in associated course) and by regular supervision.

Structure

Required field work: discussion with supervisor (15 hours).

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%): submission of dissertation (including original work) on topic approved by Head of School.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B R Rea

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in year 4 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3544. This course will not be available in session 2010/11.

Overview

This course will include an introduction to the Quaternary and pre-Quaternary world, and will deal in detail with Quaternary Environments using a number of case studies: glacial; periglacial; sea level; hydrology; ocean-atmospheric circulation; Quaternary dating and environmental reconstruction. Data analysis and literature searching, evaluation and assessment.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/practical per week, 4 further hours of seminars/directed learning plus a 1 day field excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed MR 1510 and GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2010/11. This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3549.

Overview

Brief history of navigation and hydrography and the current significance; review of applications; the elements of hydrography; method of fixing position afloat; unelevated position fixing; processing of hydrographic data.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

TBC

Pre-requisites

Available to students in Programme Year 3 and above.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3550.

Overview

The aim of this course is to provide students with a broad knowledge of the concepts and practice relevant to the study of economic development and regeneration and prepare them for further research activity at the forefront of established thinking. It explores the challenges of achieving effective regeneration in the UK cities while also considering experiences in North American, European and Middle Eastern cities. It also provides an introduction to the issues involved in assessing the effectiveness of regeneration.

The course will enable an understanding of:

• Institutional and policy context for economic development and regeneration


• Partnerships structures and dynamics in regeneration


• Funding, finance and taxation in economic development and regeneration


• Regeneration strategies, project development and implementation


• Evaluation and monitoring in regeneration

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and coursework: essay or project (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Watts

Pre-requisites

GG 2004, or permission of Course Coordinator.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3551.

Overview

This course examines the production and consumption of different types of food at a range of scales using various geographical perspectives. Specific topics include: food sector governance: public policy and private regulation; developments in, and key debates on, the food 'system': eg, agro-industry vs post-productivism; agriculture and rural space(s): the changing rural economy; food processing and retailing: eg, globalisation and the rise of food multi-nationals, the impact of branding and advertising; the what, where and why of food consumption: eg, different spaces of food consumption (restaurant, café, home, etc), ethical foods, convenience foods, food and gender; new spatial patterns of food: eg, the impact of policies to stimulate farm diversification; short food supply chains and alternative food networks.

Structure

12 two-hour lecture/discussion classes, to include four hours dedicated to specialist topics for Level 4 students.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%); coursework: essay or project (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms Gill Wall

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2010/11. This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3554.

Overview

Intended for planners, surveyors and human geographers, this course supports the RTPI’s design-based learning outcome, focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of alternative design approaches in creating high quality public spaces. The course provides professional knowledge and academic skills in critical design appraisal to increase student employability in an area highlighted by the RTPI and the Government as suffering from major skills shortages.

• Introduction to design principles, policy, toolkits and practice. The costs of poor design and the value of maximising design quality.
• Principles of design – introduction to design, form and function, sustainable placemaking, space design and the public realm, appreciating and evaluating alternative approaches to design.
• Principles of development – the role of various actors in the development process, constraints, obstacles and feasibility.
• Role of design in development and planning processes – design control and quality, design policies, frameworks, guidelines, codes and statements, masterplans, charrettes, community participation in design. Evaluating alternative design approaches in the wider context.
• Case study seminars examining the relationship between design policies and design outcomes

Structure

10 x 2-hour lecture / workshop per week plus 2 x 2-hour seminars

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and coursework project: group presentation (20%) and individual report (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

At least one of GG 2003, GG 2004, GG 2504 or GG 2505, or permission of course coordinator.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3556.

Overview

This course will provide an introduction to the Geography of the Vine and Wine. It will include an examination of the historical aspects of geography and wine and the influence of climate and climate change, geology, and soils (terroir) on wine and viticulture (grape-growing). The impact of the wine industry on the cultural, historical, and environmental landscape will be also be considered. Students will develop an appreciation for the environmental constraints of vine growing together with the geographical characteristics of wines and wine regions. A study will be made of the wine industry, from vine to vineyard. This will include vineyard management to bottling, marketing and distribution. Finally, the application of remote sensing, digital mapping, GPS and GIS to vineyard management will also be studied, specifically focusing on the impact of geographical data and analysis on precision viticulture in vineyard management. Case studies will be drawn from around the world to illustrate various aspects of the module.

Structure

12 two-hour lecture/discussion classes (weekly) to include four hours dedicated to specialist topics for Level 4 students. GIS practical sessions will be arranged. Occasional guest speakers.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%); coursework (33%).

Resit: Not applicable.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Walton

Pre-requisites

GG 2004

Notes

No previous knowledge of law is necessary. This course will not be available in 2011/12 and in alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3557.

Overview

This course will cover:
The international, European and domestic institutional framework within which legal and other controls of the environment are devised for application within Scotland, the UK and elsewhere; the types of control available for the regulation of pollution; the control of pollution into water, air the ground; the concept of environmental justice, environmental wrongs and environmental crimes; the role of pollution control agencies and the courts in enforcing standards; the emerging role of self-regulation and economic regulation.

Structure

12 two-hour lecture/discussion classes (weekly) to include four hours dedicated to specialist topics for Level 4 students.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); coursework: individual project (33%).

Resit: Not applicable.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

TBC

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3559. This course is ONLY available to students who are in programme year 4 and are enrolled for a Rural Surveying OR Rural Surveying and Spatial Planning study aim.

Overview

This course focuses on practical aspects of rural Estate Management. It covers the business (financial appraisal), organisational aspects of rural land and property (tenancy arrangements, internal management structures, decision-making, setting aims/objectives), and management of specific estate activities (sporting and diversification). The course combines lectures and project work classes with half-day field visits to a number of rural estates.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture per week, 4 one-hour tutorials fortnightly with student presentations, required field work: practical exercises.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and coursework (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor W Neill

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 and above.

Overview

This course is concerned with the theoretical justifications for spatial planning and the normative possibilities and constraints on action forming the context of every day practice especially in a British context. An awareness of theoretical debates is crucial to understanding the assumptions implicit in spatial planning practice and the challenges confronting practitioners. Simply put , what guides to action are available to help planners in deciding how to act and in determining whether their actions have been appropriate ? This raises fundamental questions about the very nature of spatial planning and its relationship to politics and power. The course, therefore, addresses such questions as: what are the justifications for spatial planning and what goals should it have? What procedural theory should guide the work of practitioners? Whose interests does the spatial planning system serve? How do we judge what constitutes fairness? How do we conceive ethical action in spatial planning?

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 hours of directed reading/seminars. Particular emphasis is placed through interactive seminars with practitioners and local politicians on the conflicts and tensions faced by planning professionals in conducting their day-to-day work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr M Reed

Pre-requisites

None. Availability only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3562. This course will not be available in 2010/2011.

Overview

• Plant benefits: students explore the wide range of benefits humans derive from plants, including food, clothing, bioenergy, transport, medicine and spirituality, through lectures, a film and a landscape art workshop;


• Understanding plant-human interactions: human impacts on plant communities are investigated in the context of equilibrium, non-equilibrium and island biogeography ecological theory, through lectures, discussion and case studies from around the world;


• Rural planning and conservation for sustainable development: knowledge of theory and driving forces is applied to design rural planning and conservation to safeguard social and economic sustainability. The need for active participation by (often diverse) stakeholder groups in the design and management of conservation areas is emphasised. This is done through lectures, case studies, a role-play exercise, a moorland tour with farmer, gamekeeper and conservation representatives, and farm visits to local conventional and organic arable and livestock farms taking part in agri-environmental schemes.

Structure

1 two-hour seminar per week
Practicals: 1 two-hour (tree identification and ethnobotany)
Field trips:
Moorland tour and outdoor debate: 1 two-hour (+3 hours travel time)
Farm visits: 2 three-hours (+2 hours travel time)
Watching supplementary material on module podcast: 1 hour

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%):
a) One 1,500 word ethnobotany mini-website (37.5%)
b) 1 tree identification assessment (12.5%)
c) 1 conservation strategy: map and 2,500 word explanatory note including theoretical justification (50%)

Resit: Resubmission of assignment a) (focussing on a different species of the students' choice) and/or resit of assignment b) (re-set with different species) is possible. Normally, no resit of assignment c) will be possible, with the original mark to be carried forward.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4 with a School of Geosciences study aim. Students from other Schools may be admitted at the discretion of the Course Coordinator. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3563. This course will run in academic year 2010/11 and in alternate years thereafter.

Overview

The OilSim simulation software offers a novel and innovative way to provide the basis to combine theory with practice and draws upon many different subjects including geography, GIS/digital mapping, ecology, oil and gas exploration, the marine and coastal sciences, and business etc. The first part of the course will provide essential theoretical background to the subject matter including the OilSim software with guided practical 'dummy' sessions on the use of the software tools and techniques. The second part of the course will provide a group learning environment to apply the theory in a competitive problem-solving environment. The course/module will run for 12 weeks as a 24 hour module. The first 6 weeks will focus on learning the background and theory, together with familiarisation with the OilSim simulation software. The second 6 weeks will focus on running the simulation 'for real', culminating in completion of the simulation exercise.

Structure

6 two-hour lecture/practical and 6 two-hour computer laboratory sessions. In addition an occasional guest speaker (from ACC/Simprentis).

Assessment

1st Attempt: Course-work based assessment (100%) with no examination in the normal examination period. Written exercise based on the theory taught in the first half of the module (33%) plus 1 two-hour online simulation examination (where groups will be in competition) (67%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green and Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4 of the BSc MCRM.

Overview

A selection of the most important past, present and future coastal and marine issues facing society around the world will be explored by staff and students. Some typical examples might be: the impact of sea level rise and climate change on coastal communities around the world; coastal disasters such as hurricanes and tsunami on coastal settlements eg New Orleans, Indonesia; current technologies for monitoring, mapping and modelling the marine and coastal environment; renewable energies such as wind and wave power and their impact on the environment; the environmental impact of offshore gas and oil exploration activities and the development of future unmanned platforms; tools for the effective management of the coast, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP); implementing European legislation eg, the Water Framework Directive; the role of coastal forums in management of the UK coast; capacity building in ICZM; the sustainable coast; the role of European funding projects in the future of coastal management; implementing a spatial data infrastructure (SDI) for data collection and sharing; linking science and policy, etc. The course also explores how you can best make use of your degree in the 'real world' after graduation: workshops run in partnership with the University's Career Service provide practical advice and training on how best to develop your career.

Structure

Part A (25% of the total workload): four careers / employability workshops. Part B (75% of the total workload): introductory sessions and/or supporting web materials to guide independent study, plus 4 two-hour seminars with student presentations.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%):
Part A: portfolio of careers-related coursework
Part B: one seminar presentation (40%) plus three pieces of written work (60%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Walton

Pre-requisites

At least one of the following courses: LE 2530, GG 2004, GG 2504, MR 2505.

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 4. This course may not be taken as part of any graduating curriculum with GG 3565. The course will run in alternate years. This course will not be available in 2011/12.

Overview

This course is designed for students with an interest in how best to make use of land, water and cultural resources. It examines the science, ethics, economics, law and politics of land and marine management at a variety of geographic levels from the international down to the local, and draws heavily upon case studies from the USA, the UK and the rest of Europe. Potential examples include the protection and management of: Antarctica; fish stocks; areas of natural beauty; historical cities; and the peri-urban fringe from the threats posed by the likes of: mineral extraction; energy schemes; airport expansion; intensive farming practices; urban sprawl and tourism/leisure proposals.

Structure

The course will be taught through a mixture of lectures, discussions and seminars, supported by self directed learning. There will also be 2 one-day visits to local environmental 'hotspots' such as the Cairngorm Natonal Park and the Sands of Forvie / Menie Dunes.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (67%) (cast study: report and presentation) plus examination (33%).

Resit: Original coursework carried forward (67%) plus examination (33%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

GG 3031 or GG 3052 or GG 3063

Overview

Geographical Issues explores the frontiers of geographical knowledge as it examines some of the 'cutting edge' debates associated with:

Structure

Part A (25% of the total workload): four (?) careers / employability workshops. Part B (75% of the total workload): introductory sessions and/or supporting web materials to guide independent study, plus 4 two-hour seminars with student presentations.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%):
Part A: portfolio of careers-related coursework
Part B: one seminar presentation (40%) plus three pieces of written work (60%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Mighall

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2011/12. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3567.

Overview

The course will cover a series of themes which will be taught as principles and as integrated topics. Areas to be covered will include the chronological and climatic framework of the Quaternay, glacial and interglacial cycles, landforms and soils.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week; 2 field trips plus directed learning replace 4 hours of lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).