Course Coordinator:Javier Leon Patino (jleon@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Online |
Online | You can do this course without coming onto campus. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
Coastal geomorphology is the study of the shape, processes and evolution of coastal landforms. You will develop a practical understanding of coastal dynamics through a combination of theoretical conceptual models and fieldwork which examine the importance of coastal geomorphic forms and their management. The course examines the dynamics of the coastal zone, its physical workings and techniques to measure and monitor processes and change in the coastal environment; such as examining beach erosion and impacts of sea-level rise.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning materials | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous and scheduled face to face computer workshops | 2hrs | Week 2 | 9 times |
Seminar – Synchronous and scheduled face to face seminars | 1hr | Week 1 | 3 times |
Fieldwork – Synchronous face to face fieldwork | 4hrs | Week 4 | 2 times |
Online | |||
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning materials | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous and scheduled online computer workshops | 2hrs | Week 2 | 9 times |
Seminar – Synchronous and scheduled seminars | 1hr | Week 1 | 3 times |
Fieldwork – Virtual Fieldwork (attendance at the physical fieldwork is encouraged if possible) | 4hrs | Week 4 | 2 times |
Coastal processes
Coastal landforms
Coastal hazards
Coastal management
300 Level (Graduate)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Learning & Teaching Council | |
1 | Demonstrate and apply fundamental concepts of coastal geomorphology to different historical, local and global contexts | Knowledgeable |
1
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2 | Use measuring methods and tools to collect data about coastal geomorphic processes | Creative and critical thinker |
5
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3 | Interpret and analyse data to determine interactions between coastal geomorphic processes, and human infrastructure. | Sustainability-focussed |
3
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4 | Propose and justify evidence based and sustainable strategies to mitigate human damage to natural systems and these processes | Sustainability-focussed |
4, 5 |
5 | Search, select and analyse relevant academic information and communicate findings to different audiences. | Engaged |
5, 6 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Australian Learning & Teaching Council | |
1 | Knowing: Demonstrate a coherent geographical understanding of trends, processes and impacts that shape Australian and other environments and/or societies at different spatial and temporal scales. |
3 | Thinking: Apply geographical thought creatively, critically and appropriately to specific spaces, places and/or environments. |
4 | Thinking: Recognise, evaluate and synthesise various views, arguments and sources of knowledge pertinent to solving environmental and social problems. |
5 | Investigating and problem solving: Resolve geographical questions by ethical means, applying evidence-based knowledge and appropriate research techniques, including those associated with field work. |
6 | Communicating: Communicate geographical perspectives and knowledge effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means. |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Geomorphology; GIS and remote sensing
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
In week 3 the topic and outline of your literature review (Task 2) will be assessed (formative). In week 7 the topic and a draft research plan of your field report (Task 3) will be assessed (formative).
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 20% | 200-300 words each |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 2 | Essay | Individual | 30% | 2000 (+- 200) words |
Week 5 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 3a | Artefact - Creative | Group | 20% | 10 min per group |
Week 12 | In Class |
All | 3b | Report | Group | 30% | 2000 (+- 200) words |
Week 12 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All - Assessment Task 1:Computer workshop activities | ||||||||||
Goal: | To develop your theoretical and practical skills with tools used in coastal geomorphology. |
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Product: | Quiz/zes | |||||||||
Format: | During computer workshops you will be provided with reading material and exercises. At the end of the computer workshop you will complete the task and submit via Canvas. |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
All - Assessment Task 2:Literature Review Essay | ||||||||||||||||
Goal: | To identify and provide an overview of key concepts in coastal geomorphology. |
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Product: | Essay | |||||||||||||||
Format: | In Week 1 you will be given a list of key concepts in coastal geomorphology. You are to select one and focus on what has been written on the topic. The literature review should be of approximately 2000 words (+- 200 words) and based on appropriate scholarly sources. The structure of the report should follow a conventional scientific report template. |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Organisation |
All - Assessment Task 3a:Video report | ||||||||||||||||
Goal: | This task will develop your collaboration and analytic skills through group work that examines the ethical implications of different responses to a selected coastal issue |
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Product: | Artefact - Creative | |||||||||||||||
Format: | face-to-face presentations, zoom or pre-recorded |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration |
All - Assessment Task 3b:Field Activities Report | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Goal: | To present the methodology and results obtained from fieldwork, including the analysis and discussion of data/evidence collected and conclusions derived from the results |
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Product: | Report | |||||||||||||||||||||
Format: | A concise project report based on data collected by each group. The report should be around 2,000 (+- 200) words and written in the style of a manuscript for publication in the peer-reviewed literature, including a reference list, as well as tables and illustrations, as needed. |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
Recommended | Gerhard Masselink,Michael G. Hughes,Jasper Knight | 2014 | Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology | 2nd ed | Taylor and Francis |
Recommended | Kamphuis, J. William | 2019 | Introduction to coastal engineering and management | 3rd ed | S.l. : World Scientific Pub. |
Students are required to have access to a PC-based computer. Please also note that this course has COMPULSORY computer workshops and fieldwork sessions at local beaches. Final dates/locations will be provided on Canvas. These details are subject to change. Contact the Course Coordinator for further information. You are required to complete the online field work induction quiz and a field work participation form. This is a University Legal Requirement. Clothing suitable for the environment visited on field trips and laboratory must be worn. Further specific details will be provided on Canvas.
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
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For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
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