GY 363: Geomorphology

Lisa Davis
,
ldavis3@bama.ua.edu

University of Alabama
a
University with graduate programs, including doctoral programs
.

Summary

The course examines the major natural systems that create landscapes, with particular focus on the processes involved in landform development.

Course URL:
Course Size:

15-30

Course Context:

This is a 300-level, lecture-based course that can be taken for credit hours in the following majors: geography, environmental science, and geology majors. The class does not have a separate lab component, but does include several weekly in-class activities that form a substantial portion of the course credit and one Saturday field trip. The class is cross-listed in the core curriculum for Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science but often attracts students from Environmental Engineering and Aquatic Biology.

Course Goals:

At the conclusion of this course, students will: (1) understand how different processes and landforms are involved in landscape development and change through time and space;(2) understand the ways that the scientific method is applied in geomorphic research; and (3) critically analyze information through practice analyzing geomorphic problems beyond basic facts and through identifying connections between geomorphic processes, other natural processes, and human activities.


How course activities and course structure help students achieve these goals:

The course has 6 in-class and take-home activities and a field trip based on the stated goals.

Skills Goals

At the end of the course, students will be able to use technical writing and field-based techniques, necessary to conduct basic geomorphic investigations.


How course activities and course structure help students achieve these goals:

The course has several in-class and take home assignments provide practice and experience with skills relevant to the stated skill goals.

Assessment

Ability to complete in-class and take-home assignments, exam questions aligned with learning goals, and class/instructor evaluations.

Syllabus:

Syllabus (Acrobat (PDF) 108kB May5 08)