Geomorphology

Benjamin Crosby

Idaho State University
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University with graduate programs, including doctoral programs

Summary

Course introduces surface processes to students through process-based lectures and discussion, laboratories and field excursions. Course covers fluvial, hillslope and glacial processes as well as interactions between physical and biological systems.

Course URL:
Course Size:

15-30

Course Context:

Upper division, mixed undergrad/grad course with prerequisites of Earth Materials and a Quaternary/Intro Geomorphology course. The course has a required 3 hour lab with an emphasis on quantitative tools including GIS, modeling and image interpretation. There are also 2+ required field trips.

Course Goals:

Students should be able to identify the dominant process shaping a particular landscape.
Students should be able to measure and analyze standard hydraulic parameters.
Students should be able to predict hillslope stability and identify what mechanisms triggered an existing failure.
Students should be able to identify glacial features in the landscape and assess the relative role of glacial erosion in sediment production and landscape evolution.

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

Course goals are achieved through laboratory exercises and field exercises that incrementally build student's strengths in each focus. Assessment is done through both short exercises, class presentations and long-format scientific reports.