Physical geography

lgeo1231  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Physical geography
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
30.0 h + 30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
van Wesemael Bas;
Language
French
Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
This course introduces the process, materials and landforms of the main geomorphic systems. First, the exogenous process and their relative intensities will be reviewed for different climatic zones. Then the production of soil and unconsolidated materials through weathering will be discussed and finally, the main geomorphic systems will be reviewed such as hillslopes, rivers, glaciers and coasts.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 This course introduces the concepts of geomorphology i.e. the interaction between processes, materials and land forms. At the end of the course students should be able to: Describe the most important interactions between process, materials and land forms within the main geomorphic systems (hillslopes, rivers, glaciers and coasts) Interpret the morphology and the dominant processes in a given landscape using topographic maps and aerial photographs Represent the spatial variation in soil characteristics of a hillslope and its impacts on the infiltration rates based on the interpretation of data collected in the field.
 
Content
This is an introductory course in geomorphology, one of the main disciplines in physical geography. The lectures describe the interactions between processes, materials and landforms, while the main geomorphic systems will be introduced i.e. hillslopes, rivers, glaciers and coasts. Practical work focuses on interpretation of landscape forms and dominant processes from topographical maps and aerial photographs ass well as field data collection and analysis.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Written exam, course work counts for a third of the final grade
Online resources
moodle
Bibliography
  • Joseph Holden (ed) 2008 An Introduction to physical geography and the environment. Second edition. Pearson Prentice Hall ISBN 978 0 13 175304 4. Ressources web du livre: www.pearsoned.co.uk/holden
  • Frank Ahnert 1998. An introduction to geomorphology. Arnold Publishers, London. ISBN 0 340 69259
  • 'Fundamentals of the Physical Environment' D. Briggs et al. Two copies are available in the library (BSE).
Teaching materials
  • matériel sur moodle
Faculty or entity
GEOG


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Minor in Scientific Culture

Minor in Geography

Bachelor in Geography : General

Master [120] in History of Art and Archaeology : General