Physical geography

Teacher(s)

Vanacker Veerle;

Language

French

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.

Learning outcomes

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 introduce the major physical environments such as rivers, glaciers, deserts  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.

Teaching methods

There are 9 lectures, 1 fieldwork and 10 sessions of practical work

Evaluation methods

Written exam, course work counts for a third of the final grade

Online resources

All slides and guidelines for the practical work are available on Moodle

Bibliography

Joseph Holden (ed) 2008 An Introduction to physical geography and the environment. Second edition. Pearson Prentice Hall  Ressources web du livre: www.pearsoned.co.uk/holden
Frank Ahnert 1998. An introduction to geomorphology. Arnold Publishers, London. ISBN 0 340 69259
Richard Huggett 2003. Fundamentals of Geomorphology. Routledge Fundamentals of physical geography.

Teaching materials

• matériel sur moodle

Faculty or entity

> GEOG