Overview

This topic provides an overview of Australian and international coastal environments. The formation, ecology, geomorphology, dynamics and evolution of the major coastal landforms including surfzones, beaches, coastal barriers, dunes, deltas, estuaries and rocky coasts will be examined. Students will also explore some practical coastal management methods and processes.

Topic availabilities

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Tuition pattern

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Aims

This topic aims for students to:

  • Understand the variation of coastal environments in the world, and particularly Australia, and the major driving factors creating those environments - waves, tides and winds
  • Develop a deeper understanding of coastal ecology and morphodynamics, and in particular, the evolution and ecology of coastal landforms
  • Understand the eco-geomorphological dynamics of coastal systems
  • Explore Quaternary climates, sea level change, and coastal barrier dynamics and histories
  • Relate this knowledge to the better management of coastal environments

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Identify the main factors that produce the global variation in coastal types
2.
Understand the dynamics operating to produce the major coastal landforms (e.g. cliffs, estuaries, beaches, dunefields, barrier systems), and the initiation, evolution, ecology and geomorphology of the landforms
3.
Understand how Quaternary climate and sea level changes operate to drive large scale coastal change

Assessments

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Current students should refer to FLO for detailed assessment information, including due dates. Assessment information is accurate at the time of publishing.

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Requisites information

Anti-requisites: