2010 Course Handbook
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ENVE380: Coastal and Marine Biophysical Modelling
This unit is structured around two modules that develop the interaction between field based and modelling studies in coastal and marine biophysical environments. The unit is based on lectures, a multi-day field trip and computer based practicals. Simple modelling techniques are presented as an introduction to using models as tools for understanding biophysical processes and their interaction. The unit is designed for students majoring in the earth, environmental and biological sciences. In the Coastal Module, large scale coastal behaviour and coastal and estuarine evolution are examined on timescales ranging from decades to millennia. The coastal responses to climate variability, extreme events and climate change are a particular focus. Models are used to investigate the role of sediment supply, wave-climate and sea-level changes, and estuarine hydrography in coastal evolution. The Biophysical or Ecomechanics Module investigates the physical and chemical processes (such as temperature and pH) that play a major role in determining the fundamental boundaries within which marine organisms can live, and are therefore important drivers of their ecology. This module examines the mechanics of different species using established theory, predicts where these species may be found in the real world, and then tests these predictions in the field using ecological surveys.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| Contact Hours: | 3 |
| When Offered: | D2 - Day; Offered in the second half-year (Session Dates: 18-25 September (F)) |
| Staff Contact(s): | Associate Professor Ian Goodwin, Dr Josh Madin |
| Prerequisites: |
ENVE266 or MAR201 or BIOL227, or permission of the Executive Dean of Faculty |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCW(s): | |
| Unit Designation(s): | |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Department of Environment and Geography |
Timetable Information
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