ENSC 311 - Geomorphology

Units: 3
Landforms as products of diastrophism, volcanism, and surficial processes; morphogenetic regions of the Earth and the effect of climate on the processes that shape them; rates and stages of landscape evolution and their dependence on time, process and structure.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: GEOL 211.
Prerequisites: GEOL 210.
Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Cross-listed: GEOL 311.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Describe and classify landforms in a variety of environmental settings. Understand major scientific ideas and theories about the development of the landscape.
Critically analyze geomorphological issues in a scientific context at local, regional and global scales.
Apply the major concepts and skills learned in introductory classes such as Physical Geology to complex problems found in geomorphic studies.
Understand the conceptual models of landscape equilibrium and apply them to Earth science problems in a wide variety of settings and at a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.
Understand systems theory as applied to geomorphology, specifically with regard to the concepts of feedback, thresholds, and equilibrium.
Analyze geomorphological systems in terms of resisting and driving forces
Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, Google Earth and other quantitative techniques to analyze landforms and processes of land formation.
Synthesize, communicate and critique scientific findings by orally presenting articles from peer-reviewed publications.