Main Field of Study and progress level:
Earth Science/Physical Geography: First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Ecology and Environmental Science
Established by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2022-01-28
Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2024-11-17
Contents
The course covers geoscientific processes that can give rise to natural disasters or disaster-like situations for humans. The focus is on explaining the origins, occurrences, and consequences of these processes. The processes covered include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, mass movements, climatology, and hydrology. The course aims to provide an understanding of why certain processes occur in different parts of the world and lead to various consequences depending on their occurrence and interaction with the surrounding society.
The course begins with a geoscientific overview, including a discussion of the concepts of natural disasters and natural hazards. The structure of the Earth is explained, and an introduction to plate tectonic processes is provided. This is followed by a discussion on the origins and occurrences of earthquakes. Further, volcanology is covered, describing volcanic processes, types of volcanoes, and their consequences. Mass movements or slope processes are another geoscientific process that can have both large- and small-scale consequences. The most common types of mass movements and their connections to phenomena such as volcanism, precipitation, earthquakes, etc., are described here. The climatology section begins with a general orientation about the world's climate. It exemplifies global geographical differences regarding temperature and precipitation. Different types of weather phenomena are also described. An introduction to long-term climate changes, including the geologic perspective of extinction events follows. Other topics include forest fires, coastal erosion, and flooding.
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course, for the grade of Pass, the student shall be able to: ELO 1. describe and explain the geoscientific processes addressed in the course, including plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, mass movements, climatology, and hydrology with regard to their origin, occurrence and consequences. ELO 2. develop knowledge on geoscientific processes both geographically and in relation to the consequences for humans and society that may arise. ELO 3. gather, summarize, and present both orally and in writing, current scientific material regarding the management of consequences related to the geoscientific processes mentioned above.
Required Knowledge
General entry requirements and English 6
Form of instruction
The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, exercises and a project work. Exercises and project work are mandatory.
Examination modes
The examination consists of written exams, as well as oral and written presentations of the project work. For a written exam and the entire course, the grades Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG) are awarded. For project work, the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) are given. Those who have passed an exam are not allowed to retake it for a higher grade. To pass the entire course, all exams and mandatory components must be approved. The course grade is a summary assessment of the results from the various parts of the examination and is awarded only when all mandatory components are approved.A student who has passed two examinations for a course or part of a course without the approved result is entitled to have another examiner appointed unless special reasons speak against it (HF 6 chapter22§). The request for a new examiner is made to the Head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science.
Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.
Crediting
Students have the right to have their previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession tested whether it can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Credit application is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. For more information on credit transfer available on Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal of accreditation may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole as well as part of the application if accreditation is refused.
Other regulations
In the event that the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus that the student was originally registered on for a period of a maximum of two years from the time that the previous syllabus ceased to apply or that the course ended.
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
