Module Outline (Lecture Themes)
Lecture themes:

Topic

• Introduction. Inheritance. Sea Level change.

• Waves. Wave currents.

• Tide raising forces. Tidal systems.

• Sediment characteristics. Sediment movement.

• Depositional features. Minor forms. Shoreline beaches. Detached beaches.

• Erosional features. Cliffs. Shore platforms.

• Estuaries. Tidal landforms. Marshes.

• Aeolian processes and forms. Vegetated dunes.

• Direct observation of coastal process and form. Historical reconstruction of coastal form.

• Coastal Engineering. Introduction to Coastal Management.

• HALF-DAY FIELD VISIT. The Aberystwyth beaches and coastal forms. Historical aspects of management.

Module Aims
This largely lecture-based module aims to introduce the physical processes operating at the coast and the range of landforms that result. Lectures are initially focussed on basic inputs, but continue by dealing with the various types of depositional and erosional features to be found in coastal and estuarine environments. Issues of quantitative assessment and management are then considered, culminating in a field day in the Aberystwyth area.

Module objectives / Learning outcomes
By the completion of this module it is expected that students will have a sound knowledge of the fundamental energy inputs to coastal processes and an appreciation of how these find expression through the diversity of landforms to be found around the British coastline.