GEOGRAPHY

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr C Gibbins

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

The course will introduce students to a geographical perspective on key global issues such as sustainable development, climate change natural hazards, poverty and uneven development and geopolitical instability. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of different approaches to the study of problems and areas and will include workshops to enable greater student involvement in the exploration of themes within the course.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week, plus a 1 hour workshop per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%). Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr A M D Gemmell

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

The course will give students an introduction to principles and methodologies in Human and Physical Geography, using the theme of ‘Scotland in Transition’ as the focus. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of different approaches to the study of an area, and will include a workshop approach to enable greater student involvement in the exploration of the themes within the course. The course will be delivered in 3 blocks on the themes of ‘The Environment in Transition’, ‘Society in Transition’ and ‘Geography in Transition (alternate views of the Geography of Scotland’).

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week and 1 one-hour workshop per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%). Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D.W.F. Mair

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above who have passed GG 1005 or GG 1506.

Overview

Systems theory in relation to the environment and to the concept of energy transfer in the environment. Climatic, geomorphic, hydrological and ecological systems are considered in relations to these underlying themes. Environmental change is considered at the end of the course as an integrating concept.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week. 5 two-hour workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%). Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Danny MacKinnon

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above who have passed GG 1005 or GG 1506.

Overview

The origins and development of human geography and of changing geographical perspectives; the world space economy; place and identity, and changing landscapes of power.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week. 5 two-hour workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%). Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A S Mather

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above who have passed GG 1005 or GG 1506.

Overview

Development of human societies: cultural evolution and environmental perception; the natural resource base for human development and the changing nature of resource use. Contemporary global environmental issues; climate change, pollution, biodiversity, water resource impacts, desertification. Alternative world views on human/environment relationship; aspects and interpretations of sustainable development; policy approaches to environmental management.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week. 5 two-hour workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%). Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr L McLean

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 2 or above.

Overview

As much as 80% of the information used in decision-making has a geo-based context. Knowledge and understanding of this basic resource can radically improve the effectiveness of every manager, and especially those concerned with Earth recourses and environment. In support of this need the course covers the following: measurement, recording and manipulation of ground-surveyed and remotely-sensed data; approaches to environmental monitoring based on multi-temporal images and/or maps; the storage, manipulation and timely provision of geographical information; methods of analysing and presenting the results through GIS and Geovisualisation. The technical basis will form the foundations of the course, with greater emphasis placed on applications of GI through continuous reference to case-studies at a range of scales (from local to global) both in lectures and practical projects (including preparation of effective maps using appropriate technologies.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture per week and 6 two-hour practicals.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%). Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr T Mighall

Pre-requisites

GG 2003 or GG 2004

Co-requisites

GG 2504 or GG 2505

Overview

The course introduces key geographical and related research skills and contains both classroom, web and field based components. Students receive instruction on conducting geographical investigations effectively and safely. Topics considered include concepts underpinning geographical research, and basic data gathering, presentation and analysis methods (such as questionnaire design, river-flow gauging, simple quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, basic laboratory skills, report writing, effective map production and oral presentation).An important element of the course is a four day residential field course which enables students to employ the skills learnt in lectures and tutorial sessions.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures and the equivalent of one 1 hour tutorial per week, plus a four-day residential field course over the Easter vacation. The field course involves a student contribution not exceeding £50.

Assessment

1st Attempt: in-course assessment (100%). There will be three separate equally weighted elements, including a field course report. A student MUST achieve a PASS in EACH element to be awarded an overall PASS for the course.

Resit: NO resit possible

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor C Soulsby

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07.
This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4026

Overview

Hydrological processes operating in the natural environment will be examined, monitoring techniques will be considered and basic approaches to the analysis and modelling of hydrological data will be described. An introduction to the various types of river and wetland environments will also be given and the ways in which hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes interact to sustain these environments will be examined. After this general introduction, the course will examine and highlight the importance of hydrology in understanding and responding to a range of problems in environmental management. These will include issues of water supply, flood management, water pollution and wetland conservation.

Structure

1 two hour lecture per week

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4027

Overview

This course aims to provide an introduction to the theory, practice and applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Topics covered include: what is a GIS?; GIS education, training and short courses; an historical overview of the development and evolution of GIS; what is spatial data?; GIS as a toolbox; GIS hardware requirements; small, medium and large GIS software systems; data sources, capture, input and storage; output from a GIS; the Human Computer Interface (HCI); the integrated image-based GIS; multimedia GIS; Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs);important new areas of development in GIS Technology e.g. cartography, expert systems, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS); and coverage of a wide range of GIS applications. Theoretical concepts of GIS are reinforced with the aid of a GIS tutor and demonstrations of GIS software. Limited ‘hands-on’ experience is provided with the IDRISI software package.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment: project (33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A S Mather

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4028.

Overview

This course focuses on the nature, condition and perception of natural resources at the beginning of the 21st century. Trends in major resource sectors (such as forests, agricultural land, energy and minerals) are considered against the background of the debate on adequacy and scarcity and of the evolution of the concept of sustainable development. The significance of the structural and institutional framework of resource management is examined, and recent trends and tendencies in it are reviewed. This course is set at the global level, with examples and case studies drawn as appropriate from national scales.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C Hunter

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4029

Overview

The nature and magnitude of global tourism activity; tourism’s impacts on the natural, built and cultural environments; the need for principles and policies of sustainable tourism; theoretical requirements of sustainable tourism in the context of competing interpretations of sustainable development; barriers to the implementation of sustainable tourism policy; a critique of new forms of ‘alternative’ tourism; management approaches and techniques for the implementation of sustainable tourism; case studies (e.g. ecotourism in Scotland).

Structure

Self-directed learning and 3 one-hour supporting seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D MacKinnon

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above and who have passed GG 2004.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/2008. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4030

Overview

The course is concerned with the changing political geographies of Europe since the 1960s. It begins by reviewing the recent history of political geography before focusing on global geopolitics and the political geography of European integration. The focus then moves to the national scale with material on nations and nationalism followed by an extended discussion of the ‘crisis’ of the nation state, and state responses to this through the devolution of functions to regional institutions. The course then discusses the politics of local economic development before concluding by identifying some important issues for future research.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/2008. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4031.

Overview

The course establishes the nature of the main coastal, nearshore and estuarine processes and enables an appreciation of the characteristics and the evolution of most types of coastlines. Geomorphological knowledge is applied to a range of coastal-zone management problems, including coast protection works, nature conservation, beach and dune recreational pressures, and the establishment of sediment budgets. By the end of the course, students will have gained an understanding of the synergies of the main process factors in operation, including anthropic intervention. The main aim of the course is to increase appreciation of the physical and biological factors involved in the rational management of coastal environments. Students will achieve an awareness of the journal literature pertinent to the subject matter, and an appreciation of current gaps in our knowledge. By the end of the course they should be able to generate ideas for research strategies that could help to fill them.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/2008. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4032.

Overview

The course will cover a series of themes which will be taught as principles and as integrated topics. Areas to be covered will include the chronological and climatic framework of the Quaternay, glacial and interglacial cycles, landforms and soils.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week; 1 field trip replaces a 2 hour class.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J H Farrington

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4016

Overview

Economic and physical characteristics of transport systems. Development of Britain’s transport systems. Transport Policy: control and deregulation. Rural and urban transport problems. Transport and environmental impacts.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr R Wright

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4018

Overview

Environmental Remote Sensing covers a range of techniques for acquiring Images of the Earth’s surface, from aircraft and satellites, and the application to environmental issues and problems. The main themes of the course are:

1. The physical basis: electromagnetic energy and spectral regions; the role
   of the atmosphere; aspects of energy/surface interactions; spectral response of Earth surface features.


2. Acquisition and processing (converting data into information): airborne and satellite platforms for sensors; methods of image processing and analysis (visual and digital).


3. Application to study of the Earth’s environment: the value of information derived from remote sensing is considered at a range of scales, form local to global (including map making, land-use/cover change, deforestation, drought early warning, crop yield forecasting, natural hazards and environmental management).

Structure

1 two hour lecture per week

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2507 and at least three from GG 2003, GG 2004, GG 2504, GG 2505.

Overview

The course is designed to introduce students to key debates, both past and present, on the nature and scope of academic geography. As such, it provides essential background for study of geography at an advanced level, irrespective of any intended specialisation. Wherever possible, parallels are drawn between the physical, environmental and human branches of the subject, although the reality (or otherwise) of geography as a single, coherent discipline is also put under scrutiny. Students are encouraged to take a critical stance towards the various claims made for and against the different types of geography, and the notion of geography as a 'contested enterprise' forms a major theme of the course.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 two-hour tutorials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (50%) and 1 two-hour examination (50%).

Resit: Resit arrangements are identical to 1st Attempt.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D W F Mair

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4033.

Overview

1. Glacial processes and landforms. Topics include glacier mass balance, motion,
   hydrology, erosion and deposition processes, erosional and depositional landforms.


2. Glaciers and climate. Topics include measuring and modelling glacial processes,
   climatic interpretation of landform assemblages and ice cores, ice-climate
   interactions, case studies of contemporary ice sheets.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course work (33%): two data response exercises.

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C N Gibbins

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4037. This course will run in 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter.

Overview

The course is structured as follows:

Part I. Basic principles: (i) Disturbance, continuum and hierarchical theory, (ii) The physical habitat template of rivers, (iii) River ecosystem diversity and function.

Part II. Human impacts: (i) River regulation, (ii) Pollution, (iii) Landuse change (iii) Climate change.

Part III. River restoration and management: (i) Development of environmental flows, (ii) River restoration.

The course will close with a summary and synthesis lecture. This will illustrate how concepts, themes and approaches covered in individual lectures for part of current EU river management policy and legislation.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus continuous assessment mark carried forward from 1st attempt (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Scott

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4039. This course will run in 2006/07 and alternate years thereafter.

Overview

Sources of policy (the EU; Westminster; Scotland; local authorities); agricultural policy; forestry policy; environmental policy; land use planning policy.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr W Walton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4040. This course will only be offered in alternate years.

Overview

The relevance to planning practice of: competing theories of knowledge (eg logical positivism, structuralism); competing theories of the state (eg Marxist, free market); and competing ethical theories (eg deontological, teleoligcal).

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr W Walton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4041. This course will only be offered in alternate years.

Overview

Data sources; population and household forecasts; housing and employment land forecasts; transport forecasts; environmental appraisal; retail and employment impact studies; transport assessments; environmental auditing; planning and environmental indicators; ecological footprinting).

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week (to be arranged).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B Tress

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed LE 2030 / LE 2530 and LE 2528.

Notes

The course will run in session 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4042.

Overview

Concept of 'landscape' and how it operates, theoretical aspects of nature-culture interaction, landscape as a system, holism, complexity, island theory, interdisciplinarity. Recent developments in landscape perception, landscape design, landscape conservation and restoration, landscape evaluation and assessment. Application for urban park management, national park management, greenways, biotope networks, transdisciplinary projects.

Structure

The course will be offered as a web-based and self-directed learning course using the university's WebCT technology. The course on level 3 includes 20 theme modules that are presented online to the students. Web-based modules are complemented by 2-hour seminars every second week that are used to discuss the theme modules and address student questions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment / course work (100%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Ms S Heard

Pre-requisites

Available only to students on BSc MCRM Programme in Year 3 or above.

Overview

The course will provide students with experience of project planning and the opportunity to apply and integrate skills learned in other related courses to a case study based on a current marine environmental issue.

Personal and group research supported by formal introduction to project planning methods.

Structure

Series of lectures, seminars and field visits. Length and type of teaching contact hours will vary from week to week and with project from year to year.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour resit examination (67%) plus original continuous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above. This course runs in alternate years. First offered in 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4044.

Overview

This course is taught through a series of seminars and directed reading. It aims to familiarise students with the resource base conflicts arising around coastal areas and to introduce the mechanisms (legal, policy and economic) available to resolve them. Topics considered include the role of the European Union; bathing water quality; the management of ports; the role of various regulatory bodies; approaches to coastal zone management in the USA and Australia, and design in the coastal zone.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour resit examination (67%) plus original continous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Scott

Pre-requisites

At least one of the following courses: LE 2530, LE 2531; GG 2004; GG 2504; MR 2006.

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 3. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4046. The course will run in alternate years. This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

Theory of designations in UK, European and International contexts
Science of designations
Politics and governance of designations
Designation as planning tools
Designations as social, cultural, economic and environmental tools
Impact of designations on people and place
Do designations work
Alternative models to designation

Structure

Teaching will be in 2 hour blocks using interactive class discussions/lecture format. Seminars will allow students to critically discuss research papers and reports and prepare for the fieldwork weekend. A weekend during the semester will involve all students goind to Cairngorm national park or Loch Lomond National Park to assess the theory and practice of designations at first hand.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment / coursework (67%) (project report (42%); oral (25%)), examination (33%).

Resit: The presentation component will not form part of the resit; project report (42%) and examination components (33%) will be available to students.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4048. This course will be available in 2007/08. This course will only be offered in alternate years.

Overview

This course considers a variety of socio-economic issues associated with the countryside at local, national and European scales, including rural economic restructuring, demographic change, social inclusion, rural transport and accessibility, rural lifestyles and rural housing. The reform of rural policy, new strategies for rural development and governance and rural conflicts are reviewed and critically evaluated. Future directions for rural communities are discussed.

Structure

16 one-hour lectures and 2 one-hour seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%), 1 two thousand word essay (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Loder

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above who have passed LE 1508.

Notes

This course will run in 2006/07 and alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4049.

Overview

This course provides students with an introduction to the concept of value, the measurement of value and methods of valuation. Principles of valuation are explained using examples from both land and coastal economy. Topics covered can include: the coastal property market; determinants of rental, capital and site value; cost of capital, equated yields and growth; extensions and renewal of leases; development and valuation of harbours, marinas and coastal areas including consideration of specific marine constraints and benefits.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures and 1 one-hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour resit examination (67%) plus original continuous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr R Wright

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4532.

Overview

Need for control surveys; high accuracy methods of traversing and triangulation; use of electronic distance measurement (EDM); basics of survey adjustment procedures; global positioning systems (GPS); field course to carry out a project based on techniques covered in first half of course.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week for 6 weeks and one field course.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%) and in-course assessment: 1 project and 1 practical exercise (50%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (50%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (50%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A M D Gemmell

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003.

Co-requisites

GG 3528

Overview

This course centres on a field trip to a foreign alpine area. General material covers climate, ecology (spatial and temporal influences on floral and faunal habitats), geomorphology (including tectonics, glaciers and slope failure), hydrology (runoff processes, sediment transport and channel stability) and resource and engineering issues. The interaction of these to create the unique character of the alpine landscape. This project accounts for the majority of time spent in the field (three full days). The subsequent report forms a major part of the course assessment.

Structure

12 hours of preparatory lectures/project planning sessions, plus one week field trip.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Project report (60%), field notebook (20%), field presentation (10%) and exam (10%). Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 3031.

Overview

The course prepares students for undertaking research projects (including dissertations) by providing engagement with issues of research philosophy and design, literature searching, and the selection and the competent and critical use of appropriate observational and analytical techniques and tools. It is organised in three main sections:
Part A Philosophy of research techniques
Part B Literature search and review
Part C Geographical research techniques

• Quantitative methods


• Qualitative methods


• Social survey and interviewing


• Field and laboratory techniques


• Preparation and planning of a research project.

Structure

12 lectures supported with practical workshops.

Assessment

1st Attempt: in-course assessment (100%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J F Loder

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003 or GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Co-requisites

GG 3528

Overview

Mediterranean environment, peasant societies and agrarian structure; effects of mass tourism, demography and migration; insularity and peripherality; historical geography and landscape evolution.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture per fortnight and fieldwork.

Assessment

1st Attempt: in-course assessment: on site presentations and field report (100%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Alastair MD Gemmell

Pre-requisites

This course is avilable only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504. Course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4530.

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

Roles of geomorphology in planning and development; data collection, analysis and presentation of geomorphological information for non-specialist end-users; geomorphological techniques for resource evaluation, planning, construction and maintenance of communication routes; geomorphology and environmental protection; techniques for the evaluation and management of natural geomorphological phenomena, including geomorphological hazards; stategies for coping with geomorphological impacts of environmental change.

Structure

10 2-hour lectures(one per week for the first 10 weeks of the course) plus a field day.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 2-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment (33%)

Resit: 1 2-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment mark carried forward from 1st attempt (33%)

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed either GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4502

Overview

Course begins with discussion of the evidence which may be recovered by the application of the techniques available to the prehistoric geographer for assessing modus vivendi. The main corpus is an outline of Scottish prehistory and early historic archaeology, in which emphasis is placed on geographical phenomena - settlement, environmental impact, trade and the nature of society. Where necessary, material will be introduced from furth of Scotland e.g. the Irish connection.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week and/or field excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment: project (33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 3026.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4519

Overview

Introduction: principles of palaeoecology.
Late-and postglacial palaecological patterns.
Fieldwork: coring and collection of samples.
Laboratory pretreatment of samples.
Keys and modern material.
Fossil materials.
Collation and presentation of data.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week (9 weeks) and 1 day field excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Laboratory/field book (30%); project based on group data and analysis, but written up independently by individual (70%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A S Mather

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed either GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4520

Overview

This course focuses on rural land use policy and governance in Britain, within the broad theme of environment-society interaction and the spatial impact of public policy. State influence and intervention in matters relating to rural land use are examined in general terms and more especially in relation to individual sectors such as countryside recreation, forestry, agriculture and nature conservation. The changing role of the countryside and the evolution of rural land-use planning are reviewed, and issues such as national parks and afforestation are considered.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J Loder

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above who have passed GG 2003, GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4525

Overview

Current issues/events in the tropical world will be examined in a global context to explore their geographical basis and their relationship to long-term and recent human activity and/or physical processes. The examples will be developed from across the tropical world and will involve physical (e.g. El Niño) economic (e.g. innovation & globalisation, political impact of imperialisms, geostrategic issues), and social geography (issues of land tenure and reform).

Structure

1 two-hour lectures/seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment – one report (33%).

Resit: Resit exam - 1 two-hour written exam (67%) PLUS original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Malcolm Hole/Susan E Heard

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG2504 and GL 1503. Course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4526 in Geography.

Notes

Cannot be taken with GL 459V

Overview

Knowledge of the physical behaviour of, and interactions between, magmas in the uppermost crust, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Roles of vulcanology in human society, culture and economics: research and data collection; analysis and evaluation of data, report writing. Management of volcanic hazards.

Structure

10 2-hour lectures (one 2 hour session per week for the first 10 weeks of the course) plus a field day.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination(67%), plus in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%), plus in-course assessment mark carried forward from 1st attempt (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B R Rea

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in year 3 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4544. This course will run in 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter.

Overview

This course will include an introduction to the Quaternary and pre-Quaternary world, and will deal in detail with Quaternary Environments using a number of case studies: glacial; periglacial; sea level; hydrology; ocean-atmospheric circulation; Quaternary dating and environmental reconstruction. Data analysis and literature searching, evaluation and assessment.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/practical per week. Plus a 1 day field excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: A two-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: A two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS in-course assessment mark carried forward from first attempt (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr W Walton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed GG 3041.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4545. This course will only be offered in alternate years.

Overview

Within this course students will: identify, assemble, interrogate and manipulate relevant socio-economic and enviromental data; produce future projections for matters such as population and economic activity in order to valculate the likely demands for new housing and commercial development; evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternative planning and development scenarios; devise an appropriate development strategy for one of the transport corridors within the Aberdeen hinterland; and prepare a site specific land use development plan for one of the settlements within that transportation corridor.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/practical workshop each week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-hour written examination (33%); continual assessment (67%).

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr G Tress

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed GG 3042.

Notes

This course will run in session 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum and GG 4546.

Overview

Concept of strategic planning; principles of future studies; methods and tools of strategic planning; scenario approaches; integrative approaches; landscape planning concepts; strategic planning steps; complexity of landscape management; policies on landscape development.

Structure

The course will be offered as a web-based and self-directed learning course using the university's WebCT technology. The course on level 3 includes 10 theme modules that are presented online to the students. Web-based modules are complemented by 2-hour seminars every second week that are used to discuss the theme modules and address student questions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment / coursework (100%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Overview

The role of the law in managing the countryside; the institutional framework; the law relating to game and fishing; the agricultural holdings legislation; forestry law; nature conservation law; the law relating to access to the countryside.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, 4 one-hour tutorials fortnightly, required field work: practical exercises.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination paper (100%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination paper (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed MR 1510 and GG 2505.

Notes

1) This course will not be available in session 2006/07. It will run in alternate years thereafter.
2) This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 4549.

Overview

Brief history of navigation and hydrography and the current significance; review of applications; the elements of hydrography; method of fixing position afloat; unelevated position fixing; processing of hydrographic data.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 who have passed GG 2003 or GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Co-requisites

GG 3528

Overview

Students will gain first-hand experience of a range of issues in the American West via lectures, guided site visits and group project work, and students will receive lectures from academics and practitioners on relevant topics whilst in the United States. Issues covered by guided tour include water use and regulation, rangeland and forest management issues, American Indian affairs and urban and rural planning. Students will be expected to formulat and execute their own project ideas based on work undertaken in the preparatory sessions and direct field experience.

Structure

4 preparatory sessions in the UK before departure; guided lectures and site visits in the United States; self-guided study (reading, project planning and execution).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 field notebook (20%); oral presentation of group project plans (10%) and outcomes (30%); and 1,000 word individual essay (40%).

Resit: No resit possible.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J H Farrington

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3028

Overview

Economic and physical characteristics of transport systems. Development of Britain’s transport systems. Transport Policy: control and deregulation. Sustainable transport. Rural and urban transport problems. Transport and environmental impacts.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr R Wright

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3029

Overview

Environmental Remote Sensing covers a range of techniques for acquiring Images of the Earth’s surface, from aircraft and satellites, and the application to environmental issues and problems. The main themes of the course are:

1. The physical basis: electromagnetic energy and spectral regions; the role
   of the atmosphere; aspects of energy/surface interactions; spectral response
   of Earth surface features.


2. Acquisition and processing (converting data into information): airborne
   and satellite platforms for sensors; methods of image processing and analysis
   (visual and digital).


3. Application to study of the Earth’s environment: the value of information
   derived from remote sensing is considered at a range of scales, form local
   to global (including map making, land-use/cover change, deforestation, drought
   early warning, crop yield forecasting, natural hazards and environmental management).
   

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available only to Honours students in Geography who are in programme year 4 and who have passed GG 3528.

Overview

Students design, execute and report on a research project on an approved topic.

Structure

Each student receives approximately 6 hours supervisory guidance.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%) (dissertation).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor C Soulsby

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3017

Overview

Hydrological processes operating in the natural environment will be examined, monitoring techniques will be considered and basic approaches to the analysis and modelling of hydrological data will be described. An introduction to the various types of river and wetland environments will also be given and the ways in which hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes interact to sustain these environments will be examined. After this general introduction, the course will examine and highlight the importance of hydrology in understanding and responding to a range of problems in environmental management. These will include issues of water supply, flood management, water pollution and wetland conservation.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 hours of seminars/directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3019

Overview

This course aims to provide an introduction to the theory, practice and applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Topics covered include: what is a GIS?; GIS education, training and short courses; an historical overview of the development and evolution of GIS; what is spatial data?; GIS as a toolbox; GIS hardware requirements; small, medium and large GIS software systems; data sources, capture, input and storage; output from a GIS; the Human Computer Interface (HCI); the integrated image-based GIS; multimedia GIS; Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs);important new areas of development in GIS Technology e.g. cartography, expert systems, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS); and coverage of a wide range of GIS applications. Theoretical concepts of GIS are reinforced with the aid of a GIS tutor and demonstrations of GIS software. Limited ‘hands-on’ experience is provided with the IDRISI software package.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A S Mather

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3021.

Overview

This course focuses on the nature, condition and perception of natural resources at the beginning of the 21st century. Trends in major resource sectors (such as forests, agricultural land, energy and minerals) are considered against the background of the debate on adequacy and scarcity and of the evolution of the concept of sustainable development. The significance of the structural and institutional framework of resource management is examined, and recent trends and tendencies in it are reviewed. This course is set at the global level, with examples and case studies drawn as appropriate from national scales.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/seminar/workshop per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C Hunter

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3023

Overview

The nature and magnitude of global tourism activity; tourism’s impacts on the natural, built and cultural environments; the need for principles and policies of sustainable tourism; theoretical requirements of sustainable tourism in the context of competing interpretations of sustainable development; barriers to the implementation of sustainable tourism policy; a critique of new forms of ‘alternative’ tourism; management approaches and techniques for the implementation of sustainable tourism; case studies (e.g. ecotourism in Scotland).

Structure

Self-directed learning and 3 one-hour supporting seminars plus a 2 hour tutorial.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D MacKinnon

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above and who have passed GG 2004.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/2008. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3024.

Overview

The course is concerned with the changing political geographies of Europe since the 1960s. It begins by reviewing the recent history of political geography before focusing on global geopolitics and the political geography of European integration. The focus then moves to the national scale with material on nations and nationalism followed by an extended discussion of the ‘crisis’ of the nation state, and state responses to this through the devolution of functions to regional institutions. The course then discusses the politics of local economic development before concluding by identifying some important issues for future research.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/seminar per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/2008. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3025.

Overview

The course establishes the nature of the main coastal, nearshore and estuarine processes and enables an appreciation of the characteristics and the evolution of most types of coastlines. Geomorphological knowledge is applied to a range of coastal-zone management problems, including coast protection works, nature conservation, beach and dune recreational pressures, and the establishment of sediment budgets. By the end of the course, students will have gained an understanding of the synergies of the main process factors in operation, including anthropic intervention. The main aim of the course is to increase appreciation of the physical and biological factors involved in the rational management of coastal environments. Students will achieve an awareness of the journal literature pertinent to the subject matter, and an appreciation of current gaps in our knowledge. By the end of the course they should be able to generate ideas for research strategies that could help to fill them.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures/seminars per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/2008. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3026.

Overview

The course will cover a series of themes which will be taught as principles and as integrated topics. Areas to be covered will include the chronological and climatic framework of the Quaternay, glacial and interglacial cycles, landforms and soils.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week; 2 field trips plus directed learning replace 4 hours of lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment - project(33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D W F Mair

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3032.

Overview

1. Glacial processes and landforms. Topics include glacier mass balance, motion,
   hydrology, erosion and deposition processes, erosional and depositional landforms.


2. Glaciers and climate. Topics include measuring and modelling glacial processes,
   climatic interpretation of landform assemblages and ice cores, ice-climate
   interactions, case studies of contemporary ice sheets.

   Structure

   2 one-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

   Assessment

   1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and course work (33%): two data response exercises.

   Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C N Gibbins

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students in programme year 4 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3037. This course will run in 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter.

Overview

The course is structured as follows:

Part I. Basic principles: (i) Disturbance, continuum and hierarchical theory, (ii) The physical habitat template of rivers, (iii) River ecosystem diversity and function.

Part II. Human impacts: (i) River regulation, (ii) Pollution, (iii) Landuse change, (iv) Climate change.

Part III. River restoration and management: (i) Development of enviromental flows, (ii) River restoration.

Part IV. Field day: The ecological basis for management in the River Dee catchment. This will include a workshop to consider management issues and options for sustainable catchment management in the Dee.

The course will close with a summary and synthesis lecture. This will illustrate how concepts, themes and approaches covered in individual lectures for part of current EU river management policy and legislation.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures (one per week for the first 10 weeks of the course), plus a field day.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examinations (67%) plus continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus continuous assessment mark carried forward from 1st attempt (33%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available to Senior Honours students who have passed LE 3520.

Overview

Personal research supported by formal introduction to research methods (in associated course) and by regular supervision.

Structure

Required field work: discussion with supervisor (15 hours).

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%): submission of dissertation (including original work) on topic approved by Head of School.

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for futher details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Scott

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2004 and/or GG 2504.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3039. This course will run in 2006/07 and alternate years thereafter.

Overview

Sources of policy (the EU; Westminster; Scotland; local authorities); agricultural policy; forestry policy; environmental policy; land use planning policy).

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 hours of directed reading/seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: Written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr W Walton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 and above. This course will be offered in alternate years.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3040.

Overview

The relevance to planning practice of: competing theories of knowledge (eg logical positivism, structuralism); competing theories of the state (eg Marxist, free market); abnd competing ethical theories (eg deontological, teleological).

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 hours of directed reading/seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: Written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr W Walton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 and above.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3041. This course is only offered in alternate years.

Overview

Data sources; population and household forecasts; housing and employment land forecasts; transport forecasts; environmental appraisal; retail and employment impact studies; transport assessments; environmental auditing; planning and environmental indicators; ecological footprinting).

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week (to be arranged) plus 4 hours of directed reading/seminars.

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (67%); continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: Written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B Tress

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 who have passed LE 2030 / LE 2530 and LE 2529.

Notes

The course will run in session 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3042.

Overview

Concept of 'landscape' and how it operates, theoretical aspects of nature-culture interaction, landscape as a system, holism, complexity, island theory, interdisciplinarity. Recent developments in landscape perception, landscape design, landscape conservation and restoration, landscape evaluation and assessment. Application for urban park management, national park management, greenways, biotope networks, transdisciplinary projects.

Structure

The course will be offered as a web-based and self-directed learning course using the university's WebCT technology. The course on level 4 includes 11 theme modules that are presented online to the students. Web-based modules are complemented by 2-hour seminars every second week that are used to discuss the theme modules and address student questions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment / course work (100%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above. This course runs in alternate years. First offered in 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3044.

Overview

This course is taught through a series of seminars and directed reading. It aims to familiarise students with the resource base conflicts arising around coastal areas and to introduce the mechanisms (legal, policy and economic) available to resolve them. Topics considered include the role of the European Union; bathing water quality; the management of ports; the role of various regulatory bodies; approaches to coastal zone management in the USA and Australia, and design in the coastal zone.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour resit examination (67%) plus original continous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Scott

Pre-requisites

At least one of the following courses: LE 2530, LE 2531, GG 2004, GG 2504, MR 2006

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 4. This course may not be taken as part of any graduating curriculum with GG 3046. The course will run in alternate years. This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

Theory of designations in UK, European and International contexts
Science of designations
Politics and governance of designations
Designations as planning tools
Designations as social and economic tools
Impact of designations on people and place
Do designations work
Alternative models to designation

Structure

Teaching will be in 2 hour blocks using interactive class discussions/lecture format. Seminars will allow students to critically discuss key research papers and reports and prepare for the fieldwork weekend. One weekend during the semester will involve all students going to CNPA to assess the operation of the CNPA (This forms the project report and oral presentation assessment). This will rotate yearly between the two Scottish parks (Loch Lomond and the Trossachs).

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment / coursework (67%) (project report (42%); oral (25%)), examination (33%).

Resit: The presentation component will not form part of the resit; project report (42%) and examination components (33%) will be available to students.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Philip

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3048. This course is only offered in alternate years beginning in 2007/08.

Overview

This course considers a variety of socio-economic issues associated with the countryside at local, national and European scales, including rural economic restructuring, demographic change, social inclusion, rural transport and accessibility, rural lifestyles and rural housing. The reform of rural policy, new strategies for rural development and governance and rural conflicts are reviewed and critically evaluated. Future directions for rural communities are discussed.

Structure

16 one-hour lectures and 6 one-hour seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%), 1 two thousand word essay (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr B Loder

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above who have passed LE 1508.

Notes

This course will run in 2006/07 and alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3049.

Overview

This course provides students with an introduction to the concept of value, the measurement of value and methods of valuation. Principles of valuation are explained using examples from both land and coastal economy. Topics covered can include: the coastal property market; determinants of rental, capital and site value; cost of capital, equated yields and growth; extensions and renewal of leases; development and valuation of harbours, marinas and coastal areas including consideration of specific marine constraints and benefits.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures and 1 one-hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and continuous assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour resit examination (67%) plus original continuous assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed either GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3533

Overview

Course begins with discussion of the evidence which may be recovered by the application of the techniques available to the prehistoric geographer for assessing modus vivendi. The main corpus is an outline of Scottish prehistory and early historic archaeology, in which emphasis is placed on geographical phenomena - settlement, environmental impact, trade and the nature of society. Where necessary, material will be introduced from furth of Scotland e.g. the Irish connection.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week and/or 2 field excursions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment: project (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr N Spedding

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 3525.

Overview

The course will consist of four lecture-discussion meetings (of two-hours) followed by four two-hour seminars. It will focus on current debates at the frontiers of disciplinary advance, and in particular on the nature, significance and applications of current concepts.

Structure

4 two-hour lectures and 4 two-hour seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 3 essays (60%) and 1 seminar presentation (oral) (40%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 who have passed GG 3026.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3536

Overview

Introduction: principles of palaeoecology.
Late-and postglacial palaecological patterns.
Fieldwork: coring and collection of samples.
Laboratory pretreatment of samples.
Keys and modern material.
Fossil materials.
Collation and presentation of data.

Structure

2 one-hour lecture/practicals per week (9 weeks) and 1 day field excursion; plus project presentation sessions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Laboratory/field book (30%); project based on group data and analysis, but written up independently by individual (60%); presentation of project data (10%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A S Mather

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed either GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG3537

Overview

This course focuses on rural land use policy and governance in Britain, within the broad theme of environment-society interaction and the spatial impact of public policy. State influence and intervention in matters relating to rural land use are examined in general terms and more especially in relation to individual sectors such as countryside recreation, forestry, agriculture and nature conservation. The changing role of the countryside and the evolution of rural land-use planning are reviewed, and issues such as national parks and afforestation are considered.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment: comprising either one project or one essay (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J Loder

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2003, GG 2004 or GG 2504.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2007/08.

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3539

Overview

Current issues/events in the tropical world will be examined in a global context to explore their geographical basis and their relationship to long-term and recent human activity and/or physical processes. The examples will be developed from across the tropical world and will involve physical (e.g. El Niño) economic (e.g. innovation & globalisation, political impact of imperialisms, geostrategic issues), and social geography (issues of land tenure and reform).

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week plus 4 further hours of seminars or directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment – project (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Malcolm J Hole/Susan E Heard

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students in programme year 4 who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG2504 and GL 1503. Available to students in programme year 3 or above in Geology. Course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3541 in Geography.

Notes

Cannot be taken with GL 459V or GG 3541

Overview

Knowledge of the physical behaviour of, and interactions between, magmas in the uppermost crust, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Roles of vulcanology in human society, culture and economics: research and data collection; analysis and evaluation of data, report writing and the ability to respond to changing scenarios. Management and mapping of volcanic hazards, including evacuation strategies. Report presentation, self and peer assessment.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures (1 two-hour session per week for the first 10 weeks of the course) plus an innovative student-centred learning and assessment workshop and a field day.

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination(67%), including a compulsory question based entirely on the hazard management exercise from the workshop, plus in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%), as above, plus in-course assessment mark carried forward from 1st attempt (33%).

Assessment

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Alastair MD Gemmell

Pre-requisites

This course is avilable only to students in programme year 4 who have passed GG 2003 and/or GG 2504. Course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3532

Notes

This course will not be available in 2006/07.

Overview

Roles of geomorphology in planning and development; data collection, analysis and presentation of geomorphology information for non-specialist end-users; geomorphological techniques for resource evaluation, planning, construction and maintenance of communication routes; geomorphology and environmental protection; techniques for the evaluation and management of natural geomorphological phenomena, including geomorphological hazards; stategies for coping with geomorphological impacts of environmental change.

Structure

10 two-hour lectures (one per week for the first 10 weeks of the course) plus 4 hours of directed learning and/or a field day.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) including a question based entirely in the directed learning, plus in-course assessment (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr R Wright

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 2505.

Notes

This course will not be available in session 2006/07. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3503.

Overview

Need for control surveys; high accuracy methods of traversing and triangulation; use of electronic distance measurement (EDM); basics of survey adjustment procedures; global positioning systems (GPS); field course to carry out a project based on techniques covered in first half of course.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week for 6 weeks and one field course plus 4 hours of directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%) and in-course assessment: 1 project and 1 practical exercise (50%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B R Rea

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in year 4 who have passed GG 2003.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3544. This course will run in 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter.

Overview

This course will include an introduction to the Quaternary and pre-Quaternary world, and will deal in detail with Quaternary Environments using a number of case studies: glacial; periglacial; sea level; hydrology; ocean-atmospheric circulation; Quaternary dating and environmental reconstruction. Data analysis and literature searching, evaluation and assessment.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/practical per week, 4 further hours of seminars/directed learning plus a 1 day field excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) plus in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) PLUS in-course assessment mark carried forward from first attempt (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr W Walton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 3041.

Notes

This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3545. This course is only available in alternate years.

Overview

Within this course students will: identify, assemble, interrogate and manipulate relevant socio-economic and environmental data; produce future projections for matters such as population and economic activity in order to calculate the likely demands for new housing and commercial development; evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternative planning and development scenarios; devise an appropriate development strategy for one of the transport corridors within the Aberdeen hinterland; and prepare a site specific land use development plan for one of the settlements within that transportation corridor.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/practical workshop each week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one-hour written examination (33%); continual assessment (67%).

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr G Tress

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 4 or above who have passed GG 4042.

Notes

This course will run in session 2006/07 and in alternate years thereafter. This course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3546.

Overview

Concept of strategic planning; principles of future studies; methods and tools of strategic planning; scenario approaches; integrative approaches; landscape planning concepts; strategic planning steps; complexity of landscape management; policies on landscape development.

Structure

The course will be offered as a web-based and self-directed learning course using the university's WebCT technology. The course on level 4 includes 11 theme modules that are presented online to the students. Web-based modules are complemented by 2-hour seminars every second wee that are used to discuss the theme modules and address student questions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment / coursework (100%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

To be advised

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Overview

This course focuses on practical aspects of rural Estate Management. It covers the business (financial appraisal), organisational aspects of rural land and property (tenancy arrangements, internal management structures, decision-making, setting aims/objectives), and management of specific estate activities (sporting and diversification). The course combines lectures and project work classes with half-day field visits to a number of rural estates (including a three day residential field visit).

Structure

1 one-hour lecture per week, 4 one-hour tutorials fortnightly, required field work: practical exercises; 24 hours plus residential field visit in Easter vacation.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%) and coursework: group report based on case study estate (25%); formal oral presentation to rural practitioners (10%); individual report based on residential field visit (15%).

Resit: Assessment: 1 two-hour examination (50%) and coursework: report based on case study estate (35%); report based on residential field visit (15%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed MR 1510 and GG 2505.

Notes

1) This course will not be available in session 2006/07. It will run in alternate years thereafter. 2) This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3549.

Overview

Brief history of navigation and hydrography and the current significance; review of applications; the elements of hydrography; method of fixing position afloat; unelevated position fixing; processing of hydrographic data.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (67%) plus original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above who have passed MR 1510 and GG 2505.

Notes

1) This course will not be available in session 2006/07. It will run in alternate years thereafter.
2) This course is not available as part of a graduating curriculum with GG 3549.

Overview

Brief history of navigation and hydrography and the current significance; review of applications; the elements of hydrography; method of fixing position afloat; unelevated position fixing; processing of hydrographic data.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week plus 4 additional hours of seminars/directed reading or presentations.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour resit examination (67%) plus original in-course assessment carried forward (33%).