COASTAL ENGINEERING

COASTAL ENGINEERING
Course Code
MR 2510
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Dr D R Green

Pre-requisites

Available only to BSc Marine and Coastal Resource Management students in Programme Year 2 or above.

Overview

An introductory overview of civil, coastal and offshore engineering, as applicable to coastal management. This will include the foundations of coastal engineering such as an understanding of: coastal design and design considerations, synthesis, simplification and systems, engineering time, jargon and terminology, and data sources and requirements. Basic coverage of topics such as water waves, wave generation, wave analysis, wave transformation, and wave models will be provided. In addition, attention will be given to tides, currents, storm surges, and climate change including sea level rise, as well as coastal sediment transport, coastal shore processes, coastal geomorphology, and an introduction to coastal management. Coastal design, the design of structures, and shore protection (sediment movement, groynes, seawalls, breakwaters, beach nourishment), harbour and marina design will all be briefly examined. Coverage may also include reference to some or all of the following: regulations and legislation affecting civil engineering works with emphasis on coastal locations; features of energy generation with emphasis on renewable resources; principles and techniques of slope and cliff stability, sea defences and riverbank protection work; deposition and dredging in estuaries and coastal locations; issues regarding the design and construction of harbours and marinas; Design, construction and environmental impact of footpaths, tracks and dirt roads in coastal locations. Some time will also be spent on problem-solving.

Structure

1 two-hour session per week, plus reading, private study, research projects, student presentations, peer group review, workshops and informal discussion, plus a local field visit.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%)

Formative Assessment

Informal in-class discussions are an integral part of the course. There is no stand-alone, formal formative assessment. However, feedback on summative assessments should help students to improve their subsequent performances within the course and for subsequent courses. See box below.

Feedback

Students receive individual, written feedback on their coursework using standard comments sheets. Individual comments are supported by in-class feedback.