GV2HAZ-Natural Hazards

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Alison Macleod

Email: alison.macleod@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces and investigates the origin, frequency and impacts of a range of natural hazards. These will be considered at both the local and global geographical scales and will look at Hazards in the present day, how they are represented in the palaeorecord and what this can tell us about long-term operation and impact of these natural processes.

Aims:

This module aims to introduce the scientific basis of a range of natural hazards, discuss their effects, and consider hazard prediction, mitigation, and prevention. This will be facilitated through the use of well-documented case studies of past natural hazard events/disasters.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module it is expected that a student will be able to:

• Describe and explain the nature and variety of natural hazards


• Provide a detailed and reasoned account of how hazards arise and how they operate, for example vulcanicity, seismicity, land instability, hurricanes, tsunami, wildfires,  snow avalanches and glacial lake outbursts


• Discuss the key aspects of permafrost engineering hazards and drylands haz ards


• Critically evaluate different approaches to hazard mitigation and management


• Outline the nature of historical hazard events and assess the lessons learned from them


• Understand the relationship between hazards, risk, resilience and humans.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage practical observation and recording skills, essay writing under exam conditions.

Outline content:

The unit begins with an overview of the nature of natural hazards, and this is then followed by lectures on a range of topics relating to natural hazards, that may include: volcanic hazards, earthquake hazards and tsunamis, hurricanes, hazards of land instability and lake outburst, dryland hazards, permafrost and associated engineering hazards, wildfires, snow or ice avalanche hazards. 

Global context:

All lectures are given providing tangible case studies from locations and events around the world both from events that have taken place in recent years to those from the historic or prehistoric record.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		80
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hour written examination split into 50% seen (closed book), and 50% unseen exam.  The seen component is a single compulsory question that is issued 96 hours before the exam.  The unseen component asks the students to select one question from a choice of three.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

N/A

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020