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: 2022/3

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 volcanicity, seismicity, land instability, hurricanes, tsunami, wildfires, snow avalanches and glacial lake outbursts


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


• Critically evaluate different approaches to hazard mitigation and management


• Outline the nature of historical and palaeo-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, data analysis 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:

eaching will be via a range of recorded screencasts, in-person lectures, practical classes and a local half-day field trip.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Practicals classes and workshops		10
Fieldwork		4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		74
Exam revision/preparation			2
Total hours by term	0	98	2
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Class test administered by School	20

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:

Blackboard Quiz utilising a range of multiple choice, data analysis and short answer questions. There will be banks of questions where students will receive a randomised set of questions under a series of themes. Question expectations will be the same but not all students will receive the same questions. 

Formative assessment methods:

In-class discussion of practical exercises 

Kahoot quizzes 

Practice exam question feedback in class 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

Exam: Re-examination  

Class test: Completion of an alternative Blackboard quiz 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: Warm and waterproof clothing would be good to have for the field trip – there is no expectation that you will purchase these but you should look to borrow for the half day field trip if you don’t already own such things.

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022