GVMPFF-Preparing For Floods

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Hannah Cloke
Email: h.l.cloke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The module will provide a basis for understanding key issues in flood preparedness, from the local to the global scale, including flood forecasting and warning, response and incident management and building community resilience. The module uses lectures, seminars for discussion and includes a visit to the European Flood Awareness System operational centre. As students on this module will come from a range of academic backgrounds, they may select either a forecast modelling or policy critique based assignment. The module will be run in conjunction with GV3PF Preparing for Floods to increase opportunity for peer discussion.

Aims:

Assessable learning outcomes:
- A deep understanding of the components of flood preparedness strategies in different contexts and their relationship to science and policy.

- Ability to critically discuss the scientific and policy concepts used in flood risk management.

- Ability to critically evaluate flood preparedness policy and practice in a national and international context

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
This module will introduce students to the each of the key issues in flood preparedness. Lectures and seminars will cover:

- Flood preparedness: a multi-faceted problem
- Flood forecasting and warning, UK & international
- Flood response and incident management: policy and practice
- Flood risk management for river catchments under a changing climate and a changing landscape
- Building community resilience to flooding

The students will be encouraged, through guided reading and discussion, to critique current flood preparedness science, policy and practice. The module will draw on national and international examples, including the European Flood Awareness System.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will involve 2 hour lectures providing an introduction to a key issue in flood preparedness and 2 hour seminars, where key concepts and readings from the lectures are discussed. Participation in the seminars, in terms of understanding of concepts, depth of preparation and oral skills will be assessed. The written assignment will be critique based, and students can select from a forecast modelling or policy based topic. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		8
Seminars		8
Practicals classes and workshops		3
Fieldwork		7
External visits		4
Guided independent study:		70
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	45
Oral assessment and presentation	35
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Active participation in discussions: 10%

Presentation: 25%

Critique coursework essay: 45%

Computer practical modelling worksheet: 20% 

Formative assessment methods:
Oral feedback during discussions.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023