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Coastal zones represent a small fraction of physical space on the Earth, but they are exceptionally important places to study physical and ecological dynamics of environmental change – in natural and anthropogenic systems, alike.

This module examines natural processes of coastal physical landscape change and ecosystem functioning, along with a spectrum of human activities (infrastructure development, hazard mitigation, resource extraction) that reshape coastal environments over time. Many coastal systems are settings in which natural processes and human activities are dynamically linked, such that the state and behaviour of each is a function of the other.

This module will explore as integrated systems a variety of coastal environments and associated uses of coastal space. We will focus on how various integrated coastal systems respond to forces driven by climate change, and what these responses may mean for system resilience and sustainability.

Examples of coastal systems from around the planet will introduce students to spheres of physical geography that they may explore further through elective modules and dissertation projects in their final year.

Circumstances permitting, this module may include a one-day field trip and/or exercises involving small-scale physical experiments in the School's "mini-basin".

Coastal zones represent a small fraction of physical space on the Earth, but they are exceptionally important places to study physical and ecological dynamics of environmental change – in natural and anthropogenic systems, alike.

This module examines natural processes of coastal physical landscape change and ecosystem functioning, along with a spectrum of human activities (infrastructure development, hazard mitigation, resource extraction) that reshape coastal environments over time. Many coastal systems are settings in which natural processes and human activities are dynamically linked, such that the state and behaviour of each is a function of the other.

This module will explore as integrated systems a variety of coastal environments and associated uses of coastal space. We will focus on how various integrated coastal systems respond to forces driven by climate change, and what these responses may mean for system resilience and sustainability.

Examples of coastal systems from around the planet will introduce students to spheres of physical geography that they may explore further through elective modules and dissertation projects in their final year.

Circumstances permitting, this module may include a one-day field trip and/or exercises involving small-scale physical experiments in the School's "mini-basin".

Coastal morphodynamics is the study of coastal geomorphology and its change under the influence of waves, tides, etc. It is important to understand coastal morphodynamics as natural coastal geomorphology such as beaches provides substantial protection and this needs to be monitored and evaluated. Further, there is increasing interest in soft as opposed to hard approaches to coastal engineering that are inspired by natural geomorphic systems. This module introduces the students to:

• The concepts of coastal morphodynamics in a range of settings and regimes, with an emphasis on beaches and the UK situation;
• Methods for analysing and predicting coastal change; and
• ‘Soft’ approaches to coastal engineering and management.

This includes consideration of basic sediment and morphological theory, analytical and numerical models, and relevant contemporary issues, such as shoreline management planning and impacts and responses to sea-level rise. The course comprises a series of lectures and workshops, with a one day field trip.

Coastal morphodynamics is the study of coastal geomorphology and its change under the influence of waves, tides, etc. It is important to understand coastal morphodynamics as natural coastal geomorphology such as beaches provides substantial protection and this needs to be monitored and evaluated. Further, there is increasing interest in soft as opposed to hard approaches to coastal engineering that are inspired by natural geomorphic systems. This module introduces the students to:

• The concepts of coastal morphodynamics in a range of settings and regimes, with an emphasis on beaches and the UK situation;
• Methods for analysing and predicting coastal change; and
• ‘Soft’ approaches to coastal engineering and management.

This includes consideration of basic sediment and morphological theory, analytical and numerical models, and relevant contemporary issues, such as shoreline management planning and impacts and responses to sea-level rise. The course comprises a series of lectures and workshops, with a one day field trip.

Coastal morphodynamics is the study of coastal geomorphology and its change under the influence of waves, tides, etc. It is important to understand coastal morphodynamics as natural coastal geomorphology such as beaches provides substantial protection and this needs to be monitored and evaluated. Further, there is increasing interest in soft as opposed to hard approaches to coastal engineering that are inspired by natural geomorphic systems. This module introduces the students to:

• The concepts of coastal morphodynamics in a range of settings and regimes, with an emphasis on beaches and the UK situation;
• Methods for analysing and predicting coastal change; and
• ‘Soft’ approaches to coastal engineering and management.

This includes consideration of basic sediment and morphological theory, analytical and numerical models, and relevant contemporary issues, such as shoreline management planning and impacts and responses to sea-level rise. The course comprises a series of lectures and workshops, with a one day field trip.

Coastal morphodynamics is the study of coastal geomorphology and its change under the influence of waves, tides, etc. It is important to understand coastal morphodynamics as natural coastal geomorphology such as beaches provides substantial protection and this needs to be monitored and evaluated. Further, there is increasing interest in soft as opposed to hard approaches to coastal engineering that are inspired by natural geomorphic systems. This module introduces the students to:

• The concepts of coastal morphodynamics in a range of settings and regimes, with an emphasis on beaches and the UK situation;
• Methods for analysing and predicting coastal change; and
• ‘Soft’ approaches to coastal engineering and management.

This includes consideration of basic sediment and morphological theory, analytical and numerical models, and relevant contemporary issues, such as shoreline management planning and impacts and responses to sea-level rise. The course comprises a series of lectures and workshops, with a one day field trip.

Coastal morphodynamics is the study of coastal geomorphology and its change under the influence of waves, tides, etc. It is important to understand coastal morphodynamics as natural coastal geomorphology such as beaches provides substantial protection and this needs to be monitored and evaluated. Further, there is increasing interest in soft as opposed to hard approaches to coastal engineering that are inspired by natural geomorphic systems. This module introduces the students to:

• The concepts of coastal morphodynamics in a range of settings and regimes, with an emphasis on beaches and the UK situation;
• Methods for analysing and predicting coastal change; and
• ‘Soft’ approaches to coastal engineering and management.

This includes consideration of basic sediment and morphological theory, analytical and numerical models, and relevant contemporary issues, such as shoreline management planning and impacts and responses to sea-level rise. The course comprises a series of lectures and workshops, with a one day field trip.

Coastal morphodynamics is the study of coastal geomorphology and its change under the influence of waves, tides, etc. It is important to understand coastal morphodynamics as natural coastal geomorphology such as beaches provides substantial protection and this needs to be monitored and evaluated. Further, there is increasing interest in soft as opposed to hard approaches to coastal engineering that are inspired by natural geomorphic systems. This module introduces the students to:

• The concepts of coastal morphodynamics in a range of settings and regimes, with an emphasis on beaches and the UK situation;
• Methods for analysing and predicting coastal change; and
• ‘Soft’ approaches to coastal engineering and management.

This includes consideration of basic sediment and morphological theory, analytical and numerical models, and relevant contemporary issues, such as shoreline management planning and impacts and responses to sea-level rise. The course comprises a series of lectures and workshops, with a one day field trip.

The coastal zone supports the livelihood and well-being of hundreds of millions of people, valuable ecosystems and vital industry, trade links and energy networks. The movement of coastal sediments by natural processes and human interventions continually reshapes our coastal and marine environments, impacting on natural ecosystems, resources, and built assets, and our exposure to coastal hazards such as erosion and flooding. The movement of coastal sediments by tides, waves, currents [and wind and gravity] is complex and presents a formidable challenge that we must address to implement sustainable, adaptive and resilient solutions to coastal change and risk management, infrastructure development, habitat conservation, and sustainable provision of renewable energy and marine resources.

This module considers the fundamental principles underpinning coastal sediment dynamics and their practical applications in a quantitative manner. Flow properties, the benthic boundary layer, and resulting sediment/seabed responses under waves and steady currents are summarised. Modes of transport and resulting bed evolution are described and algorithms for predicting sediment transport are defined. The dynamics of cohesive and non-cohesive sediment transport are considered, and the implications of biology and engineering interventions are addressed. These concepts are described in a fieldtrip to Poole and Christchurch Bays and implications to coastal /ocean engineering and management are discussed with guest lecturers from industry and local government agencies.

The coastal zone supports the livelihood and well-being of hundreds of millions of people, valuable ecosystems and vital industry, trade links and energy networks. The movement of coastal sediments by natural processes and human interventions continually reshapes our coastal and marine environments, impacting on natural ecosystems, resources, and built assets, and our exposure to coastal hazards such as erosion and flooding. The movement of coastal sediments by tides, waves, currents [and wind and gravity] is complex and presents a formidable challenge that we must address to implement sustainable, adaptive and resilient solutions to coastal change and risk management, infrastructure development, habitat conservation, and sustainable provision of renewable energy and marine resources.

This module considers the fundamental principles underpinning coastal sediment dynamics and their practical applications in a quantitative manner. Flow properties, the benthic boundary layer, and resulting sediment/seabed responses under waves and steady currents are summarised. Modes of transport and resulting bed evolution are described and algorithms for predicting sediment transport are defined. The dynamics of cohesive and non-cohesive sediment transport are considered, and the implications of biology and engineering interventions are addressed. These concepts are described in a fieldtrip to Poole and Christchurch Bays and implications to coastal /ocean engineering and management are discussed with guest lecturers from industry and local government agencies.