13955 - Geomorphology Modulübersicht

Module Number: 13955
Module Title:Geomorphology
  Geomorphologie
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. phil. Raab, Thomas
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: On special announcement
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:At the end of the module, the students will be able
  • to understand and remember the fundamentals of geomorphology
  • to explain the factors and processes of landform development
  • to describe the morphology of landforms and explain its formation
  • to understand and apply methods for quantitative landform description and analysis
  • to apply and evaluate different types of digital elevation data
  • to process and analyze digital elevation data in GIS software
  • to create maps of landform structures and relief features
Contents:Part 1 Lecture – Geomorphology
  • Fundamentals and concepts of geomorphology
  • Geomorphic agents and processes
  • Landforms and landform
  • Anthropogenic geomorphology
  • Characteristic landforms of the mid latitudes
Part 2 Seminar – Digital Terrain Analysis
  • Concept of Geomorphometry and basic geomorphometric parameters
  • Digital elevation models (DEMs) – types and data sources
  • Software for elevation data processing and analysis
  • Visualization methods
  • Advanced geomorphometric indices
  • Exemplary practical applications (hydrology, archaeology, soil erosion modelling,…)
Part 3 Seminar/Exercise - Processing and analysis of digital landform data
  • Practical exercises for exemplary study areas of an ongoing research project
  • import and processing of DEMs in GIS database
  • computation of basic geomorphometric parameters (slope, curvature, exposition,…)
  • digital landform classification
  • computation of advanced morphometric indices (TWI, SPI, …)
  • visualization of relief structures
  • digitization of relief structures, analysis of spatial distribution patterns
  • creation of maps
Recommended Prerequisites:Basics of physical geography
Mandatory Prerequisites:
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 1 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Exercise / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Seminar / 1 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:
  • Anderson, R.S., Anderson, S.P. (2010): Geomorphology. The Mechanics and Chemistry of Landscapes. Cambridge University Press. 637 p.
  • Goudie, A., Viles, H. (2016): Geomorphology in the Anthropocene. Cambridge University Press. 324 p.
  • Gutiérrez Elorza, M. (2005): Climatic geomorphology. Elsevier, 760 p.
  • Hengl, T. (ed., 2009): Geomorphometry. Concepts, Software, Applications. Elsevier, 765 p.
  • Slaymaker, O., (ed., 2011): Geomorphology and global environmental change. Cambridge University Press, 434 p.
  • Wilson, J.P. (2000): Terrain Analysis. Principles and Applications. Wiley, 479 p.
  • Teaching material and further recommended literature will be provided in the specific courses
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
  • written assessment on Lecture Geomorphology, approx. 8 questions, 2 pages (20%)   
  • 4 seminar exercises to be solved independently or in groups, 4 protocols (1 page each) and 4 presentations (10 min each) (40%)
  • final integrative presentation (20 min) and discussion of exercise results (15 min) (40%)
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Bachelor (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2015
  • Master (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2011
  • Master (research-oriented) - Double Degree / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
  • Master (research-oriented) / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2021
Remarks:
Module Components:
  • Lecture Geomorphology (1SWS)
  • Exercise Processing and analysis of digital landform data (2SWS)
  • Seminar Digital Terrain Analysis (1SWS)
Components to be offered in the Current Semester:
  • no assignment