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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Introduction to Marine & Coastal Environments
Module Code GY239 (ITS) / ENS1014 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School History & Geography
Module Co-ordinator-
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

Marine and coastal systems are vital for climate regulation, biodiversity, fisheries, and recreation. They protect shorelines, provide resources, and support economies. However, they face mounting challenges due to human activities and changing environmental conditions. This module seeks to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the physical marine and coastal environment, the challenges they encounter, and strategies for their sustainable management.

Learning Outcomes

1. Characterise the physical marine and coastal environment and the processes responsible for their formation
2. Recognise the current challenges facing marine environments and their social, economic and environmental costs
3. Assess the vulnerability of marine and coastal environments to climate change
4. Design approaches for their sustainable management of coastal systems using specialised software



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Lectures/Seminars
Independent Study76Independent reading, expansion on in-class material, completion of practical exercises, revision
Assignment Completion25No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Ocean basin and seafloor topography
Formation and distribution, plate tectonics, topographic features, seafloor sediments

Ocean properties and circulation
Ocean water properties, surface currents, thermohaline circulation, coastal circulation

Coastal processes
Waves, tides, sediment dynamics

Coastal environments and geomorphology
Depositional an erosional coastlines

Future Oceans and Coasts
Ocean acidification, sea level rise, coastal management

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Loop QuizIn class Loop Quiz30%Week 6
AssignmentSustainable Management of Coastal Environments70%n/a
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None

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