Module: Introduction to Marine & Coastal Environments

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Marine & Coastal Environments
Module Code	ENS1014 (ITS: GY239)
Faculty	History & Geography	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures/Seminars
Independent Study	76	Independent reading, expansion on in-class material, completion of practical exercises, revision
Assignment Completion	25	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10745	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Niamh Cullen	Module Teacher	Darren Clarke, Gránia Shanahan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Loop Quiz	In class Loop Quiz	30%	Week 6
Assignment	Sustainable Management of Coastal Environments	70%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None