Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Intermediate analysis in fluvial and coastal geomorphology with particular reference to British Columbia. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Content: This course is about river morphodynamics – specifically how a river system adjusts to the movement of water and sediment beginning at its headwaters and following through to its terminus. We will explore: i) drainage basin and flood hydrology, ii) river channel hydraulics, iii) sediment transport, iv) river morphology and change, and v) the movement of water and sediment from terrestrial sources to marine depositional sinks and along the coast. Interaction with alluvial river systems continues to be foundational for human and broader ecosystem function around the globe, and this course is designed to increase your appreciation of these systems and the way they modify the landscape around you.

This course may be counted as an elective course in all syllabi for Professional Geoscience (P. Geo.) accreditation by the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC).

Prerequisite: GEOG 213 is prerequisite (or permission of instructor).  Grade 11 Math is assumed.

Instructional Format: There will be 2 hours of lecture each week and 8 two-hour laboratories.  There will be no laboratory session in the first week of classes.  

Field Trip: Road conditions permitting, there will be a mandatory field trip on the weekend of Mar 14-15, 2026. Your mandatory supplementary course fee covers some travel costs; you should budget for additional costs to be paid to the Department to cover remaining travel and accommodation costs (up to $100, assuming 2 students/room) and food. Any concerns around accommodation should be directed to the instructor.

On the field trip you will need field boots, a camera and standard items such as a field notebook, pens, pencils and a ruler; your clothing should reflect preparation for the range of BC weather conditions. Be aware that during the field trip there may be periods of walking on uneven ground, climbing on rocky outcrops, crossing roads with busy traffic and wading in a river. Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn. Further details regarding safety, meals, accommodation and field supplies will be discussed prior to the field trip. Students must always remain compliant with all student responsibilities, regulations, and policies as outlined in the current Academic Calendar and SFU Student Conduct policy, as well as relevant regulations and policies as outlined in the SFU Policy Gazette and Provincial Health guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to, expected student conduct and the maintenance of appropriate medical insurance coverage.

13 x 2 hour lecture, 8 x 2 hour labs, 1 x 2-day fieldtrip

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Laboratory Materials:

Lab resources will be provided in labs; some may be provided on canvas. A computer with excel (for some labs) and word processing capabilities is advantageous. There will be no laboratory session in the first week of classes.

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: