Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A specific topic within the field of Environment not examined in depth in regular courses. This course will provide students with understanding, perspective and experience in emerging and important areas of environment. Variable units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

COURSE DETAILS:

River restoration is both a science and social experiment. In this class we will focus on the science part, and discuss the social aspects when the connection is clear. The class consists of three parts plus a weekly tutorial. The first part will focus on basic science philosophy, and how restoration fits in with setting up goals and objectives which link to clear rationale basis. The second part will provide an overview of watersheds, hydrology and rivers so there is common knowledge concerning fluvial systems. The third part will review river restoration practice from technical analysis to monitoring and adaptation. The three class parts will be synthesized weekly during tutorial and will culminate in each student developing their own river restoration plan set, from start to finish and will focus on use of simple computing and open source software. All aspects of the tutorials will be taught.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After successfully completing this course, students can:

 

1. Explain what science is and is not, and implement one way to develop focused research questions
   that can be used to develop river restoration alternatives.
2. Explain the value of scientific research with respect to development of river restoration plans, and  explain the inherent tension between science and river restoration.
3. Understand how to critically evaluate scientific contributions as it relates to river restoration, and how
   to identify existing knowledge gaps.
4. Understand the basic physical processes and architectures of river systems, with an emphasis on
   gravel-bed rivers found in mountainous environments. Coastal systems will be less emphasized.
5. Understand how to develop river restoration plan sets, including the narrative basis for a particular
   design approach (application of science to restoration). Explain the components of design plan sets,
   and how science can guide and relates to specific elements of plans.
6. Understand the general attributes of post-project monitoring and reporting, including how such activities inform future efforts.
7. Demonstrate enhanced skills in communication, research, and critical thinking.

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Tutorial Materials:

Each student will need access to a laptop computer. To begin, each student will need Microsoft Excel or Open Office Calc (free software) installed – Microsoft Excel can be downloaded for free (see https://www.sfu.ca/information-systems/services/software/microsoft-365.html). As the semester progresses we will install several open access software packages.

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: