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Unit of study_
MARS5001: Coastal Processes and Systems
2025 unit information
This unit of study explains the major coastal processes and systems of relevance to coastal zone management. These include beaches, barriers and dunes; estuaries and inlets; and coral reefs. The interactions between these processes and systems that are of most relevance to coastal management are highlighted, including coastal hazards such as beach erosion. Anthropogenic impacts are also analysed. This unit includes an introduction to numerical modeling of coastal processes and systems using state-of-the-art modeling tools. The unit is presented in lectures and field excursions, the latter enabling each system to be examined first hand.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Geosciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level mathematics and understanding of basic statistics |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. analyse beach systems and evaluate the controlling mechanisms that define the characteristics of a given beach
- LO2. understand the importance of coastal geomorphology for coastal management
- LO3. estimate coastal processes using data and numerical models
- LO4. design a coastal management project to effectively assess coastal change in sandy coasts
- LO5. understand the effects of climate change on coastal areas and the related coastal response and management
- LO6. efficiently keep a field notebook
- LO7. learn techniques for data analyses and representation
- LO8. setup, run and analyse data using a numerical model
- LO9. understand scientific writing & basic programming
- LO10. demonstrate proficiency in scientific presentation
- LO11. learn to scientifically discuss the work of your peers.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
