Coastal Processes, Hazards, and Society – Fall Semester 2016
This syllabus is divided into several sections. You can read it sequentially by scrolling down the length of the document or by clicking on any of the links below to “jump” to a specific section. This material is also covered in your individualized campus syllabus (see Syllabus tab).
- Course Overview and Expectations
- Course Materials
- Assignments and Grading
- Course Schedule and Module Schedule
- Technical Requirements and Disclaimer
Course Overview
Description
This course will provide students with a global perspective of coastal landscapes, the processes responsible for their formation, diversity, and change over time, as well as societal responses to current changes in the coastal zones around the world. Active learning elements include analyzing real data sets and applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world coastal issues that affect human populations. Students will complete a capstone project in which they consider a real-world coastal issue.
Course Objectives
When you successfully complete this course, you will be prepared to:
- develop the fundamental geospatial skills and concepts needed to assess the coastal processes and hazards discussed in this course;
- link geologic time and current shoreline processes in order to explain the past and present evolution of coastline morphology;
- assess the economic and social impacts of coastal hazards;
- select optimal engineering options to mitigate specific risks;
- assess how government and stakeholders can plan for and respond to coastal hazards.
Expectations
On average, most students spend eight to ten hours per week working on course assignments. Your workload may be more or less depending on your study habits.
We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. The Internet may still be a novel learning environment for you, but in one sense it is no different from a traditional college class: how much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me as well as with your fellow students.
Specific learning objectives for each module and project are detailed within each module.
Course Materials
Online Lesson Content
All materials needed for this course are presented online through our course website. In each module, we provide citations for additional reading.
Assignments
This course will rely on a variety of methods to assess and evaluate student learning, including:
- weekly quizzes multiple choice, administered through your course management system;
- labs : there are lab activities each week. You will do them on worksheets and submit your answers via Canvas.
- capstone activity: will be introduced at the end of Module 3.
It is important that your work is submitted in the proper format by the designated due date. We strongly advise that you not wait until the last minute to complete these assignments—give yourself time to ask questions, think things over, and chat with others. You'll learn more, do better...and be happier!
Due dates for all assignments are posted in the syllabus for your campus and below. Please make sure you are aware of the weekly deadlines.
Grading
Percentages and Letter Grades
Assignment | Percent of Grade |
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Quizzes (12) | 25% |
Labs (12) | 50% |
Capstone Project (1) | 25% |
Your scores for all assignments will be kept current in the Course Management System.
Bonus Credit
There will be bonus credit of 2% for taking the two surveys at the beginning of the course (the Pre GLE and SERC surveys) and the end of the course (the Post GLE and SERC surveys) (a total of four surveys). The surveys do take time and thought. To receive this credit, you must answer all questions, including providing thoughtful answers to the post-course essay questions. There is no partial credit given, you must complete all four surveys. To receive this credit, you must also submit a signed consent letter in the course dropbox. All of this must be done by May 23.
Letter Grade | Percentages |
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A | 93 - 100 % |
A- | 90 - 92.9 % |
B+ | 87 - 89.9 % |
B | 83 - 86.9 % |
B- | 80 - 82.9% |
C+ | 77 - 79.9 % |
C | 70 - 76.9 % |
D | 60 - 69.9 % |
F | < 60 % |
X |
Unsatisfactory (student did not participate) |
Late Policy
We accept late work only in exceptional circumstances, but you must contact us immediately if you need an exception. The earlier you contact us to request a late submission, the better. Requests will be considered on a case by case basis. If you miss a quiz or a blog entry, that will count as your dropped score. Late labs will be assessed a penalty of 10% per day.
Course Schedule
Sunday |
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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Quizzes are due by Midnight. |
Lab Assignments are due Tuesday midnight after the module closes. |
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Note: Labs are due in the following week lab period (i.e., Lab 1 is due in Lab 2 lab period).
Module Schedule
Do not use this list for Readings or Assignments, use the Lesson Road Maps at the beginning of each module for these.
Week 1: Course Orientation + Module 1 (Module 1 description below) |
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Dates |
Wednesday, August 17 - Sunday, August 21, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
Topics |
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Readings |
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Assignments |
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Dates |
Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Assignments |
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Week 2: A Global Glance of the Geology of Coastal Landscapes |
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Dates |
Monday, August 29, 2016 - Sunday, September 4, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Assignments |
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Week 4: Understanding Sea Level Change |
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Dates |
Monday, September 12 - Sunday, September 18, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Assignments |
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Week 5: Coastal Catastrophes: Storms and Tsunamis |
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Dates |
Monday, September 19, 2016 - Sunday, September 25, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Week 6: Impacts on the Societies and Economics of Coastal Regions |
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Dates |
Monday, September 26, 2016 - Sunday, October 2, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 -Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Week : Capstone Stage 2 |
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Week 7: Hard Structures and Coastal Modifications through Mimicking Natural Processes
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Dates |
Monday, October 3, 2016 - Sunday, October 9, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Assignments |
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Week 8: Managed Retreat/Multi-Layered Protection |
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Dates |
Monday, Ocotber 17, 2016 - Sunday, Ocotber 23, 2016 (UNO - After Fall Break) Monday August 22-Sunday August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Assignments |
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Week 9: Smart Building |
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Dates |
Monday, Ocotber 24, 2016 - Sunday, Ocotber 30, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Week 10: Understanding and Assessing Coastal Vulnerability |
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Dates |
Monday, October 31 18, 2016 - Sunday, November 6, 2016 (UNO) Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
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Readings |
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Week 12: Sea Level Rise Policy + Capstone Prjoect submission |
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Dates |
Monday, November 14 2016 - Sunday, November 21, 2016 (UNO) - followed by Thanksgiving Holiday. (UNO Final or Capstone project submitted by December 6). Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
Topics |
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Readings |
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Assignments |
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Week : Capstone Week 2 |
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Dates |
Monday, August 22 - Sunday, August 28 (PSU) |
Topics | None |
Readings | None |
Assignments |
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Technical Requirements
SeeTechnical Requirements (upper right of Orientation).
Disclaimer
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course discussion forum.