Undergraduate Courses

Course outline:This course deals with the fundamental physical environmental elements of the earth and demonstrates the important relationships between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Topics covered include: Structure and dynamics of the Earth; stratigraphy and geological history; climatology; surface processes and evolution of landscapes; biogeography; humans and the environment. An integrated view of the earth system is presented and there is a strong practical skills element that includes both laboratory and fieldwork.

Entrance requirements: Matric Physical Science or Geography on Higher Grade, or an 'A' on Standard Grade. Preference will be given to students registered in the Science Faculty.

Field work: Students are required to attend two 1-day excursions in the Cape Peninsula. Lectures: Five lectures per week, Monday to Friday, 2nd period. Practicals: One practical per week, Tuesday 14h00 to 17h00. The practical from week 1 and week 2 can be found here. DP requirements: An average of 30% on all marked classwork and tests Examination requirements: Marked class work counts 25%; one 3-hour theory examination written in June counts 45%; one 3-hour practical examination written in June counts 30%. Subminima of 40% are required for practical and theory examination papers.

Course outline:

Part 1) Global Earth Surface Dynamics 
The first section of this course aims to generate a global appreciation of contemporary terrestrial environments. Students are introduced to gradual changing surface dynamics which shape the polar, arid and tropical regions. Particular focus is placed on the role of water in soil formation and other land surface processes. In order to provide a global and dynamic overview a basic introduction to earth observation satellites and data is required. 

Part 2) The Climate System 
The second section of the course will introduce the worlds major climate regions and examine in detail the topics of atmospheric circulation and climate variability with focus on the following themes: Global circulation patterns, large scale weather systems, regional scale systems and local scale controls, Milankovitch cycles, millennial, centennial, inter-annual and decadal variability, The Little Ice Age, El Nino as well as other oscillations and phenomena in addition to extreme climate events and key elements of southern African climate. 

Part 3) Catchment Scale Studies 
The course concludes with a local scale introduction of terrestrial systems in the Western cape and examines the nature, dynamics and changes associated with stream catchments, surface water, land cover, estuaries, wetlands and coastlines. It addresses issues of development, management and monitoring.

Course outline: The course aims to develop an understanding of key concepts and principles in the fields of sustainability, integrated environmental management and disaster risk science. It also comprises an applied component where students are introduced to various methods and tools for analysing environmental problems and integrating risk reduction as well as sustainability principles into planning and decision-making processes.

The course equips students to engage critically in current debates in the above disciplines of sustainability, disaster risk science and integrated environment management and apply selected assessment tools and management approaches to environmental problems in a variety of contexts. The course prepares students for entry into Honours programmes in Environmental Management and Disaster Risk Science.