GEOG 213: Introduction to Geomorphology
Course Description
Geomorphology is the study of landforms and landscapes and the processes that act to modify the Earth’s surface. As such it is a crucial element in our understanding of many environmental challenges confronting us today. This course is about Earth’s landscape, its present form and the processes responsible for its large-scale organization. Its goal is to provide students with an appreciation of how the landscape around them formed and its continued evolution with particular focus on landscapes of British Columbia, western North America and Canada.
In this course we will seek answers to the following questions: What are the fundamental concepts of Geomorphology? How are mountains built? What controls topographic relief? Where do landscape materials come from? How do they get from mountain tops down to valley floors? Can we differentiate between landscapes formed by rivers, glaciers and ground ice? Has 570 million years of life on this planet affected the large-scale topographic organization of the Earth’s surface? Have human activities affected the form of the landscape?
This course includes a 2-day experiential learning component. It is recommended to students interested in geography, earth science, natural resource management, and anyone who is curious about their natural surroundings. It is a foundational course in most syllabi for Professional Geoscience (P. Geo.) accreditation by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEG BC) and the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG).
