This document outlines the schedule and topics for a 12-week course on river environments. Over the 12 weeks, students will study physical factors influencing river channels and valleys, hydraulic geometry, river regimes, the hydrological cycle, river flows and flooding, and the human impacts on rivers. They will complete case studies on the Mississippi and Colorado rivers. Students will also work on a coursework assignment and presentations, and have a fieldtrip during weeks 7-8 to reinforce their learning. Revision will take place during weeks 10-12 in preparation for exams.

1. 3 rd Dec -17 th Dec. Week Twelve- end To be determined by student need & exam timetables Revision 26 th Nov Week Eleven ?to develop ? 19 th Nov Week Ten Complete Mississippi & Colorado case studies Management Challenge & Impact of People 12 Nov Week Nine Student presentations (PowerPoint)– channelisation, dams, urbanization, water quality issues, over extraction of water (need to learn three) Part b’s of past question! Impact of Human Activities on river environments 29 Oct/ 5 th Nov. Week Seven and Eight Coursework/ Fieldtrip 15 Oct Week Six Changing river channels, 2001 question 2 a (meander) Erosion & transportation – revise. Use cartoons/ clip art/ other materials to annotate cross-section (poster size). River Load Physical Factors influencing channel & valley characteristics 8 Oct Week Five Review of basic principles weathering & erosion River profiles & cross sections. Reading –photocopied notes May 2002 Qu.2 Hydraulic Geometry of River Channels – calculations, photocopied notes Physical Factors influencing channel & valley characteristics 1 Oct Week Four Soil water budget –read page 6 & 7, notes (from core text) River regimes – read page 11, notes (Start of Coursework) Jan 2003 Paper 1 Impact of hydrological cycle on fluvial systems 24 Sept Week Three Past question b – study River Nile past question. Complete rest of question (as a small group activity). Examination of mark scheme (as whole group) River Flows & Flood Hydrographs 17 Sept Week Two Complete flow diagram of the basin run-off system Write a short description and explanation of the hydrological cycle. Compare your description as a means of presentation compared with the flow diagram. Read age 8-11 in core text (prep for next topic) Global Hydrological Cycle 10 Sept Week One Outline of Probable Tasks to be included. Other starter & plenary activities will be key parts of the lessons. Learning will be further supported by the blog: http://geographyroom.blogspot.com Specification Key Area Date (wk beg) River Environments