Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
This course forms part of a major which provides students with the skills to work in the Water and Environmental sector of the Civil and Environmental Engineering profession. The course covers both fundamental and advanced topics in waves, design wave statistics, wave spectra, refraction, reflection and diffraction of water waves, wave set up and runup, sediment transport, morphology and morphodynamics, beach erosion problems and their migration, ocean coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics, tides, fluid loads and design principles of offshore and nearshore structures and estuarine mixing.
In this course you will extend your knowledge of fluid mechanics to understand the natural processes occurring in estuarine,ﾠcoastal and ocean environments. Recent coastal disasters, such as the devastating Japanese tsunami in 2011, rising sea levels, storm surges, and coastal cyclones, along with increasing coastal development and coastal infrastructure requirements, make it imperative that coastal engineers have current and innovative knowledge of the relevant processes and skills to collect and analyse relevant data, and solve complex coastal and estuarine problems. Overseas examples of coastal and estuarine processes and problems include Bangladesh storm surges and tsunamis affecting Niugini, Indonesia and Japan.
This is an exciting course as learning activities includes major field study at Brunswick Heads, where student groups collect coastal and estuarine data through a 24.5 hour tidal cycle. You and your group members will prepare a group report on your field data and present the collective findings on a particular topic, e.g., observed tidal dynamics in the estuary or surf- and swash-zone observations from the beach, in an oral group presentation to your class.
The field trip will commence on Sunday, 11th August and will finish on Monday 12th August. You will be expected to demonstrate resourcefulness and organisational skills, as you will be required to organise transport for yourself to and from the field site, and provide for your own accommodation (such as a tent on the river, local caravan park or hotel) food and water and safety requirements (eg hat, sunscreen, closed-in shoes that can go into the water, sun protection clothing, raincoat, extra warm clothing, torches, batteries, tarpaulins for sun and rain shelter, etc).
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MATH1051 and MATH1052 and (ENGG1400 or ENGG1700) and CIVL2131
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL2530 and CIVL2135
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CIVL4111
Course contact
Lecturer
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor David Callaghan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
will be given in lectures and/or via Blackboard if required.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to ocean, coastal and estuarine processes relevant to ocean, coastal and estuarine engineering and coastal & estuarine management praxis.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Essential (assessable) learning objectives - Describe and explain a range of ocean, coastal and estuarine processes (hydraulic and sedimentary processes driven by waves and/or tides) using both words and illustrations
LO2.
Essential (assessable) learning objectives - Solve quantitative ocean, coastal and estuarine problems
LO3.
Essential (assessable) learning objectives - Collect field data (e.g. tide level, velocity, temperature, salinity measurements) and produce professional field data reports
LO4.
Essential (assessable) learning objectives - Prepare a written site/data report on your fieldwork that describes and explains the teams field site and methodology, including instrumentation, present the data using annotated tables and graphs, and describes and explains the analysis and interpretation of the results
LO5.
Essential (assessable) learning objectives - Prepare and deliver a team oral presentation (with slides) that describes one topic (e.g. wave setup or salinity) for the whole field trip using data collected by all teams and data from public data sources. Respond to questions related to your teams presentation.
LO6.
Developing (non-assessable) learning objectives - Plan and implement, as an effective, organised, resourceful and reliable team member, a small coastal and estuarine field project, during which you exhibit behaviour that accommodates the local community views and activities, ecologically sustainable practices and legal requirements.
LO7.
Developing (non-assessable) learning objectives - Describe and explain in clear, lay language your fieldwork activities to interested/concerned members of the community.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration |
Wave observations and calculations
|
5% individual, identifiable |
23/07/2024 |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Problem solving sessions
|
(formative assessment) |
5/08/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Attendance and professional participation in field
|
15% Individual, identifiable |
11/08/2024 - 12/08/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation |
Site description, data file and presentation.
|
20% Group tasks |
20/08/2024 8/10/2024
Site report due for distribution 20/8/24. Oral presentations will take place during 8/10/24 lecture. |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
60% 3hour short answer, open book. Hurdle: 45% for final exam required to pass the course. |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Wave observations and calculations
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 5% individual, identifiable
- Due date
23/07/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Observe wave motion and the wave-induced motion of the sand bed as an introduction to the natural processes studied during the course
Make simple measurements and calculations of derived quantities like wave speed and water particle velocities for comparisons with theories developed through the course.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Detailed description of laboratory experiment and data analysis due at the end of the lab session.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Problem solving sessions
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- (formative assessment)
- Due date
5/08/2024 - 25/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
The weekly tutorial problems will help you prepare for the final exam.
1. Word and illustration problems
2. Mathematical problems
You will complete the problem solving exercises during tutorials assisted by the lecturer.
The tutorial problem solving exercises are formative assessment to help you learn and practise the lecture material and prepare for the end-of-semester examination. Marks received for the tutorial problems will NOT count towards your final grade. It is imperative that you attend all tutorials, attempt all tutorial problem solving exercises (rather than simply copying out the solutions later) and take the opportunity to ask the lecturer to clarify unclear points, so that you will be able to pass the end-of-semester examination and graduate.
To demonstrate the technique of marking problems in the end-of-semester examination, the tutorial problems (formative assessment) will be marked on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 'Excellent'.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Not a submissible item.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
No extension as these are formative activities conducted during the tutorials.
Attendance and professional participation in field
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 15% Individual, identifiable
- Due date
11/08/2024 - 12/08/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Two-day field trip. Further information will be provided on Blackboard.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Attendance and professional participation in fieldwork. Not a submissible item.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Site description, data file and presentation.
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 20% Group tasks
- Due date
20/08/2024
8/10/2024
Site report due for distribution 20/8/24. Oral presentations will take place during 8/10/24 lecture.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Fieldwork group report, excel file and oral presentation
Group field data file
Form a team and plan and undertake a small 25.5 hour fieldwork project, in conjunction with the class, that collects data according with the fieldworkbrief. Enter data into a Microsoft Excel file for analysis by your group members and by other groups (label data accurately and informatively as the rest of the class will use selected data from your data file and report for their oral presentations).
Group report
Prepare a written team report on your fieldwork that describes your field site using relevant photographs and survey information, includes tables and graphs of your data, describes and explains the collected data and discusses the analysis and interpretation of the data. Include references to the literature to support your description, explanation and discussion. The required sections of the report are:
- Summary
- Introduction
- Site description
- Methodology & instrumentation
- Results and discussion
- Conclusion
- Reference list
Group presentation
Each group will present their results to the class using slides. Important - before your presentation, please email the coordinator your report and Excel data file.
- Introduction
- Site description
- Methodology & instrumentation
- Results and discussion
- Conclusion
Peer assessment will be used if required.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Before your presentation, please email the coordinator your report and Excel data file.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60% 3hour short answer, open book. Hurdle: 45% for final exam required to pass the course.
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
The final exam will include short answer and problem solving questions.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, a student must achieve at least 45% on the final exam.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Materials | You will need to take your hard-copy textbook (Nielsen 2009) to the examination. |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Deficient knowledge of the course material and lack of problem solving capacity. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Some demonstrated knowledge of the course contents but less than satisfactory ability in problem solving and/or in collecting, describing, analysing, interpreting and explaining field data. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Slightly less than satisfactory ability to solve problems in the course area and/or to collect, describe, analyse, interpret and explain field data. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfactory ability to solve problems of familiar types and to collect, describe, analyse, interpret and explain field data that is informed by the literature and is generally clearly expressed. Work often resembles the standard of a professional engineer. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Solid ability to solve problems of familiar types and to collect, describe, analyse, interpret and explain field data that is informed by the literature and is generally well expressed. Work resembles the standard of a professional engineer. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Excellent ability to apply the course content to familiar types of problems and some ability to cope with previously unexperienced problems. Excellent ability to collect, describe, analyse, interpret and explain field data that is informed by the literature, expressed well and shows some instances of original and insightful thinking. Work reflects the standard of a professional engineer. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Excellent ability to apply the course contents to new and different problems as well as previously practised ones. Excellent ability to collect and analyse, field data. Showing many instances of original and insightful thinking. Work reflects the standard of a professional engineer. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
In case of illness during field trip supplementary practical task will be given (data collection and/or analysis).
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
** You will need to have a hardcopy of the text book for the open book exam **
Of course, having the book from the start will greatly assist your study. Reading the set pages in advance for each lecture is strongly recommended. Your own solutions to the tutorial problems are also likely to be useful at the final examination.
Recommended Journals
Coastal Engineering
Journal of Coastal Research
Journal of Geophysical Research
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, ASCE
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lectures Bring your hardcopy textbook - Nielsen 2009 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Practical |
Laboratory Observe wave motion and wave induced sand motion. Make basic measurements, eg water depth, wave period and wave height. Calculate simple derived quantities like wave speed and water particle velocities for comparison with theories developed through the course. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Weekly problem solving sessions assisted by the lecturer. Bring your hardcopy textbook - Nielsen 2009 Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 3 |
Fieldwork |
Field trip to Brunswick Heads NSW (two days) Field data collection on coastal and estuarine processes through a full 25 hour tidal cycle. Documentation of field conditions. - Data analysis as quality control. The field trip will be from Sunday 11th August - Monday 12th August. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L06, L07 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
- Student Travel
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: