Introduction to ESW: Research challenges and societal applications

Course goals

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the students will have acquired:

• Knowledge of current research frontiers and societal challenges in earth surface and water
• Competence in identifying the scientific and societal context of earth surface processes
• A critical perspective on the role of academic research in providing solutions and taking a leading role into a sustainable future.
• The ability to work together with others to apply relevant research methods and communicate outcomes

The course focuses on development of the following transferable skills:

• Excursion: Connect domain knowledge in Earth surface and water to applications and the observable reality outside.
• Problem-solving: Identifying and formalizing challenges in societal issues and identifying possible directions for solutions
• Ability to work in a team: Collaboratively working on research problems
• Verbal communication: Engaging in scientific discussion
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Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.

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Content

This is the introductory course to the Earth Surface and Water master program and includes an overview into content of the four tracks: ‘Coastal dynamics and fluvial systems’, ‘Natural hazards and geocomputation’, ‘Hydrology’, and ‘Water quality’, as well as a link to societal challenges related to the tracks and a five day long excursion in Germany and the Netherlands.
The course introduces each track and links to currently relevant societal questions and the contributions of scientific research towards sustainable solutions. During the excursion you are exposed to the living landscapes of the Dutch delta and the German Ahr valley where human interventions and the Earth system interact. We will focus on the scientific and societal aspects of living in such dynamic landscapes. The course also invests in working together and developing the interpersonal skills needed in a professional and academic setting.