Description
Coastal areas form a boundary between two different worlds, terrestrial land and the ocean. Coastal zone definitions vary widely throughout the world but coastal zones can be seen as dynamic zone of interaction between the land and the sea, where the sea influences the land and vice versa. They are continually shaped and influenced by physical processes as well as different organism have adapted to these volatile environments. In this course students will learn about these processes and main physical and biological features of the ocean and coastal areas. It includes an introduction on the main properties, functions and principles of the coast and the ocean, including properties of seawater, oceanic and coastal circulation, biological productivity of different marine environments and marine ecology. The last part of the course deals with human presence in the ocean and physical factors influencing human settlements in coastal areas. As a part of that theme students will participate in a 3 day fieldtrip in the Westfjords where workshops will be held.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will:
- Understand how the coast and the ocean ‘work' through various meteorological, physical and ecological principles and processes.
- Be able to effectively participate in discussions and deliver
presentations using academic terminology and/or layman terminology used
in the field of coastal and marine management.
- Understand the role of oceans as a source of food and energy and the
large scale environmental problems humans have induced with uses of
oceans' different resources.
- Be able to address the main natural aspects and processes that govern human uses of coastal and marine areas.
Instructor
Sigríður Ólafsdóttir is the former program director (2008-2009) for the Coastal and Marine Management master´s program at the University Centre of the Westfjords. She earned a master's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Iceland and did pioneering work on the sustainability of coastal management and utilization in Iceland for her final thesis. She also holds a BSc degree in Geology and Geography and has been a teacher of environmental studies at the high school level. Ms. Ólafsdóttir has experience in the media sector and worked reporting weather, nature and environmental issues for local television in Iceland. She also holds a professional guiding license and a captain's license for small vessels.
