Teaching subjects

The Fluvial Group teaches the following courses:

I have taught them all (with the exception of river dynamics) for many years, during my career at Utrecht University. However, the names and contents have changed over time.

Physical geography of the Netherlands

Aim:
To acquire an understanding of the evolution of the Netherlands, and the relation between the 'geofactors' rock type, relief, climate, water, soil, air, flora, fauna and humans in different regions.
Description:
The course involves the geological history of the Netherlands, including the occurrence of natural resources; geomorphology of the Netherlands, and research methods used in the Netherlands. Other factors influencing the present landscapes are studied subsequently: climate, soils, water, vegetation, fauna and humans. The course concludes with a regional subdivision of the Netherlands. Practical exercises, and a written report are part of the course.
Course lay-out:
32 hours of lectures (2x2 hours per week), 32 hours of practicals (4 hours per week) literature study, individual assignments and practical work, individual paper (max. 10 p.) about the literature.
Teacher:
Dr. E. Stouthamer (with occasional support by H.J.A. Berendsen and K.M. Cohen).
Credits:
7.5 ECTS credit points, second year
Average Enrollment:
40 students per year.
Examination:
Multiple-choice examination, assignments.
Literature:
Four books are being used:
The series 'Physical Geography of the Netherlands', first published in 1996-1997, was completely revised in 2005. All the books now contain a CD-ROM with powerpoint presentations, and all the figures from the books in colour.
Lecturing Physical Geography of the Netherlands before PowerPoint existed. Now the whole course is taught using PowerPoint.

Fieldwork in the Rhine-Meuse delta (Veldwerk Laaglandgenese)

Aim:
To learn to carry out (field) research. This includes critical reading of literature, formulating a problem, carrying out the research and writing a report.
Description:
The field course 'veldwerk laaglandgenese' has been part of the curriculum of physical geography at Utrecht University since 1959; from 1973 to 2005 I have supervised this field course. Due to my early retirement the field course is now supervised by Dr. E. Stouthamer. The course involves a thorough exercise in geomorphological and geological mapping (scale 1:10,000) of part of the Rhine-Meuse delta in the Netherlands, during a period of 6 weeks in the field, including an introductory intensive course of 2 weeks. An additional two weeks are available for writing of a report with maps and cross sections.
The course involves:
  • an excursion (1 week)
  • an introductory course in the field (1 week)
  • training in the application of GIS and computer programs
  • fieldwork (4 weeks)
  • Writing a report, including maps and cross sections (2 weeks)
Present teachers:
Dr. E. Stouthamer, Dr. K.M. Cohen, Dr. W.Z. Hoek and Ph.D. students, with occasional support by H.J.A. Berendsen.
Credits:
15 ECTS credit points, second year
Average Enrollment:
30 students per year.
Examination:
Oral and written exam, cross sections and maps, written report.
Literature:
Berendsen, H.J.A. (2006), Handleiding voor het veldwerk laaglandgenese. Faculteit Geowetenschappen, 15e druk.
The Giessen, a former tidal creek, in the western part of the Alblasserwaard (picture: H.J.A. Berendsen).

River dynamics

Aim:
To acquire an understanding of water and sediment behaviour in river systems.
Description:
River processes that determine river pattern, gradient, sediments, water- and sediment movement, channel form and bedforms on various time scales.
Teacher:
Dr. J.H. van den Berg
Credits:
7.5 ECTS credit points, third year
Average Enrollment:
20 students per year.
Examination:
Written exam.
Literature:
reader by Dr. J.H. van den Berg.
Stability diagram.

Global Change (formerly known as Quaternary Geology)

Aim:
To acquire an understanding of climate change over different time scales.
Description:
The course involves the morphodynamics of landscapes under the influence of climate changes on time scales of 102 - 106 years. Subjects: lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy en geochronology; methods of the study of climate change, with an emphasis on deep sea studies and ice-core studies; sea-level studies; dating methods; causes of climate changes; possible effects of future climate change, numerical climate modelling.
Present teacher:
Dr. H.Middelkoop.
Credits:
7.5 ECTS credit points, third year
Average Enrollment:
30 students per year
Examination:
Written exam.
Literature:
Bradley, R.S. (1999), Paleoclimatology. Reconstructing climates of the Quaternary. Academic Press, London
The course Global Change is concerned with climates of the past (e.g. the Ice Ages), present, and future (e.g. greenhouse warming). Picture by H.J.A. Berendsen, taken in Kluane National Park, Canada.

Applied Quaternary Geology

Aim:
To learn how projects are run in real life.
Description:
The course involves the application of physical geographic information to a practical problem, e.g., building a bridge, a harbour, an airport. The course is partly played as a game: the student gets a certain amount of money to carry out research, and each research step (e.g. coring) costs a certain amount of money. When the budget is spent, a report has to be written with recommendations to the contractor who is going to build the structure. The course also includes critical evaluation of reports written by others, and oral presentation of results for various types of administrators.
Present teacher:
Dr. H.Middelkoop.
Credits:
7.5 ECTS credit points, fourth year
Average Enrollment:
30 students per year
Examination:
Assignments, oral presentations, written reports.
Literature:
Berendsen, H.J.A. (2002), Applied Quaternary Geology. Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University
Large sums of money are often wasted without even considering the simplest geological information.

Methods in Quaternary Geology

Aim:
To learn different methods applied in Quaternary research.
Description:
During this course students learn to use several research methods, e.g., heavy-mineral analysis, gravel analysis, pollen analysis. In addition, various dating methods are studied, e.g. C-14 dating, OSL-dating and tephro-chronology.
Present teacher:
Dr. W.Z. Hoek.
Credits:
7.5 ECTS credit points, fourth year
Average Enrollment:
10 students per year
Examination:
Practicals, written reports.
Literature:
Walker, M.J.C. (2005), Quaternary dating methods. Chicester: Wiley.
Standard collections for heavy-mineral and gravel analysis.

MSc fieldwork

Aim:
To learn to carry out (field) research on your own. This includes critical reading of literature, formulating a problem, carrying out the research (and organizing it) and writing a report.
Description:
Fieldwork in the Netherlands (Rhine-Meuse delta), the U.S.A. (Mississippi delta), Canada (Columbia River), Germany (Lower Rhine Embayment and Upper Rhine Graben), Italy (Po plain or Ombrone River delta)
Present teachers:
Dr. K.M. Cohen, Dr. W.Z. Hoek, Dr. H. Middelkoop, Dr. E. Stouthamer and Ph.D. students. After 2005 H.J.A. Berendsen will supervise no new MSc. students.
Credits:
15 ECTS credit points, fourth year.
Average Enrollment:
2-10 students per year
Examination:
Written report.
Literature:
Various papers, depending on the subject and area of study.
The Mississippi delta. New Orleans is visible in the northern part of the image (NASA). Note the enormous amount of silt deposited by the river.