Traditionally, geomorphology has been a largely descriptive discipline, focusing on the evolution of landscapes.
Modern geomorphology is more quantitative and focuses on the processes which give rise to form.
In this class, the modern approach will be emphasized, and most of the class time will be devoted to understanding processes acting on the surface of the earth, and then showing how these processes give rise to specific landforms. The course will in general follow the path of material weathered from bedrock and transported from hillslopes to rivers to oceans. The primary objective is that, by the end of this course, students will be able to look at the shape, vegetation, and climate of specific landscapes and be able to make a reasonable guess as to the processes of transport, and how these processes give rise to the specific landforms. The students should also be able, for a few specific landforms, to take field measurements and quantify the transport processes. Two Field Trip Assignments comprise half of the grades for the course.