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This concentration begins with a balanced introduction
to hydrology, geomorphology, pedology, biogeography and climatology.
Students are then exposed to more advanced study of environmental
issues and the management of natural resources. Materials
are generally taught in a system context and emphasis is placed
on the integration of these various fields. Most courses also
develop workshop, laboratory and/or fieldwork skills.
This concentration area is recommended for students who are
interested in the physical environment and how it is manipulated
by humans at a variety of levels. Students who wish to focus
on this concentration area may also develop skills in remote
sensing and/or statistical and data analysis.
These courses have also attracted students from Biology,
Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science, who will be
able to used the skills developed to solve real world problems
that require the integration of data from a variety of sources.
Courses in this category:
GRM 2201 Geomorphology *
GRM 2203 Soil Science
GRM 2221 Weather and Climate *
GRM 3202 Environmental Management
GRM 3203 Urban Environmental Problems
GRM 3204 Applied Geomorphology
GRM 3206 Landscape Ecology
GRM 3208 Applied Climatology
GRM 3211 Environmental Monitoring
GRM 3221 Hydrology and Water Resources
GRM 3222 EIA Workshop
GRM 3223 Leisure and Eco-tourism
GRM 3224 Recreation Planning and Management
*: Required course
GRM 2201 Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the scientific study of landforms and the
processes that create them. The course covers basic concepts
and methods of geomorphology, mineral and rocks, weathering
and associated landforms, slope processes and landforms, fluvial
geomorphology and coastal geomorphology.
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GRM 2203 Soil Science
This course examines the properties and characteristics of
soils, and their relationship with the environment, with special
emphasis on humid tropical soils of South China and Hong Kong.
The formation, use, degradation, amelioration and sustainable
management of soils will be discussed. Both theory and application
are emphasized. Field trips and laboratory practicals are
required.
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GRM 2221 Weather and Climate
This is a physical geography course about the atmosphere,
weather and climate. The course provides students with knowledge
of the atmosphere, the atmospheric processes as the driving
forces of weather and climate, the weather systems and finally
the world climates and their changes. Illustration of weather
elements and the related fundamental physical principles and
ideas, as well as their applications in studying weather and
climate, will be emphasized. Major concepts and principles
of meteorology and climatology constitute the core of this
course. Weather systems and climate will be examined from
a global perspective, yet with a regional focus on China and
East Asia.
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GRM 3202 Environmental Management
This course critically examines the interrelations between
human activities and the environment, analyses the nature
and roots of environmental problems, evaluates the effectiveness
of various environmental management options and discusses
the complexities of environmental policy-making.
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GRM 3203 Urban Environmental Problems
This course examines the nature of noise, air and water pollution
in cities and discusses the effects of these pollution problems
on the urban population. Particular emphasis is placed on
the use of pollution prediction models to assist environmental
impact assessment and planning.
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GRM 3204 Applied Geomorphology
This course is concerned with the practical use of geomorphology
in situations where humans wish to alter landforms and/or
earth surface processes. It includes the study of geomorphic
processes that affect and are affected by human activities,
the analysis of problems where humans have disturbed these
processes, and the use of geomorphology in environmental management.
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GRM 3206 Landscape Ecology
The course examines how ecosystems in South China and Hong
Kong are structured, functioned and changed with time. The
ecological rehabilitation of degraded lands caused by erosion,
quarrying, deforestation, fire and infrastructure development
will be discussed, followed by an examination of urban forestry,
woodland transformations and nature conservation in Hong Kong.
Field trips are compulsory.
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GRM 3208 Applied Climatology
This course concentrates on applications of climatology and
climatic water budget to a variety of environmental analyses,
such as climatic classification, weather indices, agriculture,
air pollution urban planning, transportation and human health.
It also includes a simple way to calculate the components of
water budget on either a monthly or daily basis from readily
available climatic data. (Students are advised to take GRM2221
before taking this course.)
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GRM 3211 Environmental Monitoring
This course covers: (a) Concepts - including recognition of
environmental change; and spatial and temporal components
of change; (b) Approaches to monitoring (supported by selected
case studies) - including general purpose, background monitoring;
impact measurement; exposure based monitoring; continuous
recording (in situ; satellite); and sampling (practices, reliability,
replicability) and (c) Management of Monitoring Programs -
including environmental data bases; pollution modeling; and
decision-making.
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GRM 3221 Hydrology and Water Resources
This course aims to offer students a broad exposure to the
basic concepts and principles of hydrological science and
thus to help them understand various technical and policy
issues in water resources management. Focus is placed on all
components of hydrologic cycle and the integration of hydrologic
processes for understanding runoff generation mechanisms at
the hillslope and watershed scales. The concept and analysis
of water balance are emphasized throughout the course. Principles
and techniques of water resources management are also introduced
along with case studies in mainland China and Hong Kong.
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GRM 3222 EIA Workshop
Through actual examples and practicals, this course provides
hands-on experiences of the EIA practice. Particular emphasis
is placed on the basic concepts and methods of environmental
assessment and the major steps of the EIA process in Hong
Kong including collection of background information, baseline
monitoring, computer modelling, report production, public
consultation and post-decision monitoring and audit. (Prerequisite
GRM 3203 or ENS 4240)
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GRM 3223 Leisure and Eco-tourism
This course explores the attitudes and ideas of leisure, as
well as the methodologies behind leisure activities in a global
perspective. Specifically, it attempts to integrate the continuum
of leisure and ecotourism over a range of spatial and temporal
scales. The potential development of ecotourism in Hong Kong
to meet recreation demand, conserve the natural environment
and generate economic benefits will be examined and compared
with the same in an underdeveloped economy, where appropriate.
A problem-based approach will be adopted and students are
expected to learn from project work which involves the design
and management of ecotourism in the local environment. Field
trips will be provided to enhance students' learning experiences.
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GRM 3224 Recreation Planning and Management
A course aims to provide students with a general understanding
of recreation and leisure in our society. Individualized topics
include: (1) History and Philosophy of Recreation and Leisure;
(2) Recreation Resource Management; (3) Commercial Recreation
(Tourism and Resort Management); (4) Recreation and Wilderness
Resources; (5) Park Design, Planning and Management; and (6)
Community Systems and Leisure Services.
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