CLB331 Natural Hazards
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| Unit code: | CLB331 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 96 cp of study |
| Equivalent(s): | ERB201 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $5,952 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CLB331 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 96 cp of study |
| Equivalent: | ERB201 |
| Coordinator: | Scott Bryan | scott.bryan@qut.edu.au |
Overview
In CLB331 we will focus on the Science of Natural Hazards. By understanding the conditions and processes that lead to, and cause, severity of natural processes such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, cyclones, tornadoes, storms/blizzards, floods, bushfire, and asteroid impacts, you will be better informed as to why there are natural hazards and disasters, and how to prepare and mitigate for future events that will have a range of social, economic and political impacts. We will build on the knowledge and skills developed in Year 1 to provide you with a global perspective of how we, as a society, will continually be confronted by natural hazards.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Identify and describe the diversity of natural hazards, their processes and the potential implications on the environment and human populations.
- Explain the spatial and temporal distribution of natural hazards, and the circumstances that increase their severity, as a basis for predicting future risk.
- Use a qualitative and quantitative questionnaire to collect industry-relevant data on perceived risks to a range of natural hazards and analyse and interpret results.
- Work independently and collaboratively as a member of a diverse team on an industry-relevant project.
- Communicate the results of research in an oral format to a specialist audience.
Content
The major topics to be covered in this course will begin with defining natural hazards and understanding risk and vulnerability, and what makes a natural hazard become a natural disaster. We will then investigate the physical processes behind the main types of natural hazards including earthquakes and tsunamis, volcanism, a range of weather-related phenomena such as tropical cyclones, flooding, tornadoes, and storms/blizzards, bushfires, and extra-terrestrial threats such as from asteroid impacts. We will also focus on some of the more recent natural disasters, including flooding and cyclones that have affected so much of Queensland since 2010, to understand better the circumstances that increased their severity. As a developing scientist, you will be challenged to consider social, economic and political perspectives of natural disasters, and where human actions or inactions have been a significant factor in the severity of a disaster.
You can expect to spend up to 10 hours per week involved in attending all scheduled classes, preparing for and completing problem-solving tasks introduced in practical sessions, and working in a small group on your Applied Project that will involve undertaking your own independent research and readings to expand the breadth and depth of your learning.
Learning Approaches
Lecture/lectorial: 2 hrs/week
Practicals: 10 per semester, Up to 2 hrs/week
As a third year unit, you are expected to be an independent, self-directed learner and to take responsibility for your learning. As such, this unit makes use of problem-based learning approaches. Supporting this problem-based learning approach is a variety of different types of classes including formal lectures that provide the scientific background on the topics being investigated and rationale for problem-solving workshops and practical sessions. Problems addressed in workshops will be drawn from the exploration of issues specific to the range of natural hazards, such as understanding the basis for their prediction and mitigation. The Applied Project will be used to develop your skills in data collection, organisation and analysis, synthesis, and communication, as well as providing the opportunity to gauge and understand community perceptions of natural hazards and their perceived risk and vulnerability.
This unit also has a component of Work Integrated Learning, as the Applied Project addresses areas of current concern in the emergency and disaster management space, and your work will be assessed in consultation with industry experts.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
There are multiple opportunities for feedback are provided in collaborative and practical activities as well as related assessments. These opportunities include individual and group feedback on practical work, peer review of presentations and written feedback on Portfolio work.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment will include a Portfolio of practical problem solving tasks, a small group research project (Oral Presentation) and a final summative exam.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio
A compilation of your work produced during the practical workshops. Problem solving tasks undertaken in practical sessions will focus on:
- The Impact of Natural Disasters
- Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes
- Volcanic Eruptions; and 4) Extreme Weather impacts.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Project (applied)
A group-based exercise where you will conduct an investigative questionnaire-based study, discuss your results in a forum with your peers, and then report (Oral Presentation) group findings of people's perceptions of natural hazards and risks to emergency-management decision makers. The SE Queensland region has suffered significantly since 2011 from flooding, cyclonic winds and storms. You will use questionnaires to interview the public to gain responses to a variety of issues, and then critically assess the responses and consider how the public perception may vary, based on a variety of demographic factors (e.g., age, gender, location).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Exam
Summative examination using case studies of theoretical knowledge from the unit.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
All learning materials to support your learning in this unit will be made available in the unit Canvas site. The following text book is recommended to support your learning:
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Keller EA, DeVecchio DE. Natural Hazards: Earth’s Processes as Hazards, Disasters and Catastrophes. Prentice Hall.
Risk Assessment Statement
Currently, there are no out of the ordinary risks expected for this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.
Ethics clearance may be required to allow you to undertake interviews of the public regarding the perceptions of natural hazards and their risk/vulnerability to them.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Portfolio, Project (applied), Final Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Portfolio, Project (applied), Final Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, Project (applied) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO3, Project (applied) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Project (applied) - Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
Relates to: ULO4, Portfolio, Project (applied)
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Portfolio, Project (applied), Final Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Portfolio, Project (applied), Final Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, Project (applied) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO3, Project (applied) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Project (applied) - Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
Relates to: ULO4, Portfolio, Project (applied)