2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Architecture and Building Engineering Graduate major in Urban Design and Built Environment
Processes Geomorphology for Disaster Mitigation
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Urban Design and Built Environment
- Instructor(s)
- Chiaki Oguchi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Tue (G3-117(G311))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- UDE.S441
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Apr 6, 2026
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
1. To understand geomorphological processes (weathering, erosion, transportation, and sedimentation) through lectures and field excursions.
2. To consider problems accompanied by human activities such as environmental problems and natural disasters.
Course description and aims
This course is also related to the following curriculum policies:
1) to acquire specialized knowledge and skills through fieldwork-based lectures, and
2) to develop international perspectives through lectures conducted in English.
Furthermore, this course is designed based on the following diploma policies:
to accurately understand changes in the natural environment,
to understand the role of engineering in society, and
to address issues from a long-term, international perspective.
Keywords
geosphere material, rocks, soils, weathering, erosion, sedimentation, landform, geomorphological process, geology, natural hazards, stone architecture, archeological sites
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lecture and field excursion
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Guidance/ Map reading of topographical maps and hazard maps |
Pre- and post-class studies: 4h |
| Class 2 | Fluvial processes and flood disasters |
Pre- and post-class studies: 4h |
| Class 3 | Marine processes in tectonic areas |
Pre- and post-class studies: 4h |
| Class 4 | Mass movement and slope disasters |
Pre- and post-class studies: 4h |
| Class 5 | field excursion |
Pre- and post-class studies: 4h |
| Class 6 | field excursion |
Pre- and post-class studies: 4h |
| Class 7 | field excursion |
Pre- and post-class studies: 4h |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not specified.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Goudie, A. S. et al., (eds): Geomorphological Techniques (2nd ed.), Unwin Hyman Ltd, London, 570p.
Selby, M. J. (1993): Hillslope Materials and Processes (2nd ed.), Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, 480p.
Evaluation methods and criteria
.Presentation and discussion (40%) and reports (60%).
Related courses
- UDE.E511 ： Weathering Environments and Stone Evaluation
- EPS.A338 ： Earth System Science
- CVE.C311 ： Geotechnical Engineering in Practice
- CVE.C403 ： Geo-environmental Engineering
Prerequisites
You must enroll in the university’s insurance plan in advance.
Transportation costs will be required for fieldwork.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
oguchi.c.51dd[at]m.isct.ac.jp
Office hours
At any time. Please make an appointment by emails.