ILAS Seminar-E2 :Geo-Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention
| Numbering Code | U-LAS70 10002 SE50 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second semester | |
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| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | seminar | |
| Target Year | Mainly 1st year students | Target Student | For all majors | |
| Language | English | Day/Period | Tue.5 | |
| Instructor name | KOCH, Michael Conrad (Graduate School of Agriculture Program-Specific Assistant Professor) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
The first half of this course introduces students to the processes and mechanism of natural phenomena associated with environmental hazard and disaster. Being able to identify governing factors for the phenomena can help students find innovative solutions to prevent and reduce natural disaster risks. The course covers basic scientific theories and application that can enhance students' ability in modeling and analysis of the governing factors as well as the assessment of potential risk. The second half of this course introduces frameworks for vulnerability assessment which dovetails into geohazard assessment and management practice. This section also covers the important concept of Environmental Impact Assessment as a means for anthropogenic disaster mitigation. |
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| Course Goals | On successful completion of the course, students can be expected (1) to understand basic soil mechanics and hydraulics of groundwater, (2) to integrate these concepts to explain the failure mechanism of geo-disasters like landslides, (3) to analyze specific state-of-the-art disaster mitigation technologies and (4) to perform basic vulnerability, impact and disaster risk assessment. | |||
| Schedule and Contents |
1. Introduction to geo-disasters in the environment 2. Basic soil mechanics and hydraulics of groundwater (1) 3. Basic soil mechanics and hydraulics of groundwater (2) 4. Basic soil mechanics and hydraulics of groundwater (3) 5. Understanding mechanism of geo-hazard in the environment (1) - landslide, ground subsidence, internal erosion beneath river embankments 6. Understanding mechanism of geo-hazard in the environment (2) - landslide, ground subsidence, internal erosion beneath river embankments 7. Mechanism of earthquake-related geo-hazards - liquefaction, tsunami 8. State-of-the-art disaster mitigation technologies 9. Understanding vulnerability: political, physical, social, economic and environmental factors 10. Student presentation 11. Basic concepts of geo-hazard assessment and management - mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery 12. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for disaster mitigation (1) 13. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for disaster mitigation (2) 14. Student presentation 15. Examination 16. Feedback |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
- Class performance (25%) - Assignment report (20%) - Oral presentation (40%) - Examination (15%) |
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| Course Requirements | Beneficial but not mandatory: basic mathematics and physics (high school level). Students must be willing to work with basic mathematics. | |||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | Students are expected to be independent in finding online resources to attain relevant issues of discussion during seminar to enhance student interaction and understanding during classes. There will be penalty for failure to attend the course (up to three classes) on routine schedule. | |||
| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | Additional study materials and handouts will be distributed. | ||
