COURSE OUTLINE

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Academic Organisation: Griffith School of Engineering
Faculty: Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
Credit point value: 10
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Course level: Undergraduate
Campus/Location/Learning Mode: Gold Coast / On Campus / In Person
Convenor/s: Dr Nicholas Cartwright (Gold Coast)
Enrolment Restrictions: Nil
This document was last updated: 24 November 2008
BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is the first Coastal Engineering specialisation course offered as part of the BEng (Civil) degree. In this
course students will be introduced to the fundamental coastal hydrodynamic processes that are an
essential consideration in coastal engineering and coastal science. Students will also be introduced to
coastal structural design and coastal transport processes which will form the foundation for subsequent
courses in the Coastal Engineering specialisation. Laboratory and field activities will support the lecture
and workshop components of the course.
Pre-requisite: 2002ENGFluid Mechanics and Hydraulics or equivalent


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SECTION A TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
COURSE AIMS
3110ENG Introduction to Coastal Engineering. Estimation of coastal hydrodynamic conditions is an
essential part of engineering practice and design in the coastal environment. Coastal engineers need to
firstly understand coastal hydrodynamic processes to be able to quantify them through the application of
both coastal hydrodynamic theories and data analysis techniques. Once such a knowledge base on
coastal hydrodynamics has been established students will then be introduced to the basics behind coastal
structure design and coastal processes which will form the basis for the other coastal courses taken as
part of the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) degree program.
During the course, opportunities will be given to develop a range of generic skills including written
communication skills, problem solving skills and analysis and critical evaluation. Students will also have
the opportunity to practice and enhance their ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to
assume responsibility and make decisions.
Assumed Knowledge: Basic Fluid Mechanics (eg. 2002ENG); University Level Calculus (eg. 2001ENG)
Aim: This course aims to familiarise you with coastal hydrodynamic processes including wave and tide
generation and behaviour, and to enable you to evaluate these processes as part of determining
hydrodynamic design conditions in the coastal environment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
In terms of technical content, the student, upon successful completion of this course, should be able to:
1. Identify the significant coastal hydrodynamic processes that need to be considered in coastal
engineering design projects;
2. Determine the hydrodynamic design conditions in coastal waters based on the evaluation of
appropriate theories and data analysis techniques;
3. Collect and interpret observations from both physical and numerical laboratory experiments and
effectively communicate the findings via a written report;
4. Understand the basic uses and design considerations of coastal structures.
CONTENT, ORGANISATION AND TEACHING STRATEGIES
The course content is developed through the lecture series which will have tutorials embedded in them
where problem solving exercises elaborating the lecture material will be introduced. Additional homework
problems will be provided to further develop the material covered in the lectures.
This is supported by the laboratory activities which provide students with the opportunity to clarify their own
ideas on the content material, to develop teamwork and necessary problem solving skills, and to develop
written communication skills. In addition, the sessions will assist students to develop competency in the
interpretation and analysis of the experimental data.
CONTENT SUMMARY
The ability to determine the hydrodynamic design conditions in the coastal environment is an essential part
of most coastal engineering tasks. The study of coastal hydrodynamic processes and the theories used to
predict them provides the basis for a coastal design engineer. Students will study water wave theory; wave
generation and transformation; tide and storm surge prediction; coastal hydrodynamic data analysis
techniques; and will then be given a preliminary introduction to coastal structures and coastal processes.

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A complimentary laboratory and field observation program will provide a hands-on experience for
students to visualise some of the hydrodynamic processes described in the lectures. This component will
also develop the students measurement, data analysis and written communication skills.

Module Content
1. Introduction: Overview of Coastal Engineering
2. Water Waves
3. Wave Transformation (refraction, diffraction and reflection)
4. Surf Zone Hydrodynamics
5. Coastal Water Level Fluctuations (tides and storm surges)
6. Wave Generation
7. Analysis of Natural Waves
8. Coastal Sediment Transport and Morphodynamics
9. Introduction to Coastal Structures

The total contact hours for this course are 58, consisting of 52 hours of lectorials (2 x 2 hours for 13
weeks) and 6 hours of labs (2 hour physical lab and 2 x 2 hour computing lab).
ASSESSMENT
The assessment in this course consists of a combination of laboratory reports; a mid-semester exam and a
final exam. Through the analysis of the activities in the laboratory reports, students data analysis and
interpretation skills and written communication skills will be assessed.
The mid-semester test and final examination tests the student's understanding and knowledge of the range
of topics covered in the course as well as the ability to apply that knowledge to quantifying coastal
hydrodynamic design conditions.
Summary of Assessment
Item Assessment Task Weighting Length Relevant
Learning
Outcomes
Due Day and Time
1.
Experimental
laboratory report
10%
Pre-
formatted
report
1, 2, 3
1 week after your lab class
(Note 1)
2. Mid-semester Exam 25%
1hr 30m
1, 2
Friday Lecture, Week 7
(Note 2)
3.
Computer modelling
report
15%
Approx. 1000
words 1, 2, 3
1 week after your last
computing lab class
(Note 3)
4. End of semester exam 50% 3 hrs 1, 2, 4 Exam period (Note 4)
Assessment Details
1. Details of the laboratory assessments will be provided in class and made available on
Learning@Griffith. Attendance at the experimental laboratory is compulsory.
2. The mid-semester test will be closed book and will consist of five questions randomly selected
from the homework questions.
3. Details of the computer modelling assignment will be provided in class and made available on
Learning@Griffith.
4. The final exam will be closed book based on all topics covered during the semester.

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Note: To be eligible for a passing grade in this course, students are required to: attend the experimental
laboratory session; achieve an overall mark of 50% and achieve at least 50% in the end of semester
exam.
Return of Assessment Items
The marked mid-semester test will be returned and reviewed in a lecture within 2 weeks of sitting the test.
Marked laboratory reports will be returned to students within 2 weeks following submission.
Notification of Availability of Feedback on Assessment
Marks, and the model answers, for the mid-semester test will normally be posted on the course website on
Learning@Griffith on the day of returning the tests. The solutions will be reviewed in the lecture one week
after the test.
Marks, and the model answers, for the two problem based assignments will normally be posted on the
course website on Learning@Griffith on the day of returning the sets.
Marks for the laboratory and field trip reports will normally be posted on the course website on
Learning@Griffith on the day of returning the reports.
GRADUATE SKILLS
The Griffith Graduate Statement states the characteristics that the University seeks to engender in its
graduates through its degree programs.

Graduate Skills


T
a
u
g
h
t


P
r
a
c
t
i
s
e
d


A
s
s
e
s
s
e
d

Effective communication (written)
Effective communication (oral)
Effective communication (interpersonal)
Information literacy
Problem solving
Critical evaluation
Work autonomously
Work in teams
Creativity and innovation
Ethical behaviour in social / professional / work environments
Responsible, effective citizenship








TEACHING TEAM

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Convenor Details Gold Coast
Course Convenor Dr. Nick Cartwright
Email n.cartwright@griffith.edu.au
Office Location Room 1.29, Building G09
Phone 5552 9214
Fax 5552 8065
Consultation times Will be posted on the board outside the Convenors office.
Course Moderator: Dr Hong Zhang, Room 1.22, Building G09
COURSE COMMUNICATIONS
The course site on Learning@Griffith will be the primary course communication method to students. The
course Announcements will be used to convey important information to students such as: assignment
details, model answers, and the availability of assessment results.

The Course Convenor will be available for face-to-face consultations at the times announced on the course
site on Learning@Griffith. Queries may also be addressed to the course convenor by email.
TEXTS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Supporting Materials
Handouts of the lecture slides and other supporting materials will be made available on Learning@Griffith
during the semester.
Recommended texts and references
No specific text is prescribed for this course however the following references are recommended as useful
sources of information relating to this course.
Dean, R. and Dalrymple, R. (2002) Coastal Processes with Engineering Applications, Cambridge
University Press. Available as an e-book via the Griffith University Library.
Dean, R. and Dalrymple, R. (1991) Water Wave Mechanics for Engineers and Scientists, World Scientific
Press. Available as an e-book via the Griffith University Library.
Kamphuis, J. W. (2000) Introduction to Coastal Engineering and Management, World Scientific Press.
Masselink, G. and Hughes, M. G. (2003) Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology, Hodder
Arnold Publishers, London.
Nielsen, P. (2009) Coastal and Estuarine Processes, World Scientific Press.
Sorensen, R. M. (2005) Basic Coastal Engineering, 3
rd
Edition, Kluwer Academic.
Svendsen, Ib A. (2005) Introduction to Nearshore Hydrodynamics, World Scientific Press.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Manual, - available free online from
http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/CHL.aspx?p=s&a=ARTICLES;104
Young, I. R. (1999) Wind Generated Ocean Waves, Elsevier. Available as an e-book via the Griffith
University Library.




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SECTION B ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
Students should refer to the Learning@Griffith website for further information about this course.
School of Engineering Course Administration Policy
Unless otherwise stated, the normal course administration policies and rules of the School of Engineering
apply. For the policy, see School of Engineering Students Organisation on Learning@Griffith.

SECTION C KEY UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Students must conduct their studies at the University honestly, ethically and in accordance with accepted
standards of academic conduct. Any form of academic conduct that is contrary to these standards is
academic misconduct and is unacceptable.

Some students engage deliberately in academic misconduct, with intent to deceive. This conscious, pre-
mediated form of cheating is one of the worst forms of fraudulent academic behaviour, for which the
University has zero tolerance and for which penalties, including exclusion from the University, will be
applied.

However the University recognises many students commit academic misconduct without intent to deceive.
These students may be required to undertake additional educational activities to remediate their behaviour.
Specifically it is academic misconduct for a student to:
Cheat in examinations and tests by communicating, or attempting to communicate, with a fellow
individual who is neither an invigilator or member of staff; by copying, or attempting to copy from a
fellow candidate; attempting to introduce or consult during the examination, any unauthorised
printed or written material, or electronic calculating or information storage device; or mobile
phones or other communication device, or impersonates another.

Fabricate results by claiming to have carried out tests, experiments or observations that have not
taken place or by presenting results not supported by the evidence with the object of obtaining an
unfair advantage.

Misrepresent themselves by presenting an untrue statement or not disclosing where there is a
duty to disclose in order to create a false appearance or identity.

Plagiarise by representing the work of another as their own original work, without appropriate
acknowledgement of the author or the source. This category of cheating includes the following:
1. collusion, where a piece of work prepared by a group is represented as if it were the student's
own;
2. acquiring or commissioning a piece of work, which is not his/her own and representing it as if it
were, by
purchasing a paper from a commercial service, including internet sites, whether pre-written
or specially prepared for the student concerned
submitting a paper written by another person, either by a fellow student or a person who is
not a member of the University;
3. duplication of the same or almost identical work for more than one assessment item;
4. copying ideas, concepts, research data, images, sounds or text;
5. paraphrasing a paper from a source text, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, without
appropriate acknowledgement;
6. cutting or pasting statements from multiple sources or piecing together work of others and
representing them as original work;
7. submitting, as one own work, all or part of another student's work, even with the student's
knowledge or consent.


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A student who willingly assists another student to plagiarise (for example by willingly giving them their
own work to copy from) is also breaching academic integrity, and may be subject to disciplinary action.
Visit the Universitys Institutional Framework for Promoting Academic Integrity Among Students for further
details.

PLAGIARISM DETECTION SOFTWARE
The University uses plagiarism detection software. Students should be aware that your Course Convenor
may use this software to check submitted assignments. If this is the case your Course Convenor will
provide more detailed information about how the detection software will be used for individual assessment
items.


HEALTH AND SAFETY
Griffith University is committed to providing a safe work and study environment, however all students, staff and visitors
have an obligation to ensure the safety of themselves and those whose safety may be affected by their actions. Staff
in control of learning activities will ensure as far as reasonably practical, that those activities are safe and that all safety
obligations are being met. Students are required to comply with all safety instructions and are requested to report
safety concerns to the University.

General health and safety information can be obtained from http://www.griffith.edu.au/hrm/health_and_safety/

Information about Laboratory safety can be obtained from
http://www.griffith.edu.au/ots/secure/health/content_labsafety.html

KEY STUDENT-RELATED POLICIES
All University policy documents are accessible to students via the Universitys Policy Library website at:
www.griffith.edu.au/policylibrary. Links to key policy documents are included below for easy reference:
Academic Calendar
Academic Standing, Progression and Exclusion Policy
Assessment Policy
Examinations Timetabling Policy and Procedures
Guideline on Student E-Mail
Health and Safety Policy
Institutional Framework for Promoting Academic Integrity Among Students
Policy on Student Grievances and Appeals
Student Administration Policy
Student Charter

UNIVERSITY SUPPORT RESOURCES
The University provides many facilities and support services to assist students in their studies. Links to
information about University support resources available to students are included below for easy
reference:
Learning Centres - the University provides access to common use computing facilities for educational
purposes. For details visit www.griffith.edu.au/cuse
Learning@Griffith - there is a dedicated website for this course via the Learning@Griffith student portal.
Student Services facilitate student access to and success at their academic studies. Student Services
includes: Careers and Employment Service; Chaplaincy; Counselling Service; Health Service; Student
Equity Services (incorporating the Disabilities Service); and the Welfare Office.
Learning Services within the Division of Information Services provides learning support in three skill areas:
computing skills; library skills; and academic skills. The study skills resources on the website include self-
help tasks focusing on critical thinking, exam skills, note taking, preparing presentations, referencing,
writing, proof reading, and time management.

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