Field in climatology 1

lclim2170  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Field in climatology 1
5.00 credits
60.0 h + 30.0 h
Q2
> Schedule

This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2025-2026
Teacher(s)
Vanacker Veerle;
Language
French
> English-friendly
Prerequisites
It is necessary to have passed succesfully the courses on « Geomorphology (LGEO1331) », « Remote sensing (LGEO1343) », Geography of Belgium (LGEO1381)  or equivalent courses in geography. Exchange students need to contact the lecturers before the start of the semester as to guarantee a place for the 5-day excursion.
Main themes
Two-yearly field excursion, organised for students of the Master programmes in geography. Field excursion to the French (Pre)Alps organised in June.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

The competences that will be developed in this course are :
  • Capacity to identify, characterise and analyse environmental problems in the field, based on field observations and measurements
  • Capacity to present alternatives for sustainable development of the environment in relation to the conceptual models that have been presented during the courses (LGEO2140, LGEO2210, LGEO2110).
  • Capacity to understand and use correctly the terminology of physical and human geography during debates and discussions in the field
At the end of the course, the students will have
  • Developed an interest for geographical questions related to sustainable development and climatic change that are present in the alpine region
  • Reinforced their capacity to work in team
 
Content
This course aims to (1) analyse alpine ecosystems, with specific focus on physical geography and human and socio-economic geography, and (2) apply geographical techniques and methods to acquire field data (including geomorphological mapping, questionnaires, and GPS surveys).
The following topics are discussed during the field excursion: sustainable development of a rural and remote mountainous region, conservation of biodiversité and the environment, human-landscape interactions, and climate variability and change over the last 15.000 years and its impact on natural risks.
Teaching methods
Biennial field excursion organised for Master students in Geography. 5-day excursion in the (pre-)alpine mountain ranges in June 2026.
Alternation between classical field excursion with stops on specific viewpoints, and field measures in small groups (questionnaires, geomorphological mapping, analysis of fluviomorphology). Individual presentations by the students during the field excursion, on a geographic theme, and that is based on a solid literature review.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation is based on three components:
  1. A project on one of the four transversal themes that will be addressed during the excursion. This project is based on the review of a minimum of two to three scientific papers and/or book chapters.
  2. An oral presentation of your project during the field excursion. The presentation needs to incorporate the elements that were discussed during the excursion, the complementary articles and/or book chapters and the obliged reading materials. 
  3. Contructive participation during the field campaign, measurements, reports and discussions.
Other information
Participation in the field excursion is mandatory. The field excursion is organized only once during the year. It is impossible to redo them in the second session, or in another year. 
Online resources
The material is available on the Moodle page of the course.
Bibliography
The scientific articles that are discussed during the course are available through DIAL and moodle.
Teaching materials
  • matériel sur moodle
Faculty or entity
> GEOG


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Geography : Climatology
CLIM2M
5