Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 3 x 2 Hour Practicals |
| Lecture | 12 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Individual Poster Presentation Extended Essay 3,500 words. | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Group research proposal - written Written Group Research Proposal | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Group research proposal - oral Conference-Style Poster | 10% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Seen semester 1 exam | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary assessment -individual poster Resubmission of failed components Resubmission of failed components | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary assessment - essay on glaciological method Resubmission of failed componentsc | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary assessment - individual oral presentation Resubmission of failed components | 10% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Supplementary exam Resubmission of failed components | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Evaluate and define the concept of palaeoglaciology, and assess the fundamentals of ice sheet reconstruction and its global and scientific significance.
Interpret the nature of evidence for Quaternary and ancient glacial successions, and evaluate former glacier dynamics and thermal regime.
Synthesize relevant literature by producing high-quality written reports outlining current scientific debates and methods used in palaeoglaciology.
Summarise a topical debate within palaeoglaciology by designing and producing a conference-style poster.
Explain the scientific background, appropriate methods and key deliverables of a hypothetical research project within palaeoglaciology by giving an oral presentation and producing a written research proposal.
Brief description
The module will introduce the students to the fundamentals of palaeoglaciology and the nature of the evidence from which former ice sheets may be reconstructed. Subsequent lectures will provide students with the full details of this evidence and explain how existing and former glaciers and their sedimentary products can be researched and interpreted. Students will be introduced to techniques used in palaeoglaciological research through contemporary case studies and practical activities complementary to the lecture material. The module is assessed through individual coursework components, group work and a seen Semester 1 examination.
Aims
2. To outline and exemplify a range of methods used in palaeoglaciology.
3. To develop effective team working skills.
4. To enhance scientific communication skills.
Content
Introduction to Palaeoglaciology
Timescales of glaciations.
The Earth’s glacial record
Ancient glaciations, Snowball Earth and alternative hypotheses.
Landforms and dating techniques in palaeoglaciology
Glacial vs non-glacial landforms, dating techniques in palaeoglaciology, importance of subglacial thermal regime.
Glacier landform-sediment assemblages
Criteria for identifying glacial landsystems.
Ice sheet analogues
Attributes of contemporary ice sheets, attributes of former ice sheet beds.
Attributes of contemporary and palaeo ice sheets
Ice-stream flow, ice sheet growth and decay, palaeoclimatic records.
Major palaeoglaciological events
Heinrich events, D/O-cycles, outburst floods, climatic and oceanographic consequences.
Glacial phases beyond the ice sheets
Younger Dryas and Little Ice Age glaciations.
Workshop on research proposal and poster presentations
Research proposal conference (4 hour student-led conference session)
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Students will undertake numerical analyses in some of the workshops. |
| Communication | Designing conference poster and presenting it; producing and delivering oral seminar presentation; semester examination; contributing to group work |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Researching, reading and synthesizing of literature for extended essay and research proposal; time management skills; oral and written communication skills; team work and peer review. |
| Information Technology | Producing poster presentation (PowerPoint); producing seminar presentation and visual aids (PowerPoint); submission of documents via Blackboard (eLearning); using ArcGIS during workshops. |
| Problem solving | Defining and designing poster presentation; producing research proposal; producing seminar presentation; written examination. |
| Research skills | Defining and designing poster presentation; preparing for and sitting semester examination; developing research proposal; producing seminar presentation. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Increase in geographical and geological knowledge, and awareness of contemporary issues in glaciology and palaeoglaciology |
| Team work | Producing written research proposal and presenting it at a research conference. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6