Module GEOL3231: EARTH SYSTEM AND CLIMATE

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL3231: EARTH SYSTEM AND CLIMATE

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To relate the history of global glaciations in the context of the interconnectivity between different components of the Earth System.

Content

• Cycles of climate change: evidence and explanations.
• Understanding present and past climates: moving heat around, forcing functions and feedback, the evidence.
• Understanding the cryosphere - how ice sheets work.
• Milankovitch pacemaker.
• Evidence for rapid climate change.
• Climate change on geological timescales.
• The Monterey Event.
• The rock record and ancient glaciations.

Learning Outcomes

• To describe with reference to boundary and threshold conditions the processes governing present and past climates.
• To describe how cryosphere and carbon dynamics influence global climate.
• To critically evaluate the geological proxies for climate change.
• To critically evaluate current hypotheses for rapid climate change.
• To critically evaluate the value of solid Earth and general circulation models in climate simulation, hypothesis generation and testing.
• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in geological principles, terms, definitions and classifications.
• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in the Earth systems science.

• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to analyse, evaluate/interpret geological data.

• Evaluate performance.
• Identify and work towards targets for personal, academic and career development.
• Receive, respond to and critically evaluate a variety of information and data sources.
• Communicate effectively in written and graphical form.
• Prepare, process and interpret data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Use the internet critically in communication and an information source.
• Identify individual and collective goals.
• Recognise and respect the views of other team members.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is delivered through a series of flexible 3-hour class meetings which will include lecture, discussion and practical exercises, supported by handouts, directed reading and web and computer-based assignments.
• The discussions and exercises form an important component of the module encouraging learning and experience of tackling and solving problems individually in class, on DUO and in groups.
• Guidance on preparation, key and exam skills are provided.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Tutorial. DUO quizzes.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University