Module GEOG2531: GLACIATION

Department: GEOGRAPHY

GEOG2531: GLACIATION

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide an understanding how glacier-related systems vary, and affect landforms and deposits.
• To develop skills in identifying, mapping and analysing glacial landforms and deposits.
• To provide a foundation for level 3 elective modules which may include, inter alia, the Specialised Aspects 'Mountain Glaciation' and 'Antarctica'.
• To provide suitable approaches and topics for dissertations.

Content

• Glacier generation and flow.
• Relations of glaciers and ice shelves to atmosphere and oceans.
• Water in and from glaciers.
• Landforms of glacial and meltwater erosion and deposition.
• Glacier-related sediment-landform systems (glacial, glaciofluvial and glaciomarine).

Learning Outcomes

• Students are expected to be able to: Display knowledge and understanding of glacial and related processes.
• Show ability to identify glacial and related landforms, and to discriminate between different glacial-related deposits.

• Demonstrate skills on morphological mapping or stratigraphic interpretation.
• Execute a project on a specialised topic concerned with one of the module's themes.

• Abstract information from multiple sources.

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

• To provide students with an outline of key debates in the topic area, to discuss the literature that students should explore, and give examples and case studies at a range of different spatial and temporal scales.
• The student preparation and reading time is partly devoted to writing the tutorial essay and partly to the general and specific reading suggested by staff in lectures.
• The fieldwork considers the effects of the last ice sheet and the Loch Lomond Stadial in Northern England.
• The project allows students to acquire and practise skills in the analysis of maps, air photos or stratigraphy.
• The project gives students an opportunity to explore a specialised topic, e.g. interpreting glacial deposits in Northern England, or landforms from aerial photographs and maps.
• The tutorials provide a forum for discussion of the reading, the fieldwork and the project.
• The end of the year examination is a summative test of students' knowledge, understanding and analytical skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

In line with Board of Studies policy for all Level 2 optional modules, formative assessment is provided through formative feedback on summative coursework.

■ 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