Module GEOG4051: GLACIAL GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY: FROM PROCESS TO APPLICATION

Department: Geography

GEOG4051: GLACIAL GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY: FROM PROCESS TO APPLICATION

Prerequisites

• Either (a) The Quaternary of Glaciated Regions (GEOG3511) or (b) Field Research in Glacial Environments (Iceland) (GEOG3691)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• GEOG4031 Practical Skills in Sea Level Science; GEOG4041 Advanced Catchment Science, GEOGNEW05 Erosion and Orogenesis

Aims

• To develop postgraduate level knowledge about the sediments, landforms and stratigraphy of glacial sedimentary environments
• To provide field and practical based training in the survey, analysis and interpretation of glacial materials with a view to serving and communicating with a variety of end users

Content

• Lectures in the first part of the module provide background material on the sedimentology and geomorphology (processes and products) of glaciated terrains. This is followed by a field investigation of a complex glaciated terrain comprising stratigraphic and sedimentological analysis of sediment exposures, complemented by geomorphological mapping of the surface forms from aerial photographs, satellite imagery and digital elevation models. This is augmented by follow up workshops on micromorphology, quantitative analysis of field data, map and section log production and manipulation of available secondary data from the study area such as borehole records, sediment cores and other sedimentary archives.

Learning Outcomes

• Secure an advanced understanding of the sedimentology, geomorphology and stratigraphy of glacial sedimentary environments both modern and ancient
• Master the application of a detailed knowledge of sedimentary process/form relationships to professional field and laboratory investigations in glaciated terrains
• Develop a postgraduate level of critical evaluation of the interpretation of glacial sedimentary sequences and associated landforms

• Plan, design, execute and report at a postgraduate research level on a team-based investigation of glacial sediments, stratigraphy and landsystems
• Undertake advanced fieldwork and laboratory analysis of field samples while taking due regard for safety and risk assessment at a professional standard
• Employ at a professional level a variety of technical and laboratory-based methods for the analysis and presentation of spatial and sedimentological/stratigraphic information, including field sedimentology, micromorphology, GIS, aerial photograph interpretation, geomorphology mapping, borehole database management)
• Conduct advanced quantitative methods on, and synthesize a complex and large data set, and present project results at a professional standard ready for publication in a scientific journal

• Critical analysis and interpretation of data at a research level appropriate to a masters degree
• Planning, executing and reporting to a professional standard on intensive field-based investigations of glacial sedimentary environments
• Solving problems and making reasoned decisions
• Communicate effectively and professionally in written, oral and graphical media
• Apply advanced numerical and computational skills to complex data sets
• Identify, retrieve, interrogate and assimilate complementary data from primary and secondary sources

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

• Lectures provide an overview of the main concepts in advanced glacial sedimentology and formulate the context for the fieldwork programme, involving familiarization with and synthesis of complex location-based and conceptual literature
• Seminars encourage students to engage directly with the relevant literature and to deliver reasoned assessments of critical debates in glacial sedimentology and geomorphology.
• The field trip allows data acquisition by a co-ordinated investigation team and individually allows the implementation of field skills and best practice in field notebook management previously developed at Levels 1-3
• Post fieldwork workshops involve primary and secondary data collation, analysis and preparation using laboratory-based techniques and advanced statistical and GIS software
• Students will present their data and interpretations in project presentation seminars. This will be summatively assessed (20% of module total)
• Summative assessment is undertaken on a final project report (80% of module total)

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Oral feedback during student-led seminars and the fieldtrip; Written feedback on preparation of Oral Field Project Presentation

■ 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