Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)
Module GEOG2531: GLACIERS AND GLACIATION
Department: Geography
GEOG2531: GLACIERS AND GLACIATION
| Type | Open | Level | 2 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2019/20 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To provide an understanding of glacier systems
- To provide an understanding of the erosional and depositional landforms and sediments produced by glaciers
- To provide an understanding of how glaciers interact with the ocean-climate system
- To develop skills in identifying, mapping, modelling and analysing glacial landforms and deposits
Content
- Glacier systems and mass balance
- Water in glaciers
- Glacier flow
- Marine glaciers and ice shelves
- Glacier modelling
- Glacier erosion: processes and landforms
- Glacier deposition: processes and landforms
- Glacial sediments
- Ice marginal environments
- Glacier landsystems
- Glaciers and climate change
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- 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
Subject-specific Skills:
- Demonstrate skills on morphological mapping and apply and convey their knowledge of stratigraphic interpretation
- Execute a project on the mapping and modelling of glacial landforms
Key Skills:
- Students will be able to:
- abstract information from multiple sources
- analyse information from multiple sources
- interpret 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 reading time is devoted 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
- The project allows students to acquire and practise skills in the analysis of air photographs, field mapping and glacier modelling. The fieldwork, tutorial and practicals 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
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 13 | Weekly | 1.5 hours | 19.5 | |
| Lecture (fieldtrip H&S briefing) | 1 | 1.5 hours | 1.5 | ■ | |
| Lecture (incorporating 30 minute timed test) | 1 | 1.5 hours | 1.5 | ■ | |
| Tutorials | 1 | Term 2 | 1 hour | 1 | |
| Practicals (Term 1) | 1 | Term 1 | 2 hour | 2 | |
| Practicals (Term 2) | 4 | Term 2 | 1 hour | 4 | |
| Fieldwork | 2 | Term 2 | 8 hours | 16 | ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 154.5 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Exam | Component Weighting: 50% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| unseen exam | 2 hours | 100% | |
| Component: Project Report | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| project report, with maps, tables and figures | 5 x sides A4 (excl maps etc.) | 100% | |
| Component: Multiple choice timed test | Component Weighting: 10% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| multiple choice timed test based on fieldtrip teaching | 30 minutes | 100% | |
Formative Assessment:
Formative feedback is provided throughout the module via discussion of topics during the lectures, practicals and tutorials. Ahead of the summative assessment, students will be required to produce a draft map of a field area. Formative feedback will be provided on this map during the practicals and fieldtrip.
■ 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