Module GEOL3437: Polar Quaternary Environmental Processes

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL3437: Polar Quaternary Environmental Processes

Prerequisites

• • GEOL2171 Isotopes and Climate OR A level Chemistry (grade B or above) or equivalent qualification.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To use research-led teaching, including real-life data sets, to educate students about Antarctic and Arctic Quaternary environments.
• To inform about the development of terrestrial Antarctic and Arctic cryosphere during the Quaternary, with emphasis on permafrost and glaciers.
• To inform about the physical and chemical processes occurring in the terrestrial Arctic cryosphere, with emphasis on the carbon and nutrient cycles.

Content

• The Antarctic and Arctic in the Quaternary – research led history of the Antarctic and Arctic glacial and periglacial environment.
• Glacier and Ice-Sheet formation.
• Glacier hydrology.
• Glacier biogeochemistry.
• Impact of climate change on glacier biogeochemistry.
• Permafrost formation.
• Permafrost hydrology.
• Permafrost biogeochemistry.
• Impact of climate change on permafrost biogeochemistry.
• Research frontiers – student-directed analysis and discussion of current research.

Learning Outcomes

• Through research-led learning students will develop a depth of knowledge and research skills in Quaternary history, glacial processes and permafrost processes and the impact of climate change on the Antarctic and Arctic terrestrial cryosphere. The module particularly emphasizes skills that are relevant to independent research and written communication, preparing students for future dissertation-style learning opportunities.
• Students will use geochemical datasets to understand the impact of climate change on the cryosphere.
• Students will use recent governmental reports (e.g., the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports) to understand the impact of climate change on the cryosphere.

• Understanding geochemical datasets.
• Quantitative understanding of the terrestrial Antarctic and Arctic carbon cycle.
• Compiling information from a variety of sources to draw conclusions about a problem.
• Evaluating and understanding the quality of data and research.
• Making scientific posters.

• Inter-relation of different branches of science (geology, physics and chemistry)
• Thinking on a nano- to global scale
• Quantitative reasoning, especially regarding the impact of climate change
• Reading Government reports about the impact of climate change on the Antarctic and Arctic
• Writing summaries of key papers
• Discovery, synthesis and understanding of information
• Communication of novel findings to peers and end-users
• Structure and clarity in written communication

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

• The module is delivered via 10 three-hour timetabled sessions. Each 3-hour session will combine a 1-hour lecture covering the content outlined, with a 2 hour practical session to expand on concepts introduced in lectures, including group work and presentations.
• Students will write a two-page research proposal to request money for a research project on a topic related to permafrost and climate change. Students will select their topic from a list provided.
• There will be one in-class test on topics related to glaciers and permafrost.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Practical class work will be formatively assessed in a 30-minute class recapitulation at the end of each 3-hour session. This summary recap will involve presentation of group work to make posters and to summarise literature from the field of polar environmental processes.

■ 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