Unit name | Fundamentals of Modern Glaciology |
---|---|
Unit code | GEOG20004 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Ros Death |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
GEOG10003 Key Concepts in Human and Physical Geography and GEOG10002 Geographical History, Thought and Practices |
Co-requisites |
N/A |
School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit has three aims. The first is to provide students with a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of modern physical glaciology. Students will learn about the physical relationships between glacier size, climate and climate change; glacier motion and its environmental controls; the functioning of glaciers as dynamic hydrological systems; certain field techniques employed in glaciological investigations; and contemporary research issues in glaciology. The second is to introduce the principles ways in which solute is transported into, through and from glaciated catchments via different types of glaciers, varying in size, location and basal thermal regime. Students will also become conversant with elementary aquatic geochemistry, and understand the first order controls on the pH and Eh of glacial melt waters and the importance of carbonate equilibria in controlling many aspects of glacial meltwater geochemistry. The third aim is to introduce students to the microbiology of the cryosphere. Students will gain an appreciation of the types of microbes that colonise the different types of habitats contained within the cryosphere, and the microbiological processes they undertake and how they influence the chemistry of meltwater.
Structure and content (including sub-elements)
In summary, the aims of this Unit are:
On completion of this Unit students should be able to:
The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:
The unit will be taught through a blended combination of online and, if possible, in-person teaching, including
Individual executive summary write up (40%)
End of unit 72-hour take-home assessment (60%)
Both assessments test all of the ILOs.
Percentage of the unit that is coursework: 40%
Percentage of overall unit mark involving group work: 0%
Recommended Reading: