| Unit name | Sea Level past, present and future |
|---|---|
| Unit code | GEOG30008 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Bingham |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
GEOG20003 The Earth System |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This new unit will combine two elements: an existing 10-lecture component from GEOG35200 on the future contribution of ice sheets to sea level change and existing (although currently not presented) material on past fluctuations in sea level. It is anticipated that the unit will comprise up to ~20 lectures and a computer-based practical. A report based on the latter will comprise 33% of the unit’s assessment, while the remainder will come from a two-hour unseen paper with a section from each part of the unit (two essay answers each comprising 33%).
The unit will review the evidence for past fluctuations in sea level, as well as the phenomena that this evidence has revealed such as the existence of meltwater events and potential instability of the ice sheets. It will then go on to look at evidence for recent change in the ice sheets and glaciers of the world, as well as the processes thought to be responsible. Finally, both the geological and contemporary evidence will be assessed within the context of the recent IPCC assessment report.
Although the unit is offered without prerequisite, some knowledge of glaciological processes is desirable such as is provided in GEOG25040. Support in the form of a small number of preliminary revision lectures and additional reading will be offered to students that have not done GEOG25040.
1. Revision - flow physics
2. Revision – surface mass budget
Element one: Past fluctuations in sea level
Element two: Present and future sea level
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
Practical Report and Synthesis 2000-word essay (50%)
End of unit 2000-word essay (50%)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GEOG30008).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
