NIGK23007U Glacial Geoscience

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics with a minor subject
 

Content

This course teaches state-of the art subjects and research within the field of Glacial Geoscience.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

Glacial dynamics in a changing climate with a focus on mass loss, sea-level, meltwater production, sediment transport, and landscape modification from the glacial source through the proglacial fluvial system. Landscape development is studied at various temporal scales from long term steady states to rapid extreme events exemplified trough cases from Greenland, Antarctica and Denmark. Dynamic processes, sediment transport and morphological response from glaciers to the sea. This will include Glacial processes; Fluvial processes; Erosion and deposition of both sediments; Formation glacial landscapes; Sea-level triggers, response and fingerprinting

 

Skills:

  • apply, evaluate and analyse methods, theories and data related to the course subjects.
  • carry out some of the more common calculations and tasks related to glacial processes.
  • analyse and discuss data-sets from studies dealing with glacier dynamics, sediment transport and landscape development.
  • give a short, concise and well-illustrated oral presentation on the basis of scientific papers.
  • write a short, concise report aimed at colleagues within the business world, public institutions or research institutions.

 

Competences:

The aim of the course is to provide a broad basis for studies of processes in glacial environments and to understand their response to climate change and sea level fluctuations. At the end of the course the student will have an understanding of the most important processes in glacial environments and associated landforms. The student will have an understanding of the impacts and feed-backs of climate change with respect to geomorphology. The student will understand the importance of observations and hypothesis testing and should be able to design studies within the field of glaciology and glacial geomorphology. The student will have knowledge about strengths and weaknesses associated with common methods and analysis procedures used within this field of research and should be able to make a professional-style oral presentation and back it up by a short, concise report.

 

Literature

 Please see Absalon course page.

BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics or equivalent is recommended.
The form of teaching is theory exercises combined with ad hoc lectures. For the teaching plan, please see Absalon.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 171
  • Theory exercises
  • 35
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, Ongoing preparation throughout the course
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam

Resubmission of written assignment, handed in prior to the re-examination week.

Twenty minutes oral examination without preperation. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see learning outcomes.