Terrestrial Climate and Environmental Changes

Teaching semester

Spring

Objectives and Content

This course introduces the student to how different exogenous processes can be used to reconstruct past and present terrestrial changes in climate, geomorphology and environment with emphasis on Norway. Individually, and under supervision, the student will carry out 4 theoretical tasks related to central themes of the course, and as part of a small group, and under supervision, carry out 3 field-based investigations dealing with climate and environmental reconstructions in the Bergen region.

Based on how the ocean-atmosphere interactions are reflected in exogenic terrestrial processes and landforms, including sea-level fluctuations, the course aims to present different methods to reconstruct past and present climate and environmental changes. The course also aims to discuss possible causes for these changes.

In connection with the field-based investigations, the students will be split into smaller groups with the purpose of collecting relevant field data, and use available scientific literature for discussing own results. Finally, each field-based investigation is to be presented as a written report using a professional language and disciplinary terms, and with adequate analysis, illustrations and referencing.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain what proxy data is, and how different proxies are used for reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can explain the most important exogenous agents and related processes which are linked to terrestrial climate and environmental changes in Norway.
• has knowledge about potential causes for terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• has knowledge about strengths and weaknesses for the most common dating methods used in the reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• has knowledge about the chronostratigraphic framework for NW Europe.

Skills

The student

• can evaluate the use of different proxy data for the reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can recognize the most important agents/processes which are related to climate and environmental changes in Norway.
• can discuss potential causes for terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can discuss strengths and weaknesses for the most common dating methods used in the reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can use the chronostratigraphic framework for NW Europe.

General competence

The student

• can perform a field project in accordance with the guidelines for proper behaviour and safety at the University of Bergen.
• can write an assignment and field report either alone or in a small group by using a professional language and disciplinary terms, make adequate analysis, and graphical presentations, and put own work into a wider context by finding and properly referring to relevant literature.
• can communicate orally and write an academic text on current issues regarding the research field of interest and relate it to the scientific literature.
• can exchange opinions with others having a background in the field, and provide constructive comments to their work.

Required Previous Knowledge

GEO110/GEO115, GEO111, GEO112/GEO113, or similar background.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

GEO204, GEO215, GEO217

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

GEO211 (10 ECTS)

Access to the Course

This course will be taught in English if we have applications from qualified exchange students. We have a limited number of places for exchange students with at least 60 ECTS in geography, including basic knowledge in physical geography and cartography. Apply to Department of Geography via email to grethe.meling@uib.no

Application deadline: 25 January 2018.

Teaching and learning methods

2 lectures/seminars á 2 hours pr. week

Total: 14-16 lectures/seminars.

3 days excursion/field work

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

• Participation in seminars, excursion and fieldwork.
• Oral seminar presentation based on a selected theme from the course text book/reading list.
• Four individual theoretical task reports from seminars.

Approved field reports and presentations will be valid for the following four semesters.

Forms of Assessment

Portfolio assessment (1/3) and 5 hours written exam (2/3).

The portfolio should include three reports from group wise field investigations.

Grading Scale

A-F

Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester. New written exam the following semester only for students who have a valid document of absence.

Course Evaluation

All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.