Quarternary Sea-Level Changes

Teaching semester

Fall

Objectives and Content

Objectives:
The course aims to provide a deeper insight into the large and rapid sea-level changes that characterize the Quaternary period as well as the processes that caused these changes globally and locally. This also includes knowledge about the methods that are used to reconstruct these changes and the connection with climate change and the growth and decay of the large ice sheets.

Content:
The course deal with topics as eustasy and isostasy as well as oceanographic, climatic and other factors that have had an influence on the seal-level changes during the Quaternary period. It will be given a theoretical as well practical introduction to studies of past sea-level changes and their causes. There will be a focus on the development in Scandinavia, but methods and results from other areas will also be dealt with. A brief field course is included. This includes lake coring in so-called isolation basins that are utilize to reconstruct past sea-level changes along the coasts of Scandinavia.

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

• explains the most important processes that have an influence on sea-level changes, including isostasy, eustasy, geoid deformation, temperature and salinity
• explains the connection between climate, glacier variations and sea-level
• explains the most important methods that are utilized to study sea-level changes in different parts of the world, with a focus on the geological archives

Skills
The student

• has a good knowledge about theories, methods and causal connections related to past, recent and future sea-level changes
• is able to mediate (by word of mouth and in writing) important expert knowledge about sea-level changes during the Quaternary
• explore and interprets geological archives, including sediment sequences contained in lake basins, that are being utilized to reconstruct past sea-level changes

General competence
The student

• has a good knowledge of theories, problems, methods and causal connections about past, present and future sea-level changes
• can mediate orally and written important expert knowledge about sea-level changes during the Quaternary
• is able to plan and carry through geological investigations (for example a master degree project) aiming at studying sea-level changes along the coast of Norway

Required Previous Knowledge

GEOV101, GEOV102, GEOV110

Recommended Previous Knowledge

GEOV110

Access to the Course

Access to the course requires admission to a programme of study at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, 4 hours per week for 15 weeks

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Compulsory attendance on seminars and field course

Approved report from field course

Compulsory work are valid for two subsequent semesters.

Forms of Assessment

The form of assessment is:

Written examination (4 hours)

Permitted tools: Non-programmable calculator, according to the faculty regulations.

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Assessment Semester

Examination both spring semester and autumn semester. In semesters without teaching the examination will be arranged at the beginning of the semester.

Reading List

The reading list will be available within June 1st for the autumn semester and Deecember 1st for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated by the students in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the department.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.

Course Coordinator

The course coordinator and administrative contact person can be found on Mitt UiB, or you may contact studierettleiar@geo.uib.no

Course Administrator

The Faculty for Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth Science has the administrative responsibility for the course and program