Glacial geology and geomorphology
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- GEOV230
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English.
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
Objectives: The course introduces periglacial processes and forms, glaciology, and glacial geological processes and landforms in solid rock and sediments. The effects glaciers and ice sheets have, and have had, on the formation of the landscape, such as mountains, valleys and fjords, are the central themes of the course. The aim is also that the students should be able to describe and classify the most important glacial deposition types and be able to prepare a Quaternary geological map and field report.
Content: The course starts with a field course in Western Norway, where sediments and landforms produced by glaciers are studied and mapped. The lectures provide an introduction to glaciers, mass balance, glacier motion and glacier hydrology. A short overview is given on other Quaternary landforms resulting from chemical and physical weathering, avalanches, and rivers. The description and interpretation of the sea level changes during and subsequent to the last ice age is also included in the subject. The glacial process of the Scandinavian ice sheet is presented, emphasising the course of deglaciation towards the end of the last ice age in Norway.
The assessment is based around a group research project including a group report and map from the field course, and two individual exercises in interpreting glaciated and glacierised landscapes.
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 key glaciological terms and definitions
- explain small scale erosion and deposition forms
- explain how glacial landscapes are formed
- explain the genesis and classification of glacial deposition forms
Skills
The student can
- make independent field observations
- recognise geological processes and glacial geological erosion and accumulation forms
- describe and interpret glacial erosion and deposition forms in the field
- write an individual field diary/notebook
- prepare and report field data in writing and display data graphically
- justify interpretations
- prepare a Quaternary geological map
- interpret graphs and figures
- conduct searches for relevant literature as well as refer to literature and set up reference/literature list
General competence
The student can
- use a precise geological language for describing and discussing geological processes and events
- recognise, evaluate and communicate humanity's role in, our independence of, and impact on Earth systems and sustainability.
- demonstrate the ability to work individually and ethically together with fellow students
- conduct fieldwork on excursions in accordance with GEO/UiB's HSE guidelines
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Autumn
The subject has limited capacity. Info: www.uib.no/en/matnat/53431/admission-courses-limited-capacity
Place of Instruction
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
10 sp overlap with GEO111 (Geography) and GEOV106
5 sp overlap with UNIS course AG204