GEOG30K7: ICE AGE ENVIRONMENTS

• Any Level 2 Geography module

• None

• None

• To provide a comprehensive examination of Ice Age environments drawing on a range of case studies from the British Isles
• To provide an advanced understanding of the causes and consequences of climatic changes on long and short timescales during the Quaternary Period (last 2 million years)
• To provide theoretical and practical experience in the use of sedimentological and stratigraphic techniques in reconstructions of glacial and interglacial palaeoenvironments

• Ice age environments
• Palaeoglaciology
• Interglacial environments
• The nature of the Quaternary record in Britain
• Fluvial records of Quaternary environmental change
• Human occupation in the Quaternary
• The Quaternary of the southern North Sea and East Anglia
• Field class weekend trip to East Anglia
• Quaternary climate change lessons for the future

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• On successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to:
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the variable and time-transgressive nature of ice-sheet and glacier response to climate change using a range of case studies in Quaternary stratigraphy
• Critically assess the concept of sequence and event stratigraphies with reference to onshore/offshore correlations of glacial landsystems
• Evaluate the use of landforms and sediments and their contained floral and faunal remains in reconstructing Quaternary environmental change
• Provide a critically reasoned overview of the Quaternary history of the British Isles based upon applications of lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic and geomorphological information

Subject-specific Skills:

• On successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to:
• Reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental history of a site within a formerly glaciated region based upon standard sedimentological and stratigraphic procedures
• Critically analyse the applicabilities, timescales and problems associated with evaluating the spatial and temporal reconstructions of Quaternary glaciations and interglacials in a range of topographic settings

Key Skills:

• Reconcile published interpretations with their own observations
• Access, critically analyse and interpret information from multiple sources relevant to the Earths Quaternary glacialinterglacial record

• Lectures will be used to impart basic facts and information necessary to fulfil the aims of this course
• The fieldtrip will provide students with the individual and group working skills and the understanding to describe and interpret glacial and interglacial sediments in the field using a range of techniques.
• The field trip is supported by practical workshops, providing guidance for preparation of the field report.
• Summative assessment is designed to test students ability to assimilate data in a coherent report.
• Formative feedback provides support in understanding of key concepts and design of final report.

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