Entry requirements

120 credits with 90 credits in earth science and Dynamics of Earth Systems - Global Chang, 10 credits. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe the long-term global environmental changes that characterise the Cenozoic and Quaternary
• Explain the proposed forcing mechanisms for these climatic transitions and consider their interactions
• Assess the major debates over key transitions in global climate, such as the Mid-Pleistocene revolution, the onset of Quaternary glaciation, and the development and global impact of the Asian monsoon system
• Explain the key climate proxy methods used in reconstruction of palaeoclimate

Content

The transition to Quaternary ice age conditions is marked by numerous major climatic changes and forms part of a longer trend of global cooling over the Cenozoic. This course considers debates about the nature and forcing of these fundamental shifts in the Earth system over multi-millennial and tectonic timescales, such as the onset of the Quaternary, the mid Pleistocene revolution and the onset of monsoonal circulation. Students will discuss and engage in environmental change reconstruction using studies of key long-term archives such as loess and marine sediments as well as consider the proposed tectonic forcing mechanisms that shape our current climate epoch.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, and exercises.

Assessment

The course is graded based on a written examination (3 credits), participation in exercises and seminars (1 credit), and the written and oral presentation of a project (1 credit).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.