Entry requirements

Dynamic Geosystems, 10 credits, or Climate Variations, 5 credits.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student will be able to

• explain the basic physical principles in glaciology and glacial geology
• assess the impact of climate on glacier mass balance, movement and extent through indirect and direct feedback mechanisms
• draw conclusions about how today's glaciers in various regions are affected and will be affected by climate variability and its impact on future sea level changes
• apply glaciological hypotheses on the intreaction with the geosphere and the processes that mobilize, transport and deposit sediment and form the glacial landscape
• explain and examine glaciological methods that used in research today

Content

The course will review different topics within glaciology and glacial geology, such as glacial mass balance and energy balance, glacial mechanics and dynamics, glacial hydrology, glacial thermodynamics and temperature distribution, external and internal feedback mechanisms between glaciers and the surrounding environment, the effects of climate change and resulting sea level changes, ice cores as climate archives and climate history through the last glacial period, conditions for the existence and change of inland glaciers over time, glacial landforms and landform processes, glaciological methods and current issues.

Instruction

Teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, computer exercises and project work. Attendance in seminars, computer exercises and project work is obligatory.

Assessment

The course is graded based on a written examination (7 credits), exercises and seminars (5 credits), and project work (3 credits).