University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Available every year.

Planned timetable: 11:00am -1:00pm Wed

Spanning the last 2.6 million years, the quaternary provides examples of dramatic climatic and environmental change. From when ice sheets covered much of northern Europe and North America, and times when conditions were much like today (but with lions and hippos in Trafalgar Square). It has much to teach us about how current ecosystems function, the importance of fire, hydrology or sea level change in controlling the direction of ecosystem and landscape change as well as the direction of human cultural and biological evolution. The module covers topics including post-glacial sea level change, Mediterranean fire ecology, Amazon vegetation dynamics, and the anthropogenic disturbance of ecosystems.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass GG2011 and pass GG2012

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 lecture (x10 weeks), 1 seminar (x4 weeks), 1 practical class (x4 weeks), field class (approx 2 hours, x2 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours: 32

Guided independent study hours: 168

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework - 50%, Written examination 50%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 30%
Coursework: 70%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module teaching staff: Various