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GG3263   Glaciers and Glaciation

Academic year(s): 2018-2019

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Availability TBC - Offered on a two-year cycle

Planned timetable: 09:00 - 11:00 Wednesday

In recent years, concern has risen about the impact of climate change on glaciers and ice sheets, and the implications for sea level rise, natural hazards and water resources. This course critically evaluates these issues, and explores the fundamental glaciological processes required to understand them. The first part of the course focuses on how glaciers function and interact with climate, and covers glacier mass balance (snowfall and ice melt), hydrology, processes of glacier motion and ice dynamics. The second part then applies these principles to important issues, such as glacier lake outburst floods, water resources in glacier-fed river basins, the future of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets, and sea level change.

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 x 1-hour lecture, 1 x 1-hour seminar (x 11 weeks) + 1 x 1-hour revision session + 1 residential (two-day รป 16 hours) field course during the semester.

Scheduled learning hours: 37

Guided independent study hours: 163

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 60%, Coursework = 40%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 60%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 40%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 60%, Coursework = 40%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor D I Benn
Module teaching staff: Prof D I Benn