KE5002 - Cold and Palaeoenvironments

You will learn through lectures, computer practicals, laboratory practicals and independent learning. The lectures will cover the key definitions, theories, concepts, applications and processes that will give you the background knowledge to undertake the practical based studies and guided independent reading. You will use computer models to explore energy and mass balance on glaciers and you will use laboratory facilities to identify and analyse palaeoenvironmental proxies. Using the elp and a dedicated electronic reading list you will broaden your understanding of Cold and Palaeoenvironments that will enable you to confidently tackle this module’s assessments and provide you with skills that will prove invaluable for your independent dissertation.

This module is led by the research active and enthusiastic staff of the Cold and Palaeoenvironments research group. You will be supported through the formal lectures on Cold and Palaeoenvironments and on an individual basis in the computer and laboratory practicals. Access to all learning materials is provided via eLP (lecture slides, practical materials, online resources, electronic reading lists). All teaching staff operate an ‘open door’ policy for students meaning you can approach them anytime during normal office hours, or via email, to answer questions, receive feedback and support your learning on the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO 1: Critically discuss the nature and spatial variation of processes operating in glacial environments.
• MLO 2: Evaluate the evidence for the reconstruction of Quaternary environments

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO 3: Use numerical models to calculate energy and mass balance of glacial environments.
• MLO 4: Identify and interpret proxies for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MLO 5: Demonstrate a curiosity in a variety of scientific methods applied to contemporary and past environmental research.

The module is assessed by a practical based report and an essay (each worth 50%). The first assessment focuses on glacier energy balance using a full energy balance model to investigate modelling differences and melt fluxes (MLO 3). The essay assignment requires you to synthesise your knowledge of cold and palaeoenvironments. You will choose from a range of topics covered throughout the module, including glacial landsystems, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and long-term climate change (MLO 1,2,5). The essay has a relatively short word limit (1500 words) to encourage concise writing and the synthesis of ideas.

You will receive formative feedback in practical classes associated with assessment 1. You will also receive formative feedback in laboratory practicals focussed on palaeoenvironmental proxy identification using microscopes (MLO 4).

KE4000

None

In this module you will learn about Cold and Palaeoenvironments, focussing on contemporary processes in glacial landscapes and the environments and climate changes of the Quaternary. This research-led module is presented by the enthusiastic experts of the Cold and Palaeoenvironments research group who will share their knowledge and experience to help you achieve your potential. In this module you will learn about glacial and past environments in lectures, IT sessions and laboratory practicals. This will provide you with a broad set of analytical, laboratory and IT skills, which will prove invaluable for your studies and future employability.