BSc Geography with International Study / Course details

The cryosphere, including glaciers, ice sheets, ice shelves and sea ice, is a fascinating part of Earth's climate system. Ice masses are sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation over a range of timescales and offer some of the most visible signs of past and present climate change. Studying ice on Earth can provide an insight into interactions between physical, biological and (increasingly) human environments. Our Frozen Planet provides an introduction to the cryosphere and its response to past, present and future climate change. The course covers topics such as the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets, mountain glaciers and sea ice, as well as techniques used to reconstruct past ice masses and monitor present change. Students will learn how the fate of ice on Earth is intrinsically linked to changes in the atmosphere and oceans, with implications for geomorphology, water resources, wildlife and sea-level rise.

·      To appreciate the importance of the cryosphere within the Earth’s climate system

·      To understand how ice masses respond to – and interact with – changes in climate

·      To consider the longer-term (Quaternary) context of current trends in the cryosphere

·      To critically assess the evidence for past, present and future cryosphere change

The course is delivered through lectures, supported by a series of seminars. Independent reading and study is essential. Reading lists and links to electronic resources will be provided on Blackboard. You are encouraged to use the discussion forum on Blackboard to discuss common questions and ideas about the course and share useful resources.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the response of the cryosphere to changing climate
• Demonstrate knowledge of how current trends in cryosphere change relate to past changes and future projections

• Be able to explain how different parts of the cryosphere interact with climate and the environment
• Provide critical insights into the methods used to reconstruct past ice masses and monitor current change

• Use graphics to convey the core messages of complex scientific research
• Work in groups to discuss and critique scientific literature
• Use basic, open-source ice models to consider the relationship between ice masses and climate

• Convey information to different audiences, from public to specialist scientific
• Condense key findings and approaches from high impact publications into short reports
• Examine a broad scientific concept in detail and explain advances and limitations through a comprehensive review
• Appreciate and question experts in cryospheric science

Coursework      (formative: 0%; first assessment: 40%; second assessment: 60%)

Feedback will be provided in the following ways during this course unit:

• Verbal feedback through discussion and interactive activities within lectures
• Verbal feedback on any questions or issues through consultation hours
• Online feedback via a Blackboard discussion board
• Detailed written feedback on coursework

There is no set textbook for this course. To get a sense of the significance of this subject, students are encouraged to read the following:

The Royal Society: Climate Updates (2017) Pages 12-15 (but this short document is worth reading in its entirety)

https://royalsociety.org/~/media/policy/Publications/2017/27-11-2017-Climate-change-updates-report.pdf

Vaughan et al. (2013) Observations: Cryosphere. IPCC 5^th Assessment, WG I (pick and choose sections to get a flavour of the research)

http://ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg1/WG1AR5_Chapter04_FINAL.pdf

Masson-Delmotte et al. (2013) Information from Paleoclimate Archives. IPCC 5^th Assessment, WG I (pick and choose sections to get a flavour of the research)

http://ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg1/WG1AR5_Chapter05_FINAL.pdf