KE5002 - Cold and Palaeoenvironments

You will learn through lectures, computer practicals, laboratory practicals, a seminar 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 Environments and Environmental Monitoring and Reconstruction research groups. 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 the ELP (lecture slides and recordings, 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. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

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: (1) a practical based report and (2) an on campus mixed format exam (each worth 50%). The first assessment focuses on outputs from a glacier energy balance model and will enable you to demonstrate: (i) your ability to use, and graphically present outputs from, a numerical model of energy and mass balance of glacial environments; and (ii) your critical understanding of the controls on temporal and spatial variation in glacier surface melt rates (MLOs 1 and 3). The second assessment will enable you to: (i) demonstrate your broad knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and principles, and scientific methods applied to contemporary and past environmental research; and (ii) evaluate evidence for the reconstruction of Quaternary environments. (MLOs 2 and 5).
You will receive formative feedback in practical classes associated with assessment 1 and have the opportunity to participate in a mock examination to support your preparation for assessment 2. You will also receive formative feedback in laboratory practicals focussed on palaeoenvironmental proxy identification and interpretation 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 enthusiastic experts from the department’s Cold Environments and Environmental Monitoring and Reconstruction research groups 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.