Module Identifier EAM2320  
Module Title GLACIOLOGICAL FIELD TECHNIQUES  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Professor Michael J Hambrey  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Bryn P Hubbard, Dr Neil F Glasser, Dr Poul Christoffersen  
Course delivery Lecture   6 Hours  
  Practical   12 Hours  
  Other   Field course, glaciated upland area, 3 days  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Report on range of field techniques in glaciology/glacial geomorphology (1500 words)25%
Semester Assessment Report on field data collection and glaciological reconstruction (3000 words)50%
Semester Assessment Oral presentation on results from glaciological or palaeoglaciological observation25%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmit failed components of coursework 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of field techniques used in glaciology/glacial geology and glacial geomorphology

2. Devise and implement a field research project in glaciology/glacial geology and glacial geomorphology

3. Make rational, scientific judgments on the validity and application of particular methods in glaciology, e.g. glaciological reconstruction

Brief description

This is a Masters level module which provides an introduction to fieldwork in glaciology, glacial geology and glacial geomorphology. This course will provide students with an introduction to basic research design and hypothesis testing, followed by fieldwork in a glaciated landscape and a follow-up exercise on data interpretation and glaciological reconstruction. This module will introduce students to a variety of glaciological/glacial geomorphological field measurement techniques and data collection methods. Students will be required to implement these techniques on a 3 day field trip. They will subsequently use the data collected as the basis for an oral presentation and written report on glaciological observation, e.g. palaeoglaciological reconstruction.

Content

Themes covered include:-
  1. Methodology, research design and hypothesis testing in relation to fieldwork in glaciology/glacial geomorphology.
  2. Field course to upland glaciated landscape for field data collection.
  3. Introduction to post-fieldwork data handling and interpretation.
  4. Glaciological reconstruction from fieldwork data.

Reading Lists

Books
Hubbard, B.P. and Glasser, N.F ((in press)) Field Techniques in Glaciology. Wiley

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7