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Undergraduate Module Descriptors 2012/13
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GEO204: Ice Age Earth

Module Title Ice Age Earth
Module Code GEO204
Module Tutor Phillip Toms
School Natural and Social Sciences
CAT Points 15
Level of Study 5
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Brief Description This module provides an introduction to the Ice Age; its causes and consequences. The driving mechanisms behind ice ages, the evidence used to reconstruct the Ice Age world and the ways in which these events are dated will be explored.
Indicative Syllabus This module introduces the discipline of Quaternary Science. It explores the theories of global cooling in the Cenozoic era, focussing on the initiation of Northern Hemisphere glaciation and substantial shifts in climate during the Quaternary period (c. 2.5 Ma to present). The natural archives that form the basis of environmental reconstruction in this interval will be detailed along with methods by which a timescale can be generated. An appreciation of these metrics will be developed through engagement with published environmental reconstructions and an integrated field and laboratory exercise.
Learning Outcomes

i Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of the module the student should:
a)  have an understanding of the mechanisms postulated for Cenozoic cooling and Quaternary climate change;
b)  appreciate the development and examples of Quaternary environmental reconstruction;
c)  have knowledge of the purpose and effectiveness of a range of palaeoenvironmental proxies;
d) recognise the range and utility of Quaternary dating techniques;
e)  be able to analyse and synthesise palaeoenvironmental and chronological data for the purposes of reconstruction.

ii Skills
On successful completion of the module the student should:
a)  have enhanced skills in information gathering, synthesis and presentation appropriate to the discipline;
b)  have developed an appropriate degree of intellectual and practical independence in studying;
c)  have acquired field and laboratory-based skills in Quaternary Science.
Learning and Teaching Activities

Staff / student contact: 24% (36 hrs; lectures, practicals, field trip)
Student directed learning: 76% (114 hrs)
Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) 001: 50% Coursework: Standard: 2000 words or equivalent
002: 50% Coursework: Standard: 2000 words or equivalent
Special Assessment Requirements None
Indicative Resources

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.

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Course resources for the current years of entry are available to staff and students on Infonet.

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Old Archive

Course resources prior to 2012/13 can still be found in the original Maps and Descriptors Archive.

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