Unearthing the Past (20 cr)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| GEOG3063 | Geography | 3 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- GEOG3063
- School
- Geography
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module explores the nature of climatic and environmental change, primarily over the Quaternary period. It will consider evidence for rates of past climate change, possible drivers of those changes and the changing balance between natural and anthropogenic drivers of system change. The module shall explore a range of proxy data sources for past environmental change, at different time scales.
Teaching on this module will be focused on active research areas in Quaternary Science, delivered by staff with expertise in those areas.
The practical nature of research into these topics will be introduced through a series of laboratory and computer practicals.
Target Students
Only available to students with one of the required pre-requisites (GEOG2074, GEOG2006, GEOG2020 or BIOS2013).
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
- The Changing Environment (Aut) (GEOG2006)
- The Changing Environment (Spr) (GEOG2020)
- Climate Change Science (BIOS2013)
- The Changing Environment (20 cr) (GEOG2074)
Classes
Teaching will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, computer practicals and laboratory practicals.
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: coursework
- 50% Coursework 2: coursework
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module explores the nature of climatic and environmental change over the Quaternary period. It will consider evidence for rates of past climate change, possible drivers of those changes and the changing balance between natural and anthropogenic drivers of system change. The use of models to improve understanding of past climate and system responses will be considered. We shall explore a range of proxy data sources for past environmental change as well as considering the implications of future climate change for hydrological and biological systems. The practical nature of research into these topics will be introduced through a series of laboratory and computer practicals.Learning Outcomes
- Develop deeper understanding of the nature and rate of climate change.
- Develop in-depth knowledge of a range of environmental proxies and their interpretation (based on reading the literature as well as practical work).
- Appreciate the complexities of responses to climatic changes in natural and human systems, based on an understanding of drivers of climatic variability over a range of timescales.
- Be more critical in their use of both primary and secondary data sources.
- Develop skills in data analysis and project planning.