Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
This module will focus on the study of Quaternary deposits and how they can be interpreted to understand the processes that caused their formation, as well as understanding them as indicators of palaeoenvironmental conditions. The module will also cover the occurrence, evidence for and possible causes of climate change over geological time. A field excursion will be included to provide an understanding of how surface processes have affected landscape development during the Quaternary and to cover a variety of field techniques for identifying and mapping superficial deposits.
Aims
To understand the occurrence, evidence for and possible causes of climate change over geological time; to study recent deposits and how they can be interpreted to understand the processes that caused their formation, as well as understanding them as indicators of palaeoenvironmental conditions.
Talis Aspire Reading ListAny reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-20036/lists
Intended Learning Outcomes
show critical understanding of the occurrence and evidence for climate change in the geological record and to have an appreciation of the possible causes within an Earth System context: 1,2,3identify and map superficial deposits using a variety of field and desk-based techniques, and be able to critically analyse field observations, relating them to the processes that formed these deposits: 2understand the surface processes that have affected landscape development during the Quaternary: 2,3extract and synthesise information from the scientific literature on a specific palaeoclimatology topic using computer-aided literature searching techniques and present the results in the format of a poster: 1
26 hours scheduled synchronous class activity8 hours of field-based study12 hours structured engagement with online resources and directed research28 hours for research and completion of poster assignment38 hours for research and completion of field course report28 hours for revision and completion of class test10 hours flexible independent study (e.g. background reading)
Description of Module Assessment
1: Poster Presentation weighted 30%Poster and presentation on a palaeoclimatology topicStudents carry out research on a selected palaeoclimatology topic and present the results in the format of a poster plus 5-minute oral presentation.
2: Individual Report weighted 40%Field course report1500-word report, plus supporting maps and figures, based on field course.
3: Class Test weighted 30%KLE short answer/MCQ testEnd of semester short answer/multiple choice test administered via the KLE and taking approximately 90 minutes complete.