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ESC-20036 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 24 April 2024

ESC-20036 - Palaeoclimatology and Quaternary Studies
Coordinator: Stuart Egan Room: WSF29 Tel: +44 1782 7 33174
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module focuses on the occurrence, evidence for and possible causes of climate change over geological time. It also covers 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. A oneżday field excursion will be included to cover a variety of field techniques for mapping and interpreting 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 List
Any 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: 1,2,3
identify 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: 2
understand the surface processes that have affected landscape development during the Quaternary: 2,3
extract 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

Study hours

26 hours scheduled synchronous class activity
8 hours of field-based study
12 hours structured engagement with online resources and directed research
28 hours for research and completion of poster assignment
38 hours for research and completion of field course report
28 hours for revision and completion of class test
10 hours flexible independent study (e.g. background reading)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Poster Presentation weighted 30%
Poster and presentation on a palaeoclimatology topic
Students 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 report
1500-word report, plus supporting maps and figures, based on field course.

3: Class Test weighted 30%
KLE short answer/MCQ test
End of semester short answer/multiple choice test administered via the KLE and taking approximately 90 minutes complete.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 24 April 2024