Keele Badge

ESC-30162 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

ESC-30162 - Glacial Environments
Coordinator: Richard Waller Room: WSF23A Tel: +44 1782 7 33179
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

The final year option module "glacial environments" focuses on the nature, behaviour and distinctive landscapes associated with glaciers and permafrost as the key components of the global cryosphere (environments dominated by ice). With these environments being particularly vulnerable to climate change, the module will focus in particular on the nature, rate and consequences of glacier recession and permafrost degradation and role as "climate tipping points".
In addition to developing your knowledge and understanding of glacial and permafrost environments and the impacts of climate change, this module will also enhance your skills in the description and interpretation of landforms and landscapes as viewed within ground level and remotely-sensed imagery. These are skills central to a number of subject-relevant careers including hazard management, water resource management and engineering geomorphology.

Aims
This module aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of glaciers and permafrost as the two key components of the cryosphere, the distinctive geomorphic processes and landforms associated with these environments, their vulnerability to climate change and the global consequences of ice loss. During the course of the module, students should develop:
- their knowledge and understanding of the distinctive characteristics and behaviour of ice within glacial and permafrost environments, the related core principles and theory and the nature and practice of research within glaciology and permafrost science.
- their ability to conceptualise patterns, processes, interactions and change in the cryospheric environments at a range of spatial and temporal scales.
- their ability to engage with, evaluate and report on relevant published scientific research at the forefront of the disciplines.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Discuss the nature and role of glaciers and permafrost as key components of the cryosphere, identify their interconnections both with each other and with other elements of the wider Earth system and consider the ways these vary over time and space.: 1,2
Describe in detail the formation, behaviour and landscape impacts of glaciers and permafrost with reference to appropriate core principles and theory.: 1,2
Apply a detailed knowledge of the research literature to complex questions about glaciers and permafrost whilst acknowledging the contested and provisional nature of knowledge and understanding.: 1,2
Interpret ground-based and remotely-sensed images of glacial and permafrost landsapes and present concise but well-evidenced written descriptions and explanations of them.: 1
Evaluate the nature and magnitude of climate change within selected glacial and permafrost environments and identify and explain their geomorphological and societal consequences.: 2

Study hours

Active learning:
11 x 2 hour classroom sessions - 22 hours
11 x 2 hour structured engagement with set reading - 22 hours
Independent study:
Coursework preparation and completion - 78 hours split between the two assessments
Independent study relating to wider module themes- 28 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Workbook weighted 50%
Workbook (2000 words plus diagrams and references)
Workbook exercise comprising a series of short exercises relating to the material covered in weeks 2 to 9 and requiring short and medium length responses of up to 250 words (total word limit of 2000 words excluding figure captions and reference list). These exercises will focus primarily on the description and interpretation of imagery of relevance to the session and will also require the effective use of appropriate research literature.

2: Report weighted 50%
Report (2000 words plus diagrams and references)
Students will write a report (word limit of 2000 words excluding figure captions and reference list) focusing on a specific glacier and permafrost locality (chosen by the student) that considers the nature of recent climate change, the impacts on the glacier and the permafrost regime and the associated geomorphological and societal consequences. The report should comprise two parts of similar length: one part focusing on a specific glacier and the second part focusing on a specific permafrost locality. Both entries will be expected to demonstrate extensive engagement with relevant research literature.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. 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/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026