GE477 Glaciers and Ecology

Contents and structure

Glaciers are rapidly responding to changes in temperature and precipitation and are therefore good indicators of climate change. This course provides knowledge about glacier mass balance and dynamics and how climate affects glacier behaviour. Students will learn about glacier ecosystems and glacial impacts upon downstream ecosystems.

The module builds on the bedrock geological and sedimentological understanding of From Mountain to Fjord - module 1 (GE476 Geological Aspects of Western Norway) and provides the basis for the interpretations to be performed in From Mountain to Fjord - module 3 (GE478 Fjord Processes).

Learning Outcome

• Understand the processes governing glacier mass balance and dynamics
• Insight into the methods used to monitor glaciers and glacier behaviour
• Understand glacial erosion and sediment deposition
• Insight into glacier ecosystems and glacial impacts upon downstream ecosystems

Entry requirements

None.

Recommended previous knowledge

90 ECTS within earth sciences or environmental sciences or life sciences or similar study directions at the time of application (15th of April for foreign students). The course builds on GE-476 Geological Aspects of Western Norway (From Mountain to Fjord - module 1).

Teaching methods

Lectures, group work, and exercises. The course includes three days of excursions.

Students have to be prepared to pay for their food during fieldwork and excursions according to the HVL rules and regulations on accommodation and travel expenses.

Compulsory learning activities

Students have to prepare a short written report about the field excursion and an oral presentation for a paper seminar (group work). Both need to be approved as a prerequisite to enter the final exam.

Assessment

Written examination, 4 hours. Grading A-F

Examination support material

Dictionary corresponding to the country of origin of the individual student, to be specified on the exam paper.

More about examination support material

Course reductions

• GE477 - Økologiske- og overflateprosessar - Reduction: 10 studypoints