AG-340
Arctic Glaciers and Landscapes (10 ECTS)

Required previous knowledge/specific course requirements:
Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Students should have general knowledge about glaciology and geomorphology, like AG-204 or similar.

Learning outcome:
After the course, students will have improved understanding of the glacial and geomorphological processes that operate in Arctic glacial environments; first-hand experience of key field techniques, and an improved appreciation of how the processes studied shape the Arctic landscape.

Academic content:
Arctic glacier/permafrost thermal regimes, glacier mass balance and hydrology, ice dynamics, calving processes, glacier surging, Svalbard's landscape evolution: the role of glaciers and ice sheets, moraine building and disintegration since the LIA in a permafrost environment, surging glaciers and landscape change.

Teaching methods and activities:
Total lecture hours: 18 hours.
Fieldwork on Foxfonna (mass balance): 2 days
Residential field class at Grønfjorden: 5 days.
Trip to Tunabreen (boat): 1 day.
Data analysis and presentations: 14 hours.

Compulsory assignment:
Field work and data analysis sessions.

Assessment:

All assessments must be fulfilled in order to receive a final grade.

Application deadline: 15. April 2012.