KE5059 - Future of Ice on Earth

Lectures will introduce core concepts and provide a scaffold for student-led research and wider Computer lab sessions involve the use of a large-scale ice sheet model, and a mapping project on environmental changes of glaciers and ice sheets. Students have an opportunity to tailor their computer projects toward their own interests and you will be expected to demonstrate ability to work independently.

Students will write short reports (2000 words) on one of the two research projects (i.e. ice-flow modelling and environmental mapping). Additionally, a 3-hour written exam is held in examination period. The final grade is based on the report (50%) and the exam results (50%).

Lectures introduce the key topics of the module. Further understanding will be gained by conducting individual numerical exercises involving and ice flow model, and mapping of environmental changes.

In addition to direct contact with the module team during lectures and lab sessions, students will be encouraged to work independently on a project and further develop their curiosity by making direct contact with the module team either via email or the open-door policy operated throughout the programme. Students will also be regularly referred to supporting resources including relevant texts and relevant multimedia materials.

Regular feedback on your learning progress will be provided. This will primarily take place during lectures in informal Q&A sessions.
References to these resources will be made available through the e-learning portal in lectures and computer lab sessions.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of the state of the cryosphere and current state of research on the future of ice on Earth.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of flow approximations typically used in ice-flow modelling. Being able to run a large-scale ice-flow model and design and conduct experiments tailored towards addressing topical research questions in glaciology and give examples and explain the principles of unstable ice-flow (unstable ice-sheet growth, unstable grounding-line retreat/advance).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. General understanding of numerical sensitivity studies, parameter estimations, and uncertainty quantification.

4. Use numerical techniques and mapping using large data sets to obtain qualitative and quantitative information of environmental changes, in particular those related to the cryosphere.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Critically appraise the use of approximation techniques to analyse various scenarios and determine which approach is relevant for selected specific model and summarise results. Evaluate how uncertainties in data impact assessments of environmental changes.

SUMMATIVE

The assessment includes:

1) Report on a computer-based project (50%) MLOs 1,4
2) Written 3-hour exam (50%) - MLOs1,2,3,4,5


FORMATIVE

• Exercise problems – 1, 2, 3

Informal feedback will be provided on computer lab session based on problems designed to aid student understanding.

Feedback is provided to students individually and in a plenary format both written and verbally to help students improve and promote dialogue around the assessment.

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The module provides an overview of the state of the cryosphere (i.e. the frozen planet) and the future of ice on Earth in a warming world. Key concepts related to the dynamics of processes related to the cryosphere are presented, those of glaciers and ice sheets and their role in the climate system including interactions with the atmosphere and the ocean. These include the relationships between glaciers and climate, the response of glaciers and ice sheets to climate changes, the response time of glaciers and the dynamics of ice flow. Overview of the state of the cryosphere is provided and the role of the cryosphere in global context discussed.

The module is designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the current state of the cryosphere, the future of ice on Earth and related societal impacts (e.g. sea level changes, related hazards and risks, environmental impacts). The module is closely related to ongoing research activities on the cryosphere for which the Department is a global leader.

Assessment of the module is by two individual assignments: 1) a numerical ice-flow modelling project (50%) and, 2) a quantitative assessment of ongoing changes in the cryosphere (50%).

The module provides students with a useful preparation for employment related to impacts of global warming and/or postgraduate study in glaciology, numerical modelling, and assessment of environmental changes in the physical environment.