Spring 2016 - EASC 314 D100
Principles of Glaciology (3)
Class Number: 1747
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 11, 2016: Mon, Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 17, 2016
Sun, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Gwenn Flowers
gflowers@sfu.ca
778-782-6638
Office: TASC 1 Room 7237
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Prerequisites:
60 units, including MATH 152, PHYS 102 or 121 or 126 or 141, and any 100-level EASC course or permission of the instructor. Recommended: EASC 101.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the study of ice in the modem environment from a geophysical perspective, with a focus on glaciers and ice sheets. Topics include the physical and chemical properties of ice, glacier mass and energy balance, glacier and ice-sheet hydraulics and dynamics, fast ice flow and the relationship between ice and climate. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
General:
This course is an introduction to the study of ice in the environment from a geophysical perspective, with a specific focus on the terrestrial cryosphere (glaciers and ice sheets). The objectives of this course are to (1) illustrate how first principles can be used to develop a conceptual and mathematical understanding of glacier form and flow, and (2) equip students to understand some of the critical and emerging scientific issues related to Earth's cryosphere.
Course Topics:
1.Introduction to glaciology
2.Glacier formation and mass balance
3.Structure and material properties of ice
4.Deformation of ice
5.Glacier mechanics
6.Glacier hydraulics
7.Basal Processes
8.Ice sheets, streams and shelves
9.Surging and tidewater glaciers
10.Subglacial lakes and outburst floods
Laboratory periods will be used for problem sets, computer-based assignments and discussions of readings according to the weekly course matrix.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Assessment in this course has been designed to be distributed both in time (throughout the semester) and in methodology (to provide a broadly-based overall assessment that targets the various learning objectives).
Grading
- Midterm exam(s) 15-30%
- Oral final exam (cumulative) 15-30%
- Problem Sets/Laboratory Exercises (4-5 throughout semester) 25-35%
- Presentation/discussion of readings 5-15%
- Short writing assignments 10-25%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Required readings will be distributed during the course.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The Physics of Glaciers, Kurt M. Cuffey and W.S.B. Paterson, 4th edition, Elsevier Publishing, 2010.
Principles of Glacier Mechanics, R. LeB. Hooke, 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Fundamentals of Glacier Dynamics, C.J. van der Veen, A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 1999.
Glaciers, M. Hambrey and J. Alean, 1st edition, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS