Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of glacial processes and environments emphasizing landscapes and sediments resulting from the movement of ice, water, and sediment; application of field techniques. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

The impacts of a changing climate have their highest visibility in the marginal areas of ice-covered landscapes. In this course an overview of glacier-climate interactions and glacier physics will set the groundwork for investigating modern change in glaciated landscapes. Investigations into the inner workings of glacier mass balance, hydrology, and motion, will be facilitated by unravelling the record of past glacial landforms and sediments and their importance for understanding the landscapes we see today. Field trips will focus on techniques used for interpreting glacial landforms and sediments in a variety of landscapes in southwestern BC.

Field trip details: There are two field trips in this course, a three day trip (September 29-October 1) and a one day trip (October 27). Your mandatory course fee ($106) and U-Pass fee cover transportation costs. Students should expect to pay up to $95 to the Department to cover accommodation, and will be responsible for their own food costs. Be aware that during the field trips there may be periods of strenuous hiking, hiking close to cliffs and crossing roads with busy traffic. Appropriate clothing and foot wear must be worn. Further details regarding safety, meals, accommodation and field supplies will be discussed prior to the field trip. Students must at all times remain compliant with all student responsibilities, regulations, and policies as outlined in the current Academic Calendar, as well as relevant regulations and policies as outlined in the SFU Policy Gazette. This includes, but is not limited to, expected student conduct and the maintenance of appropriate medical insurance coverage.

This course is a required or elective course in several syllabi for Professional Geoscience (P. Geo.) accreditation by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEG BC) and the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG).

Note:
This is a writing designated course.
Class will meet during the lab time in the first week of classes.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: