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:

Description
An exploration of past and present glacial processes and landforms, focusing on the roles glacial ice, meltwater and sediment play in shaping the earth’s surface. An introduction to field techniques in glacial geomorphology. Writing.

Details:
Glacial ice covered most of Canada, and many other areas, during the last glacial period, around 20,000 years ago. This ice left behind a complex record of its extent, movement and decay in a huge variety of sediments and landforms. Using this landscape record, we can piece the glacial history together, and in doing so learn about the processes by which modern glaciers and ice sheets might change in response to changing climate.

This course examines the interactions between climate, glaciers and ice sheets, and the landscapes, landforms and sediments they produce, with particular attention on meltwater processes. We will explore the glacial history of Canada, and BC in particular. The course will also develop and test critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, field research and scientific writing skills.

Course structure:
Weekly 2-hour lecture, with further 2-hour lab for further lectures or seminars. TWO REQUIRED FIELD TRIPS, both leading to submission of a field report: 3-day residential trip to interior BC; 1-day trip to site near SFU (site TBC).

Field trip details:
The first, 3-day field trip for this course is scheduled for Friday Sept 27 to Sunday Sept 29, leaving on the morning of the 27th, and returning by the evening of the 29th. This trip will be to sites in interior BC (Nicola and Thompson valleys, Fraser Plateau), with accommodation in local towns. The second field trip will be held on Friday Oct 18, replacing the lectures/lab for that day, and will be to a site within 1 hour drive of SFU (TBC). Return to SFU is expected by mid-to-late afternoon. Attendance is required for both trips, with field reports to be completed using data collected. There is a mandatory supplementary fee of $110.41, and an additional supplementary fee of no more than $100 to cover transportation and accommodation (to be paid to the department). The supplementary fee will be confirmed in the first 3 weeks of classes. Students will be responsible for their own food costs throughout the trip. This trip will involve some hiking and crossing roads and railroads; students must follow all instructions from teaching and support staff. Weather conditions will be highly variable; appropriate footwear and clothing will be necessary. Students are expected to comply 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.  Expectations and considerations regarding safety, student conduct, required equipment, meals and accommodation will be discussed in class prior to trip.

Grading

Materials

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