Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2020 - EASC 711 G100

Directed Readings (3)

Class Number: 5468

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Location: TBA

  • Prerequisites:

    Permission of the instructor.

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Glacier thermomechanics and fast flow

Course description:
Glacier thermomechanics control the form and flow of land-based ice, and reflect the local climate history and environmental setting. The goal of this course is to discover what we know about the internal vs external controls on fast glacier flow (with a focus on surging glaciers), including the influence of an evolving climate. We aim to identify research questions that will help us anticipate the spectrum of dynamics changes observed in high-latitude and high-altitude glacier environments.

Schedule: 1h weekly meetings There will be weekly meetings between the student (Andrew Nolan) and instructor (Gwenn Flowers). Prior to each meeting, the student will submit a short (~1000 word) summary of the week’s readings written in the form of a literature review, including proper citations and references. The content of the week’s readings will be discussed during the meeting, in addition to emerging ideas for research.

Provisional topics:
Week 1: Significance of fast/unstable glacier flow
Week 2: Global/regional distributions of surge-type glaciers
Week 3: Fundamental controls on glacier surging
Week 4: Global/regional patterns of glacier thermal structure
Weak 5: Fundamental controls on glacier thermal structure
Week 6: Other forms of unstable glacier flow 
 Week 7: Climate influence on fast/unstable glacier flow
Week 8: Other influences on fast/unstable glacier flow
Week 9: Research methods
Weeks 10-11: Final project

 Course Project: The final deliverable will be a document summarizes the course content in a condensed literature review, identifies potential research questions and details proposed methods to answer these questions.

Grading

  • Discussion and written summaries of course readings 60%%
  • Final Project 40%%

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.