Terrestrial Climate and Environmental Changes

This course introduces the student to how different exogenous processes can be used to reconstruct past and present terrestrial changes in climate, geomorphology and environment with emphasis on Norway. Individually, and under supervision, the student will carry out 4 theoretical tasks related to central themes of the course, and as part of a small group, and under supervision, carry out 3 field-based investigations dealing with climate and environmental reconstructions in the Bergen region.

Based on how the ocean-atmosphere interactions are reflected in exogenic terrestrial processes and landforms, including sea-level fluctuations, the course aims to present different methods to reconstruct past and present climate and environmental changes. The course also aims to discuss possible causes for these changes.

In connection with the field-based investigations, the students will be split into smaller groups with the purpose of collecting relevant field data, and use available scientific literature for discussing own results. Finally, each field-based investigation is to be presented as a written report using a professional language and disciplinary terms, and with adequate analysis, illustrations and referencing.

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain what proxy data is, and how different proxies are used for reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can explain the most important exogenous agents and related processes which are linked to terrestrial climate and environmental changes in Norway.
• has knowledge about potential causes for terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• has knowledge about strengths and weaknesses for the most common dating methods used in the reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• has knowledge about the chronostratigraphic framework for NW Europe.

Skills 

The student

• can evaluate the use of different proxy data for the reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can recognize the most important agents/processes which are related to climate and environmental changes in Norway.
• can discuss potential causes for terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can discuss strengths and weaknesses for the most common dating methods used in the reconstruction of terrestrial climate and environmental changes.
• can use the chronostratigraphic framework for NW Europe.

General competence

The student

• can perform a field project in accordance with the guidelines for proper behaviour and safety at the University of Bergen.
• can write an assignment and field report either alone or in a small group by using a professional language and disciplinary terms, make adequate analysis, and graphical presentations, and put own work into a wider context by finding and properly referring to relevant literature.
• can communicate orally and write an academic text on current issues regarding the research field of interest and relate it to the scientific literature.
• can exchange opinions with others having a background in the field, and provide constructive comments to their work.