Environmental Change & Reconstruction 1: Concepts in Stratigraphy and Geochronology

GEOG60111 Environmental Change & Reconstruction 1: Concepts in Stratigraphy and Geochronology 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Anna Hughes Unit coordinator Geography 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 Provides an understanding of environmental reconstruction using a variety of sedimentological and geomorphological records, and an introduction to the key geochronological dating methods. Provides an understanding of environmental reconstruction using a variety of sedimentological and geomorphological records, and an introduction to the key geochronological dating methods. The unit aims to:<ul><li>Provide training in environmental reconstruction using a variety of different sedimentological and geomorphological records.</li><li>Teach students concepts and principles of stratigraphy.</li><li>Provide an opportunity for utilising skills in stratigraphical, sedimentological and geomorphological techniques in the field.</li><li>Teach students the theory and application of techniques in geochronology which can be used to date a variety of different sedimentological and geomorphological records.</li></ul> <ul><li>Students can expect to develop broader academic skills including academic literature search, reading and critical analysis.</li><li>Students will gain some experience of stratigraphic and/or geochronological field and/or laboratory work via the one-day field class and/or laboratory demonstration.</li><li>The second assignment encourages students to develop their critical reasoning skills and apply knowledge learnt through the lectures to a specific case study and authentic professional task.</li><li>Gain experience, through demonstrations, of laboratory and field techniques in environmental reconstruction via participation in field-class and/or laboratory demonstration</li><li>Navigating/accessing/identifying learning materials via the VLE.</li><li>Using appropriate search engines/indexes/databases to find information.</li><li>Manage and retrieve information for study i.e. (bookmarks/referencing software).</li><li>Producing visualisations of data for reports.</li></ul> <ul><li>Use geomorphological and sedimentological records for reconstructing environmental change.</li><li>Apply the principles of stratigraphy (subdivision, ordering and correlation) in environmental reconstruction.</li><li>Reconstruct environmental change using sedimentological and geomorphological records.</li><li>Choose appropriate geochronological techniques (optically stimulated luminescence, radiocarbon, and cosmogenic exposure dating) for dating geomorphological and sedimentological records of environmental change.</li></ul> <ul><li>Critically assess different records of environmental change (e.g. glacial, fluvial, lacustrine, peatlands) and the problems associated with using such records for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.</li><li>Evaluate the nature of different dating techniques (geochronology) for different record of environmental change with reference to published literature.</li></ul> <ul><li>Write reports/essays, including information accessed from access digital and library resources.</li><li>Gain experience of data handling and numerical skills.</li><li>Develop skills in research design.</li></ul> <ul><li>Develop their communication and writing skills, skills in cooperative learning (in a field or lab setting), digital skills (graphical presentation), time management, independent study.</li></ul> Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):Summary of typical content (subject to revision and scheduling): 1. Introduction to Environmental Change and Reconstruction.  2. Stratigraphy in environmental reconstruction.  3. Methods in environmental reconstruction I – Geomorphology.  4. Methods in environmental reconstruction II – Sedimentology. 5. Chronology I - 14C dating.  6. Chronology II – Cosmogenic dating.  7. Chronology III – OSL dating.  8. Fieldtrip  9. Assignment 2 workshop surgery. The course is delivered through a mixture of staff-led lectures and discussion sessions, a laboratory practical class and/or fieldtrip. The course is supported by e-learning resources delivered through the VLE. Course materials including handouts and lecture slides will be available through the course VLE site. One-to-one interaction and discussion with staff and peers are strongly encouraged within contact time. There will be opportunities for one-to-one consultation with lecturers in their office hours. 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 50% 3 Report 50% Assessment task 1 Essay relating to (sessions 1-4), deadline mid-unit (e.g. week 7). 1500 words. Written feedback returned with grades (15 working days after submission). 50% weighting.Assessment task 2 Report relating to Chronology (sessions 5-7), deadline at end of unit (e.g. week 12). 43 pages, text + up-to 3 pages figures (equiv. 1500 words). Written feedback returned with grades (15 working days after submission). 50% weighting. MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco PGDT Taught Component Mandatory N    Bateman, M.D. (ed). Handbook of luminescence dating. Whittles Publishing. Available to view online as an e-book in the library.Darvill, C. (2013). Cosmogenic nuclide analysis. In Geomorphological Techniques (pp. 1-25). London, UK: British Society for Geomorphology. https://www.geomorphology.org.uk/sites/default/files/geom_tech_chapters/4.2.10_CosmogenicNuclideAnalysis.pdfHughes, P.D. (2010). The role of geomorphology in Quaternary stratigraphy: morphostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy and allostratigraphy. Geomorphology 123, 189-199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.07.025Stone, A., Bateman, M., Burrough , S., Limonta, M., Garzanti, E., Telfer, M., & Radeff, G. (2018). Using a portable luminescence reader for rapid age assessment of aeolian sediments for reconstructing dunefield landscape evolution in southern Africa. Quaternary Geochronology 49, 57-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2018.03.002Walker, M.J.C. (2005) Quaternary dating methods. Wiley, Chichester. Available to view online as an e-book in the library. Lectures 14 Practical classes & workshops 6 0 130 <ul><li>The unit will support EDI through using and providing students with resources from a diverse range of authors and contexts.</li><li>Teaching and learning will be designed to be inclusive through providing materials online in advance of sessions in accessible formats.</li><li>Summative assessment has been designed to ensure no student will be disadvantaged by being unable to attend the field trip.</li></ul>