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GEOL473 Advanced Topics in Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology

Advanced discussion and analysis of marine and terrestrial records used to reconstruct oceanographic and climatic change.

Paper title Advanced Topics in Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology
Paper code GEOL473
Subject Geology
EFTS 0.0833
Points 10 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $704.22
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Restriction
GEOL 421
Eligibility

This paper is suitable for someone with a BSc (or equivalent) in a physical science.

Contact

geology@otago.ac.nz
chris.moy@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Chris Moy
Dr Christina Riesselman

Paper Structure
  • Class introduction
  • Proxies in paleoceanography and paleoclimatology
  • Onset of Cenozoic glaciation
  • E/O glaciation: evidence from marine records
  • E/O glaciation: drivers and impacts
  • Neogene ice sheets: dynamic or stable?
  • Will WAIS survive the Anthropocene?
  • Orbital forcing of climate change
  • Millennial-scale climate variability
  • Internal modes of climate change
  • Glacial-interglacial transitions
  • Geologic record of sea-level rise
  • Holocene climate drivers
Teaching Arrangements

Discussion of relevant papers in the literature.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will have:

  • Comprehensive understanding of the fundamental drivers of climate and oceanographic change at timescales ranging from decades to millions of years (Scholarship, Research, Lifelong learning)
  • Comprehensive understanding of how different components of the Earth system interact with one another to influence climate and oceanographic change (Global perspective, Environmental literacy)
  • Thorough understanding of the common techniques and proxies used to reconstruct climatic and oceanographic change (Scholarship, Critical thinking)
  • Proficiency in interpreting environmental/climate/oceanographic change from marine and terrestrial sediment records and an understanding of the basis behind physical and chemical proxies (Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Teamwork)

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Timetable

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Blackboard