GEOL 423 - The Cryosphere

Description:
Components of the cryosphere (ice sheets, mountain glaciers, ice shelves, global snow cover, sea ice extent, and permafrost/frozen ground) will be examined, including anticipated changes in the cryosphere due to changing climate. GEOL 423 and GEOL 523 are layered courses; students may not receive credit for both. Course will be offered on even numbered years (Winter).

Prerequisites:
Prerequisites: (either GEOL 101 or GEOL 102 or GEOL 103) and GEOL 101LAB, and GEOL 200, and GEOL 210, and CHEM 181 and CHEM 182.

Credits: (5)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Differentiate between the formation and structure of components of the cryosphere.
Examine techniques used to monitor variations in various components of the cryosphere.
Evaluate which components of the cryosphere are most vulnerable to a warming climate, and the timescales over which the cryosphere component is vulnerable to change (weeks - months - centuries).
Synthesize research from the peer reviewed scientific literature on a topic related to the cryosphere.
Evaluate how projected increases in temperature will affect a component of the cryosphere, and predict the societal and economic impacts of this change.

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
10/19/2017