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the university centre in svalbard
UNIS
COURSE | CATALOGUE
2014-2015 www.unis.no
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UNIS | ARCTIC SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES
MAP OVER SVALBARD MOFFEN | NORDAUSTLANDET | ÅSGÅRDFONNA | NEWTONTOPPEN | NY-ÅLESUND | PYRAMIDEN | PRINS KARLS | FORLAND | BARENTSØYA | LONGYEARBYEN | BARENTSBURG | ISFJORD RADIO | SVEAGRUVA | EDGEØYA | STORFJORDEN | HORNSUND |
SVALBARD |
Cover photo: UNIS students on excursion in Tempelfjorden. Photo: Heidi Sevestre/UNIS
UNIS | ARCTIC SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES
| COURSES AT UNIS | ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS | HOW TO APPLY | ACADEMIC MATTERS | PRACTICAL INFORMATION | SAFETY | THE UNIS CAMPUS | UNIVERSITY OF THE ARCTIC | COURSES AT UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY (AB) | ARCTIC GEOLOGY (AG) | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS (AGF) | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY (AT) | GENERAL COURSES | INTRODUCTION
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UNIS | ARCTIC SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES
INTRODUCTION The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is the world’s northernmost institution of higher education, located in Longyearbyen at 78º N. UNIS offers high quality research based courses at bachelor, master, and PhD level in Arctic Biology, Arctic Geology, Arctic Geophysics and Arctic Technology. UNIS’ geographical location provides unique advantages, enabling students and faculty to use the high arctic nature as a laboratory for observations and data collection. Most courses include fieldwork and/or excursions.
SCIENTIFIC STAFF The UNIS’ scientific staff consists of professors and associate professors, adjunct professors and guest lecturers who specialize in Arctic topics. UNIS researchers collaborate with Norwegian and foreign research institutions and are involved in a large number of joint research projects.
EDUCATION STRATEGY ••
UNIS shall offer research and fieldbased courses of high quality where students are actively involved, and gaining experiences and competence in the HSE and logistical aspects of working in Arctic environments.
••
UNIS shall ensure a high standard learning environment by providing scientific and pedagogic competence and close follow-up of students. Using varied teaching forms and assessment methods to enhance learning.
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UNIS shall provide student with high quality education and research infrastructure. Field work will be performed with a minimum of environmental impact.
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UNIS shall have access to future-oriented infrastructure, especially in the form of ICT and library services which are a necessity for high quality in teaching and research. The learning environment shall support the academic contenct within courses and encourage independent student activities.
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UNIS shall be an active partner in network of UArctic.
HISTORY UNIS was established in 1993 to provide university level education in the Arctic, to carry out high quality research, and to contribute to the development of Svalbard as an international research platform. UNIS is a share-holding company, owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. In 2011 UNIS signed a formal agreement with all the Norwegian universities to strengthen cooperation and ensure UNIS courses complement the education provided by the Norwegian mainland universities. In October 2013 UNIS celebrated its 20th anniversary with a host of activities.
STUDENTS About 500 students from all over the world attend courses yearly at UNIS. About half of the students come from abroad. English is the official language. The international setting and the small, intimate campus makes UNIS a unique destination that provides students with hands-on experience. There are excellent opportunities for UNIS students to get involved in a wide range of exciting research projects. Evaluations show that students rate their UNIS experience as “awesome”.
UNIS | ARCTIC SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES
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Semester studies are available at bachelor level (all four disciplines), and at master and PhD level in Arctic Geophysics, as two courses providing a total of 30 ECTS. At master and PhD level, UNIS offers 3-15 ECTS courses lasting from a few weeks to a full semester. In the 2014-2015 academic year, UNIS will be offering altogether 96 courses. An overview is found in the course table (pages 10-13).
COURSES AT UNIS
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Admission to courses at UNIS requires that the applicant is enrolled at bachelor, master or PhD level at a Norwegian institution of higher education, or an accredited international institution of higher education.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must fulfill academic requirements and, where applicable, any additional course requirements set by UNIS. Note on safety: UNIS has strict safety guidelines that must be followed when students and staff are in the field. The safety aspects of the fieldwork will be part of the admission evaluation process.
BACHELOR LEVEL (200-LEVEL COURSES)
UNIS OFFERS BACHELOR, MASTER AND PHD LEVEL COURSES IN:
ARCTIC BIOLOGY (AB) ARCTIC GEOLOGY (AG) ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS (AGF) ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY (AT)
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: Department of Arctic Biology: 60 ECTS within general natural science, of which 30 ECTS within the field of biology. Department of Arctic Geology: 60 ECTS within general natural science, of which 30 ECTS within the field of geology/geosciences. Department of Arctic Geophysics: 60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics and geophysical fluid dynamics. Department of Arctic Technology: 60 ECTS within the field of mathematics, physics, mechanics or chemistry.
FULL TIME SEMESTER STUDY (30 ECTS).
MASTER AND PHD LEVEL (300- AND 800-LEVEL COURSES)
Applicants applying for a full semester, 30 ECTS, are given priority. Students must therefore choose two bachelor courses.
The applicant must be enrolled in a master or PhD program at his/her home institution. Course specific requirements will apply as presented in the current course description. Note: You might find relevant master and PhD courses within all four UNIS disciplines. DOING PARTS OF A MASTER/PHD DEGREE AT UNIS: A student who has been accepted as a master or PhD student at his/her home institution may carry out parts of his/her master or PhD at UNIS. This requires a separate application and an academic contact person at UNIS. Guidelines are found at www.unis.no/studies under “Admission”.
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The northern lights (Aurora Borealis) dance over the student accommodation in “Nybyen”. Photo: Robert Pfau/UNIS.
HOW TO APPLY
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YOU APPLY FOR STUDIES AT UNIS ONLINE.
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Register personal information in the Application Web at www.unis.no.
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You may pause the application process after choosing courses and prior to uploading documents.
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Choose which course(s) to apply for. An application receipt will be sent to your registered e-mail.
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You have to upload copies/scans of official credentials as listed below, within the application deadline. For documents in other languages than Scandinavian or English, an official translation to Norwegian or English is required. Both translated documents and original documents must be uploaded.
After finalising your application, you may check your application status in the Application Web. Decisions upon applications will be available 5-7 weeks after the application deadline. You will receive an e-mail when the decisions are made.
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If you are accepted you must log on to the Application Web and accept or decline the offer within the given deadline.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: ••
Transcript of records from previous and current education at university level
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Diplomas / completed degrees
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A confirmation that you are enrolled in a programme (bachelor-, master- or PhD-) at a higher education institution. This enrolment must be valid during your planned stay at UNIS
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A list of courses you are attending in the current semester/term
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Copies of relevant pages of your international passport (not needed for applicants with an 11-digit Norwegian identification number)
APPLICATION DEADLINES Autumn semester: April 15 Spring semester: October 15 The online application system for autumn semester courses opens ca. 15. February. The online application system for spring semester courses opens ca. 5. September.
UNIS | ARCTIC SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES
ACADEMIC MATTERS
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ACADEMIC CALENDAR
DEADLINE FOR SEMESTER REGISTRATION
Autumn semester 2014: July – December Spring semester 2015: January – June
Autumn semester: September 1 Spring semester: February 1
CREDITS AND GRADES
SEMESTER FEE
UNIS uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for credits. One semester of full-time study is 30 ECTS and one year is 60 ECTS. UNIS follows the ECTS standard grading system, with a descending scale from A (top mark) to E for pass and F for fail.
All students registered for courses at UNIS must pay a semester fee in order to sit the exam. Students on an exchange program (Erasmus, NORDPLUS or the Fellowship Programme for Studies in the High North) are however exempted from paying the semester fee. The semester fee must be paid within the registration deadline. Currently the semester fee is NOK 500.
Some courses are graded with “pass” or “fail”. In order to pass a course at UNIS the student must pass all assessments that are part of the course. Compulsory learning activities: Please note that most courses include compulsory activities (fieldwork, lab work, etc.), that must be completed and approved in order for a student to sit the exam. See course descriptions for details.
REGISTRATION Students admitted into courses at UNIS, who are enrolled at other Norwegian universities, will remain registered at these universities. These students must pay the semester fee and register for exams at their home university’s Student Web. International students will be registered at The Arctic University of Norway if no other arrangements have been made. The registration process will take place after arrival at UNIS.
TRANSCRIPTS AND CERTIFICATES UNIS is not a university, but a university centre, and as such not accredited to offer any programs or degrees, or to issue official transcripts of records. Upon request, a transcript can be issued by the Norwegian university where the student is registered.
UNIS COURSES AS PART OF YOUR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION We recommend all our students to get their UNIS courses approved by their home institution in advance.
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UNIS | ARCTIC SCIENCE FOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
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ACCOMMODATION
ACADEMIC EXPENSES UNIS does not have a tuition fee, but in addition to the semester fee mentioned above, students must pay a daily rate of NOK 200 for overnight scientific cruises, fieldwork and excursions. More detailed information about course costs is included in the course descriptions.
FINANCING UNIS students are themselves responsible for financing their studies. UNIS offers no financial aid or scholarships. UNIS does not help students with applying for financial assistance either within or outside of Norway. The cost of living on Svalbard is approximately the same as in the rest of Norway. Stipulated costs for accommodation and food is ca. NOK 9 400 per month. Norwegian students can apply for support from Statens Lånekasse.
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All students must participate in the UNIS safety training. All UNIS students are insured during UNIS field activities, when properly registered in the field log before leaving UNIS. During leisure time you will need private insurance coverage. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate types of insurance. This applies to travel, accident and health insurance.
SAFETY AND INSURANCE
UNIS has no responsibility for activities during leisure time. Students must make necessary preparations and safety precautions for private trips. All Nordic citizens are insured through the Norwegian public health insurance. All other citizens should check with their local authorities whether their home country insurance is valid on Svalbard.
UNIS PART OF CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: BIOCEED
The student housing facilities in Longyearbyen are owned and administered by the Norwegian Arctic Student Welfare Organization. The student housing is located in Nybyen, about 3 km from the UNIS campus Please note that there is no public transport in Longyearbyen. In autumn 2014, a new student housing building located next to UNIS, will be opened. The students must themselves apply for housing after being accepted at a UNIS course. You will find more information regarding accommodation at www.unis.no/studies under “Accommodation”
GENERAL INFORMATION BEFORE ARRIVAL Information regarding how to get to Svalbard, what to bring, and general information about Svalbard and Longyearbyen, can be found at www.unis.no/studies under “Student life”. In addition you will receive necessary practical information in your admission letter and by e-mail.
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UNIS is the core of the Svalbard Science Centre, an international Arctic centre of expertise in research and education, inaugurated in April 2006. Other scientific institutions, such as The Norwegian Polar Institute, and Svalbard Science Forum, are also located in the building.
THE UNIS CAMPUS
UNIS can offer modern lab facilities, PC labs, wireless network all over the building and a modern library. More information is found at www.unis.no/studies under “Student life”.
From 2014 UNIS is a part of a Norwegian Centre for excellence in biology education, funded by the Research Council of Norway. bioCEED is a collaboration between biology programs at The University of Bergen (UiB) and Svalbard (Arctic Biology at UNIS), science education (Higher Education Research Unit, UIB) and practical training (represented by The Institute for Marine Research, but including a range of private and public research, industry, and environmental management institutions), as well as partners at home and abroad.
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the Svalbard Science Centre
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www.uarctic.org
UNIVERSITY OF THE ARCTIC
UNIS is a member of the University of the Arctic (UArctic). UArctic is an international nongovernmental organization dedicated to higher education in and about the Circumpolar North. Students at UNIS can participate in online courses of the Circumpolar Studies Program (BCS).
UNIS OFFERS TWO COURSE COMBINATIONS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE BCS: POLAR METEOROLOGY AND OCEANOGRAHY
ARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
AGF-213 AND AGF 214 (30 ETCS)
AT-209 AND AT-210 (30 ETCS)
For further information on the BCS, see www.uarctic.org/bcs
modern lab facilities
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UNIS can offer modern lab facilities. Photo: Riko Noormets/UNIS
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UNIS is located in the Svalbard Science Centre. Photo: Nils Petter Dale
UNIS participates in the UArctic student mobility program, North2North, enabling students at other UArctic member institutions to receive scholarships for studying a semester at UNIS. Special requirement and application deadlines apply. More information:www.uarctic.org/north2north UNIS is co-leading the UArctic Thematic Network on Permafrost, and will host two International Bachelor Permafrost Summer Field Schools during 2014 and 2015. Young researchers at UArctic institutions can get training with shorter courses in relevant fields. An overview of these are found at www.uarctic.org/fieldschool
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UNIS | COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
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200-LEVEL = BACHELOR 300-LEVEL = MASTER 800-LEVEL = PHD
* = INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES S = RUNS IN JUNE OR JULY
ARCTIC BIOLOGY COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2014 SPRING 2015
FREQUENCY
Bachelor AB-201
Terrestrial Arctic Biology
15
X
AB-202
Marine Arctic Biology
15
X
Yearly
AB-203
Arctic Environmental Management
15
AB-206
Arctic Ecology and Population Biology
5
AB-320/820
Arctic Marine Zooplankton
AB-322
Flux of Matter and Energy from Sea to Land
AB-325/825
Biotelemetric Methods
10
AB-327/827
Arctic Microbiology
10
X (S)
Every 2nd year
AB-329/829
Arctic Winter Ecology
10
X
Every 2nd year
AB-332/832
Arctic Marine Molecular Ecology
10
X
Yearly
AB-333/833
Arctic Winter Limnology
10
AB-334/834
Underwater Robotics and Polar Night Biology
10
AB-335
Ecosystem-based Management of Arctic Marine Systems
10
X
AB-336/836
Arctic Mycology
10
X
AB-337/837
Seminar series in Arctic Ecology
2
X
X
Yearly
X
Yearly
X (S)
Yearly
10
X
Every 2nd year
10
X (S)
Every 2nd year
Master/PhD
X
Every 2nd year
X
Yearly
X
Yearly Yearly Yearly
X
Every semester
COURSES NOT OFFERED IN 2014-2015, BUT TO BE OFFERED IN 2015-2016 COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2015 SPRING 2016
FREQUENCY
Bachelor AB-204
Arctic Ecology and Population Biology
15
X
Yearly
AB-321/821
Ecology of Arctic Marine Benthos
10
X
Every 2nd year
AB-323/823
Light Climate and Primary Productivity in the Arctic
10
AB-326/826
Arctic Plant Ecology
10
AB-330/830
Ecosystems in Ice Covered Waters
10
Master/PhD X X
Every 2nd year Every 2nd year
X
Every 2nd year
UNIS | COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
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200-LEVEL = BACHELOR 300-LEVEL = MASTER 800-LEVEL = PHD
* = INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES S = RUNS IN JUNE OR JULY
ARCTIC GEOLOGY COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2014 SPRING 2015
FREQUENCY
Bachelor AG-204
The Physical Geography of Svalbard
15
X
Yearly
AG-209
The Tectonic and Sedimentary History of Svalbard
15
X
Yearly
AG-210
The Quaternary and Glacial Geology of Svalbard
15
X
Yearly
AG-211 AG-218/219
Arctic Marine Geology
15
X
Yearly
10/5
X (S)
Yearly
International Bachelor Permafrost Summer Field School
Master/PhD X
AG-322/822
Fold and Thrust Belts and Foreland Basin Systems
10
AG-323/823
Sequence Stratigraphy - A Tool for Basin Analysis
10
AG-325/825
Glaciology
10
AG-326/826
Quaternary Glacial and Climate History of the Arctic
10
AG-330/830
Permafrost and Periglacial Environments
10
AG-332/832
Arctic Late Quaternary Glacial Stratigraphy – Field School
10
X (S)
Yearly
AG-334/834
Arctic Basins and Petroleum Provinces
10
X
Every 2nd year
AG-335/835
Arctic Seismic Exploration
10
AG-338/838
Sedimentology field course - from Depositional Systems to Sedimentary Architecture
10
X (S)
Yearly
AG-340
Arctic Glaciers and Melt Season Dynamics
10
X
Yearly
AG-342/842
The Marine Cryosphere and its Cenozoic History
10
X
Yearly
AG-345/845
Dating Methods and Application in Arctic Terrestrial and Marine Quaternary Geology
10
X
Yearly
AG-346
Snow and Avalanche Dynamics
10
AG-844
Dynamics of Calving Glaciers
5
X
Yearly Yearly
X X
Yearly Every 2nd year
X
X
X X
Yearly
Every 2nd year
Yearly Every 2nd year
COURSES NOT OFFERED IN 2014-2015, BUT TO BE OFFERED IN 2015-2016 COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2015 SPRING 2016
FREQUENCY
Master/PhD AG-336/836
Rift Basin Reservoirs: From Outcrop to Model
10
X
Every 2nd year
AG-339/839
Reconstruction of Glacial Marine Sedimentary Processes and Environments on High-latitude Continental Margins
10
X
Every 2nd year
AG-341/841
Geological Constraints of CO2 Sequestration
10
X
Every 2nd year
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UNIS | COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
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200-LEVEL = BACHELOR 300-LEVEL = MASTER 800-LEVEL = PHD
* = INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES S = RUNS IN JUNE OR JULY
ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2014 SPRING 2015
FREQUENCY
Bachelor AGF-210
The Middle Polar Atmosphere
15
AGF-211
Air – Ice – Sea Interaction I
15
X
Yearly
AGF-212
Snow and Ice Processes
15
AGF-213
Polar Meteorology and Climate
15
X
AGF-214
Polar Ocean Climate
15
X
AGF-216*
The Stormy Sun and the Northern Lights
5
X
Yearly
AGF-301/801
The Upper Polar Atmosphere
15
X
Yearly
AGF-304/804
Radar Diagnostics of Space Plasma
15
X
Yearly
AGF-311/811
Air-Ice-Sea Interaction II
10
AGF-312
Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
10
AGF-345/845
Polar Magnetospheric Substorms
10
AGF-352/852
Chemical Oceanography in the Arctic
10
X
Yearly
X
Yearly Yearly Yearly
Master/PhD
X
Every 2nd year X
X
Yearly Yearly
X
Yearly
COURSES NOT OFFERED IN 2014-2015, BUT TO BE OFFERED IN 2015-2016 COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2015 SPRING 2016
FREQUENCY
Master/PhD AGF-350/850
The Arctic Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Local Climate Processes
10
X
Every 2nd year
UNIS | COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
COURSES AT UNIS 2014-2015
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200-LEVEL = BACHELOR 300-LEVEL = MASTER 800-LEVEL = PHD
* = INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES S = RUNS IN JUNE OR JULY
ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2014 SPRING 2015
FREQUENCY
Bachelor AT-205
Frozen Ground Engineering for Arctic Infrastructures
15
AT-209*
Arctic Hydrology and Climate Change
15
X
X
Yearly
AT-210*
Arctic Environmental Pollution
15
X
AT-211
Ice Mechanics, Loads on Structures and Instrumentation
15
X
Yearly
AT-212
Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology
15
X
Yearly
AT-301/801
Arctic Infrastructures in a Changing Climate
10
AT-307F/807F
Arctic Offshore Engineering – Fieldwork
3
AT-314/814
Advanced Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology
10
AT-324/824
Techniques for the detection of Organo-Chemical Pollutants in the Arctic Environment
10
AT-327/827
Arctic Offshore Engineering
10
AT-329
Cold Regions Field Investigations
10
X
Yearly
AT-330/830
Arctic Environmental Toxicology
10
X
Yearly
AT-331/831
Arctic Environmental Pollution: Atmospheric Distribution and Processes
10
X
Yearly
AT-332/832
Physical Environmental Loads on Arctic Coastal and Offshore Structures
10
Yearly Yearly
Master/PhD X
Yearly X
X
Yearly Yearly
X X
Yearly Yearly
X
Yearly
GENERAL COURSES 2014-2015 COURSE
COURSE NAME
ECTS
AUTUMN 2014 SPRING 2015
FREQUENCY
AS-101**
Arctic Survival and Safety Course (1 week)
3
X
Yearly
SH-201***
The History of Svalbard (2 weeks)
6
X
Yearly
** This course is compulsory for all enrolled full semester (30 ECTS) students at UNIS, and cannot be applied for separately. ***This course is open to all enrolled students at UNIS, and to the Longyearbyen public. There is no application process.
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AB-201 students sample tadpole shrimp nearby Ny-Ålesund at 79°N. Photo: Steve Coulson/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY
ARCTIC BIOLOGY Despite the apparent harshness of the High Arctic, many organisms are well adapted to this environment. The fauna and flora of Svalbard includes more than 1,800 marine invertebrate species, 1,200 terrestrial or freshwater invertebrate species and over 170 higher plant species in addition to the 21 mammal and 28 bird species. UNIS emphasizes the biological studies (taxonomy, diversity, ecology, physiology) of the fauna and flora of Svalbard related to the physical and chemical environment. Easy access to key habitats give students and staff at UNIS a unique opportunity to identify and quantify environmental threats in addition to basic knowledge of the Arctic. Field activities are undertaken year-round in combination with classroom activities and laboratory exercises. This integrated approach provides students with a first-hand experience of the biological processes and the natural history of the terrestrial, limnic and marine flora and fauna in an Arctic environment. The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) has awarded UNIS, together with University of Bergen and Institute of Marine Research a Centre of Excellence in Higher Education (SFU). SFU is a national Norwegian prestige programme to promote standards in higher education, and implies a focussed and long-term commitment to stimulate the teaching and learning methods at bachelor and masters level.
Part of the motivation for BioCEED (Centre of Excellence in Biology Education) is to further develop the integration of field-based activities and the link to ongoing research in our education. The first noticeable change is a reorganisation of our bachelor courses. In 2015 the marine biology course (AB-202) will be offered in the spring semester and the Arctic Ecology course (AB-204) in the autumn semester. This will enable us to improve the overall field component of the courses by linking them more effectively to on-going research, as well as giving a tighter link between courses offered in the same semester. More information about Arctic Biology at UNIS can be found at this webpage: www.unis.no/studies/biology
BACHELOR COURSES OVERVIEW: AUTUMN
SPRING
AB-206* AB-201 AB-202
AB-203 AB-202
* = Preparatory course recommended for students admitted into AB-201
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - BACHELOR COURSES
AB-201
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Terrestrial Arctic Biology (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (August-December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum, ca. 650 pages based on scientific papers and book chapters COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Steve Coulson steve.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within general natural sciences, of which 30 ECTS within the field of biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have knowledge of origin, evolution and development of the arctic terrestrial flora and fauna. Have knowledge of how various species groups, like bacteria, fungi, mosses, vascular plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals are adapted to live under marginal arctic conditions. Have insight into the ecological and trophical interactions between these various species groups, and how various abiotic factors, including climate change, affect this interplay. Know and be able to exemplify current research topics and debated hypotheses within arctic terrestrial research. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have skills in reading, presenting and debating scientific literature. Have skills in basic field methods, like putting up insect traps, collection of limnic samples, and vegetation analyses. Be able to conduct basic laboratory analyses, for instance analyses of soil and water parameters. Have skills in analysing collected field and laboratory data using basic statistical tools, and write a scientific report. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Through “learning by doing�, have gained competence in how to plan a field-based research project. Be able to relate and explain observations made by one self to knowledge achieved through lectures and literature.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course offers an introduction to terrestrial and fresh water biological communities of the Arctic, approached by considering the development of the arctic terrestrial biota,
adaptations of organisms to Arctic terrestrial habitats and how the organism interacts, both within and between trophic levels, with a special emphasis on the vascular plants and invertebrate fauna of Svalbard. The role of the climatic history and the current physical conditions of the Arctic as well as the biological interactions in shaping arctic communities will be explored in comparison with communities of other terrestrial and limnic regions. The structure and diversity of plant communities, both at species and gene level, will be studied in relation to evolutionary history, plant traits, climate, soil properties, soil micro-flora and herbivory. For invertebrates, the emphasis will be on the ecology of those groups that are of greatest significance on Svalbard. Limnology is included as an element of this course with both field projects and linked lectures. Among the vertebrates the ecology of terrestrial birds and mammals and freshwater fish will be discussed. The link between terrestrial and marine ecosystems through seabirds and sea-mammals will be discussed, but this will be dealt with in more detail in the course AB-202 Marine Arctic Biology.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. The first weeks of the course have an intensive programme, with a combination of introductory lectures, field trips and project work. The students are divided into groups, and given the responsibility to develop small research project under guidance. The field cruise and day trips around Longyearbyen aim to show the students the variety of arctic habitats, and how the flora and fauna shifts along various abiotic and biotic gradients. During the field cruise, the students collect field data for their project work. After the field cruise, we spend an intensive week at the lab, analysing collected samples. During the semester, parallel with lectures, seminars and lab sessions, the students work with analyses and interpretations of their data, and each group deliver a written report and present their data orally. Current research questions and methodology will be discussed in seminar sessions. Total lecture hours: 50 hours.
Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Laboratory work: 6 days. Excursion: 10 days (7 days field cruise, 3 days in the vicinity of Longyearbyen).
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, seminars, lab work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report Written exam
5 hours
Percentage of final grade
25% 75%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - BACHELOR COURSES
AB-202
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Marine Arctic Biology (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
2014; Autumn semester (August-December). 2015; Spring semester (January-May/June). Yearly. LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list: Sakshaug et al. (2009): “Ecosystem Barents Sea”. ca. 80 pages from articles. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
2014: Tove M. Gabrielsen; tove.gabrielsen@unis.no 2015: Janne Søreide; janne.soreide@unis.no
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course gives an introduction to the most common Arctic marine organisms, and their adaptations to the marine Arctic environment. Protists, zooplankton, fish, benthic invertebrates, seabirds and marine mammals will be described and used as a background to discuss marine processes in pack-ice, ice-free water masses and on the bottom of Arctic seas and fjords. Emphasis will also be put on the complexity of Arctic marine ecosystems from primary producers to top predators, the biomass and productivity at different trophic levels, and how the arctic marine system functions. Elementary physical oceanography will be included.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
COURSE COSTS:
The course extends over a full semester.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
Prior to the course autumn 2014, students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. Prior to the course spring 2015, students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101).
Fieldwork, NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) 5/18 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within general natural sciences, of which 30 ECTS within the field of biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge: Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Describe the key species of arctic marine pelagos and benthos. Describe the functional groups and the main links between these in the arctic marine ecosystem. Explain the influence of environmental parameters on the different communities of the Arctic marine ecosystem. Understand how the seasonality of the Arctic ecosystem influence the timing of marine processes. Skills: Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Utilize standard marine sampling techniques. Identify the most common species of the Arctic marine flora and fauna using available literature. Assess and evaluate the data collected and analysed in marine ecology. General competences: Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Communicate their results to the scientific community. Write scientific reports based on own samples and data analyses.
Total lecture hours: 50 hours. Seminars: 10 hours. Lab exercises: 3-6 days. Field cruise: 7 days. The field cruise will allow students to learn how to use standard marine biological sampling techniques from the pelagos, benthos and if possible the sea ice ecosystem. Collecting and analysis of relevant environmental parameters (light, salinity, temperature) will be done during the cruise. Student projects will be arranged for students to learn how to analyse the marine ecological data collected during the cruise. The projects will include both group work (field report) and individual work (term paper/poster).
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field cruise, laboratory exercises. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Field report (group work) Term paper/poster Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
20% 20% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
17
18
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - BACHELOR COURSES
AB-203
|
Arctic Environmental Management (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester (January-May/June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list: 650 pages based on scientific papers and book chapters COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Steve Coulson steve.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/25 students
General competences: Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to demonstrate an understanding of ecological interactions and the effects of human activity on this ecology in relation to polar regions, and also the pressures caused by increased human activity in this region and the potential threats. Appreciate the concept of sustainable exploitation. Be able to demonstrate an ability to present a management based theme to an audience and to debate this subject. Have experience of the negotiation procedures resulting in the signing of international treaties and conventions, and the complexities of such negotiations including the consequence of diverse cultural values. Be able to indicate the strengths and weaknesses of such agreements. Have knowledge of the governance of the Arctic, and an understanding of the on-going development in Arctic regions and international tensions. Have experience of working as part of a team in managing conflicting aspirations and needs. Be able to apply key knowledge and skills acquired to other global regions and make informed knowledge-based decisions.
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within general natural sciences, of which 30 ECTS within the field of biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge: Upon completing the course, the students will have: First-hand knowledge of the key Arctic environmental issues, in particular, a comprehensive understanding of ecological system, management schemes, legal frameworks and challenges pertaining to the environmental and the utilization of natural resources in the Arctic. An understanding of the complexity of Arctic management including fisheries, minerals, pollutants, environmental impact assessments, Svalbard Treaty and Svalbard Environmental Act, international law and international relations, and the ecology of Arctic animals. An understanding of how these factors influence sustainable harvesting, the philosophy of management and environmental protection. Gained a comprehension of the stresses on the environment and communities inhabiting this unique region and of the intricacy of Arctic environmental issues and the cross-state boundary nature of these concerns. Skills: Upon completing the course, the students will have: Basic skills and background to pursue a career in environmental conservation and the management of natural resources will be gained. A clear comprehension and understanding of, and an ability to manage, the current principle stressors impacting the Arctic. An ability to assess conflicting demands and aspirations as well as understand cultural differences.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The development of management strategies and practice is presented against a background of knowledge concerning the geophysical, biological processes and politics characterizing the Arctic. The focus is on the Svalbard region of the European Arctic. The course presents an introduction to the Svalbard community; the Svalbard Treaty; international conventions, and legal regulations as a framework for managerial rule in the Svalbard region, Arctic Council and international organizations; structure, legal basis and fields of responsibilities for institutions involved in the management of Arctic natural resources; the philosophy of Arctic management, basic information on the Arctic geophysical environment, ecosystems and resource dynamics, human presence in the Arctic geophysical environmental, ecosystem, and natural resources; challenges and conflict scenarios relating to resource management in the Arctic including environmental impact assessment protocols; environmental strategies, encroachment analysis and assessment systems for ecological key components relating to environment and resource management. The course introduces students to procedures, methods and technology central to environmental monitoring and management planning. Role playing workshops provide insight into the subtle role of cultural differences in the management of the Arctic.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - BACHELOR COURSES
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). The course is based around lectures with additional seminars, role-playing workshops and presentation sessions. The lectures outline the various aspects of the environment and human activity including exploitation of resources and governance. The Barents Sea region is used as a case study. Lectures are supported by field excursions to illustrate themes presented in the classroom. The workshops illustrate in a practical manner the complexities of international negotiations, including the importance of appreciating cultural values, and the process of writing a comprehensive and inclusive environmental impact assessment. 20% of the course assessment comes from a presentation students deliver to the remainder of the course, during the course period. Research for these presentations requires students to gain first hand views and opinions of people living and working in Longyearbyen. These presentations provide the students with the opportunity to discuss in depth a
|
Professor Geir Johnsen holding a lecture for AB-334/834 students. Photo: Jan Sivert Hauglid/UNIS
subject pertinent to environmental management with actors in Longyearbyen and present their findings to an audience. Total lecture hours: 70 hours. Total workshop and seminar hours: 27 hours. Excursions: 2-4 excursions.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: All workshops, seminars and excursions, oral presentation. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Oral presentation of case study Written exam
5 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 80%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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20
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - BACHELOR COURSES
AB-206
|
Introduction to Svalbard’s terrestrial flora and fauna (5 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn (summer) semester (July), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Systematic and species knowledge of about 100-120 vascular plant species, and the relevant fauna taxa COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Steve Coulson steve.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue. 5 hand outs in A4 binder at each examination station: 1, 2. Rønning 1996 Svalbard’s flora in English and Norwegian. 3. List of plant names with synonyms. 4, 5. Additional Draba and Festuca keys. 6. Overview of mites and collembolans. 7. Diptera key.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within natural sciences, of which 30 ECTS within the field of biology. The course is strongly recommended as a preparation for students following the autumn course AB-201 Arctic Terrestrial Biology, and students participating in AB-201 will be prioritized.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The intentions behind this course are to give bachelor students an introduction to the main taxonomic groups present in Svalbard, the importance of systematic research, nomenclature (Latin) and the difficulties related to taxonomy in many arctic species, which often have wide distribution ranges, and show high levels of intraspecific variation.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course is a twelve day intensive course including compulsory safety training. After introductory lectures during the first day, we will spend one day in the field in the vicinity of Longyearbyen where we will set out insect traps and collect plant material. The next two or three days will be focused on vascular plants, with complimentary lectures, field work, and laboratory exercises. Then the insect traps will be retrieved and the sampled material prepared and identified in the laboratory during the following two to three days. Current research questions and methodology will be discussed in seminar sessions. Total lecture hours: 10 hours. Total seminar hours: 3 hours. Laboratory work: 18 hours. Excursions: 5 days (one full day, four shorter days).
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, seminar and laboratory exercises. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Practical exam
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to list names and describe characters of terrestrial species or taxa in Svalbard, with main focus on vascular plants, invertebrates and birds.
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have basic experience in use of identification keys, to set up insect traps, and how to collect and preserve herbarium specimens. Be able to identify common species in field. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight into the use of phylogeny, taxonomy, systematics, species concepts and the various techniques used in systematic research.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - MASTER COURSES
AB-320
|
Arctic Marine Zooplankton (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (September-October), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-820 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature. 300-350 pages in addition to lectures
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The students will gain insight into the taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of the main zooplankton species in Svalbard waters and the polar basin North of Svalbard. The course has a special emphasis on hands-on identification of zooplankton as well as processes important for understanding the Arctic ecosystem. Lectures deal with identification of zooplankton species, life history traits of arctic zooplankton, trophic interactions and vertical migration (both seasonal and diel). The practical field work will be designed by the teachers and implemented into the course. It will vary from year-to-year depending on selection of research projects by the lecturers.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Jørgen Berge jorgen.berge@uit.no UNIS contact person: To be announced COURSE COSTS:
Scientific cruise: ca. NOK 3000 (ca. 15 days x 200 NOK per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-320/820 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme in Biology and knowledge similar to AB-202 Arctic Marine Biology
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have thorough knowledge of common arctic marine zooplankton species found in Svalbard waters, and the oceanographic and ecological interactions that determine their spatial and temporal abundance patterns. Understand food-web interactions in the pelagic zone, how zooplankton communities impact ecosystem function, and the impacts of climatic change and human activities on zooplankton community patterns. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be capable of operating common sampling gears for zooplankton, and treating/processing zooplankton samples. Hold skills gained by practical experience in the use of acoustics for detecting and analyzing biomass and movements of biomass. Be able to conduct univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of plankton data. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have the ability to use scientific literature, lecture material, and shipboard experience to develop and test hypotheses about Arctic marine zooplankton. Have the ability to select appropriate sampling methods, to construct sampling plans, and to prepare data for discussion and evaluation in the context of the study hypotheses.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4-5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-820. One-week theoretical introduction and preparation of field activities will be followed by a two-week research cruise. During this cruise, sampling will be conducted in different localities around Svalbard (fjord and off-shelf). The last part of the course (around 2 weeks) will contain lab exercises focused on species identification and other relevant analysis of the collected material on which a lab report will be submitted. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work /exercises / seminars: 30 hours. Scientific cruise: ca. 2 weeks.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, laboratory report, oral presentation of report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Practical exam
3 hours
Written exam
5 hours
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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22
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - MASTER COURSES
AB-322
|
Flux of Matter and Energy from Sea to Land (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (June-July), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Geir Wing Gabrielsen geir@npolar.no UNIS contact person: Ingibj枚rg Svala J贸nsd贸ttir ingibjorg.svala.jonsdottir@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme in biology. Basic knowledge of chemistry.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge: Upon completing the course, the students will: Have an understanding of all aspects of pollutants, matter, nutrient and energy fluxes from sea to land in the Arctic. Be able to describe research based methods to study fluxes in Arctic ecosystems. Skills: Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to separate different seabird species, have knowledge on their ecology and their role in the Arctic ecosystem. Be able to conduct research based field work within marine- and terrestrial ecology, using relevant sampling techniques and methods to analyse collected data. General competences: Upon completing the course, the students will: Have practical experience from doing field sampling, putting field data into scientific contexts, conducting analyses of data and making interpretations of data.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The students will gain insight into seabird ecology and fluxes of matter and energy from marine to terrestrial ecosystems. The course will focus on the connections across the terrestrial-marine boundary, and the importance of the marine environment and productivity for some Arctic terrestrial ecosystems.
The main topic of interest will be Arctic seabirds that nest in large, dense colonies, their dependence on the hydrological regime and biological productivity in the waters around Svalbard. The impact of seabirds on the terrestrial ecosystem will be studied. Bird guano has an important fertilizing effect on the vegetation in the vicinity of colonies. The lush green area below seabird colonies is an eye-catching feature of an otherwise impoverished arctic landscape. These green oases are important grazing areas for herbiovores such as the Svalbard reindeer, Svalbard ptarmigan and geese and are also important hunting areas for carnivores such as the arctic fox. Students will also focus on the interdependence of terrestrial and marine environments for important groups of arctic animals. The connection between land and sea will be described and quantified on the basis of our current understanding of the topic. In order to get a first-hand experience, the students will have one week of intensive field work, analysis of samples in the laboratory and putting these data into a model to calculate the fluxes from sea to land.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4-5 weeks including compulsory safety training. Learning will be achieved via a combination of lectures, intensive field-, lab- and group work. One week theoretical introduction and preparation of field activities will be followed by one week of field activities (work in the seabird colony and marine- and terrestrial excursions). Sampling will be conducted both in the seabird colony (Bj酶rndalen) and on the boat (Advent Fiord). The last part of the course will include lectures, laboratory analyses of samples, and work on a course report. Working in groups, the students will produce a scientific course report on the flux of matter and energy from the sea to the land, based on the course theory, field- and lab work. An oral presentation of the report sums up the course. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work: 25 hours. Excursions / field work: 7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, laboratory work, course report and oral presentation of the report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - MASTER COURSES
AB-325
|
Biotelemetric Methods (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester (April-May), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-825 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list ca. 350 pages (30-35 scientific articles) COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Kit M. Kovacs kit.kovacs@npolar.no UNIS contact person: Steve Coulson steve.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Excursions, NOK 600-800 (3-4 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AB-325/825 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Students should be enrolled in a relevant master biology programme. Basic knowledge of statistics and computing, and a completed bachelor programme in biology, are required. Students using biologging or telemetric instrumentation in field studies of vertebrate taxa, within their current master programmes will be given preference. The course is intended for master students working with projects involving field studies of vertebrate taxa.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a thorough knowledge base regarding a wide array of biologging and biotelemetry techniques and a fundamental understanding of their applicability in advanced research undertakings, involving a wide taxonomic array of animals. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have practical experience using both basic and advanced telemetry equipment. Be able to (1) operate VHF receivers and track animals in the wild using this technology; (2) operate active underwater acoustic recording systems and remote sampling devices such as camera-monitoring systems; (3) down-load and analyze data from a variety of different instrument types including geolocators, passive and active acoustics systems, and advanced satellite-linked “tags” that sample location, environmental data and other biological data (such as physiological data). Have hands-on experience
in fish-telemetry surgical techniques and have acquired field skills via conducting tag deployments on other arctic animals (birds and/or mammals). General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to navigate with maps and GPS systems, operate safely in the field using snowmobiles and small boats, be able to select data logging or telemetry tools appropriate to given research questions/hypotheses and have a firm understanding of ethical treatment of wild animals the research community engages in telemetry studies.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course includes lectures, demonstrations, computer labs and practical exercises that introduce students to a selection of the most relevant techniques for biotelemetry and biologging field studies. This includes VHF-telemetry, satellite-based tracking with GPS and “phone-tag” technologies, transponders, acoustic sensing systems and selected physiological and behavioural sampling telemetric methods. Relevant technologies and analytical tools for environmental remote sensing will also be introduced. The course will include practical exercises and data processing methods. Laws and regulations pertaining to animal welfare and radio transmissions associated with the use of telemetric equipment and instrumentation of wild animals will be dealt with in lecture and discussion sessions. Students will have the opportunity to join field work in ongoing research programmes – the specifics of which will depend on the availability of such research projects within the time frame of the course. The students will present research seminars, oral reports from course activities and literature critiques, and draft research proposals. Topics include: • Basic principles for radio signal transmission & antenna theory • Telemetric technology, regulations and management of frequencies • Ethics (animal welfare) in biotelemetry/biologging • Introduction to VHF-based telemetry and GPSpositioning systems in biotelemetry- transmitters applications and limitations • Telemetry & biologging equipment - a manufacturers perspective • User “issues” – another manufacturer’s perspective – trouble shooting • Maps, mapping and GPS technology - Practical applications • Acoustic telemetry - Methods & Science questions • Range size, habitat use etc. (Storage, and retrieval of data and the integration of animal tracks and terrestrial environmental data) • An introduction to GIS tools • Design considerations/limitations in marine mammal biotelemetry
23
24
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - MASTER COURSES
• • • • • •
Biotelemetry and biologging with Svalbard’s marine mammals – case studies Linking marine mammal telemetry & the environment - MAMVIS & statistical tools Remote methods in sea bird research – transponders, photographic & case studies Fish tracking Physiological telemetry - applications and potential Looking into the future....
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Total lecture hours: ca. 35 hours. Total demonstration and exercises hours: 25 hours. Excursions: 3-4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Lectures, seminars, computer workshops, demonstrations, field exercises, laboratory work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT:
The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-825.
Method
See “Academic content” for an overview of the learning activities.
Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
AB-202 students showing off the catch of the day on a marine biology cruise. Photo: Frank Eggenfellner/UNIS
|
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - MASTER COURSES
AB-327
|
Arctic Microbiology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (June-July), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-827 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list; ca. 20 scientific papers COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: David Pearce dpearce@unis.no UNIS contact person: Pernille Bronken Eidesen pernille.bronken.eidesen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 200-400 (1-2 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-327/827 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
in Arctic microbiology. Theory sessions will cover Arctic microbial biodiversity (viruses, bacteria, cyanobacteria and eukaryotes), methods in Arctic microbiology (from classical microscopy, culture and physiology to modern biochemical, molecular and bioinformatic), Arctic biogeochemistry and nutrient cycles (energy, metabolism, geomicrobiology, carbon and nitrogen cycling), Arctic microbial ecology (trophic structure, food webs, feeding relationships, energy transfers, colonization, establishment and evolution) and hot topics in Arctic microbiology (effects of climate change, environmental change, human impact, biogeography and microbial diseases). Practical work is divided into three themes; detecting life at low levels, investigating new or unfamiliar Arctic environments and investigating selection pressures in a range of Arctic environments. Field work is focussed on the wide variety of habitats for microbial life on Svalbard; a marine section (using Viking Explorer to provide experience with CTD measurements, marine sediment sampling and a fjord transect) and a terrestrial section (using Polar Circle and UNIS Minibus to access both inner and outer fjord soil, freshwater, snow, ice, glacier and aerial habitats). In situ experiments are also conducted within easy reach of UNIS.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme in biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand the diversity of microbial life in the Arctic, forms, habitats types, interactions and limits. Know the factors which contribute to the growth and establishment of microorganisms in different environments. Be up to date with the current literature and research in Arctic Microbiology. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be familiar with laboratory techniques used in Arctic microbiology in the laboratory, and be aware of their limitations and scope. Have investigated and be able to describe the interaction of Arctic microorganisms with each other and their non-living environment. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand the role of microorganisms in nutrient and biogeochemical cycling and know how to make detailed measurements. Be able to express an informed contribution to debate about the role of microorganisms in different environments. Appreciate the role Arctic microbiology can play in the key scientific questions of today.
The course extends over five weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-827. The complimentary lectures, field and laboratory work will strengthen knowledge and practical skills. Experience will be gained of experimental design and field work in extreme environments. See “Academic content� for further presentation of learning activities. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work: 35 hours Field work/excursions: 6 days (may include an overnight stay at one of the field sites).
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Lectures, field excursions, laboratory work, written project (where applicable). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Laboratory notebook Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
25% 75%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course aims to provide Master students in biology with a comprehensive introduction to processes and mechanisms
25
26
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - MASTER COURSES
AB-329
|
Arctic Winter Ecology, 10 ECTS
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester (March), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-829 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature and book chapters, 300-350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir ingibjoerg.svala.jonsdottir@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None
and metabolic processes during the arctic winter. Special consideration is given to changes in winter conditions as a consequence of climate change. Based on the course literature, seminar discussions and lab and field studies, certain topics are dealt with in depth, such as morphological, physiological and life history traits related to winter survival in terrestrial plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, trophic interactions, ecosystem carbon balance during winter, and how the long arctic winter affects population dynamics, community structure, vertebrate social structures and overall ecosystem functioning. Strong emphasis is on field demonstrations of relevant features of the winter in the High Arctic for better understanding the selective forces of the arctic winter. Students get hands on training in the field and in the lab, training in research teamwork in data collection, data analysis and communication of scientific results, both oral and written.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-329/829 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme in biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Knowledge of environmental conditions during the arctic winter, adaptations and survival strategies that enable successful overwintering in terrestrial organisms. Insight into how winter conditions impact population dynamics, biological communities and terrestrial ecosystems. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in experimental laboratory work when addressing questions related to winter survival, and in doing field work under harsh conditions of the arctic winter. Skills in data collection and analysis. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Competence in teamwork. Understanding of possibilities and limitations for conducting research in the field under extreme winter conditions. Ability to interpret ecological experimental data and communicate results orally and in writing.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 1+4 weeks (see below) and is run in combination with AB-829. Prior to arrival at Svalbard students must read primary literature that has been sent to them in advance, and they must prepare for seminars (approximately one week of full time study). After arrival at UNIS, the course extends over 4 intensive weeks including compulsory safety training. See “Academic content” for an overview of the learning activities. Total lecture/seminar hours: 35 hours. Lab work: 20 hours. Field work: 8 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Literature seminars, field work and other course project work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Literature seminar presentation Written project report Oral presentation of report
Time
Percentage of final grade
20% 70% 10%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Introduction is given through lectures to geophysical characteristics of seasonal, northern environments, physical properties of snow and ice, basic thermodynamics, radiation and spectral topics, energy flow in ecosystems
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY - MASTER COURSES
AB-332
|
Arctic Marine Molecular Ecology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (October-November), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-832 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Tove M. Gabrielsen tove.gabrielsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 600-1000 (3-5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-332/832 in total)
ecology, environmental genomics and transcriptomics, trophic interactions, and in general in studies aiming to understand the evolutionary backdrop of ecological processes. UNIS provides a unique high-arctic molecular laboratory, and we will take the opportunity to utilize the Isfjorden system as our own marine laboratory where field projects will be conducted and samples for molecular genetic analyses will be collected. The combination of field-based high-arctic studies with the use of molecular genetic techniques enables an increased understanding of the high arctic ecosystem. The course will focus on select parts of the ecosystem, although giving an introduction to the whole system. The utility of molecular tools will be discussed and demonstrated, and will represent a significant part of the student projects.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-832.
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Describe the utility of molecular tools in marine ecology. Explain which molecular technique is most appropriate to different ecological questions. Understand the advantages and caveats of using molecular genetics in ecology. Briefly describe the key components of the Arctic marine ecosystem. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Utilize genetic tools for their own projects. Plan and carry out a study in molecular ecology. Use relevant statistic tools to analyse data obtained in typical molecular ecological projects. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Communicate their results to the scientific community. Write scientific reports based on own samples and data analyses. Collaborate on group projects.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Molecular genetics represents a continuously more significant part of the toolbox of marine ecologists. Such tools are invaluable in studies of e.g., biodiversity, microbial
Total lecture and seminar hours: 30-40 hours. Laboratory work: 7-10 days. Excursions: 3-5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, laboratory work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Project report Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AB-333
|
Arctic winter Limnology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester (March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-833 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Kirsten S. Christoffersen kchristoffersen@bio.ku.dk UNIS contact person: Steve Coulson steve.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 800-1000 (4-5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-333/833 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Specialized insight into physical, chemical and biological characteristic of arctic limnic ecosystems during the entire annual cycle and especially during winter. The ability to analyze how the environmental factors in the Arctic shape the biodiversity and ecological interactions in limnic ecosystems. Advanced insight into the taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of the main autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms in ponds and lakes at Svalbard. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Thorough knowledge of common arctic freshwater pelagic and benthic organisms as well as how to sample and analyse such communities. Experiences in methodological possibilities and limitations to run field sampling events and laboratory experiments. An analytic and critical approach to deal with scientific literature and other sources of information and how use these to structure and formulate hypotheses. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Experience in how to combine field data with empirical knowledge into a scientific context using statistical analysis and interpretation of biodiversity data. Skills to carry out an independent, limited research or
development project under supervision and in accordance with scientific norms. Experience in outreach activities of scientific matters including masters language and terminology of the academic field.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Limnology is the scientific study of lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It is an interdisciplinary science, encompassing the biology, chemistry, geology, and physics of freshwater systems. This course are focusing on the biology of organisms, from microbes to fish, of arctic lakes and ponds during winter, and how the various abiotic factors are influencing the biological diversity and ecology within these systems, the trohpic interactions, and nutrient and energy flows between the terrestrial and limnic systems. The role of streams and rivers as corridors for fauna and particles between inland and coastal areas are evaluated. The course will also emphasize the potential effects of global climate and environmental change and increased human activity on freshwater ecosystems in arctic regions.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4-5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-833. The course is based on a combination of lectures with guest teachers from several fields of limnology, various types of weekly commitments (paper presentations, exercises, discussions and essays), and laboratory work (experiments, microscopy and analyses) based on field samples. There are also scheduled hours for preparing the course report (which is part of the assessment). One or two field trips to lakes and ponds at and around Kapp LinnĂŠ will be used to demonstrate the different types of freshwater ecosystem and to collect samples for the students to work with in the laboratory. Total lecture hours: 20 hours. Total seminar hours: 8 hours. Laboratory work: 5-6 days. Excursion: 4-5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions and laboratory work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written report Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
75% 25%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AB-334
|
Underwater Robotics and Polar Night Biology (10 ECTS)
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-834.
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester (January-February), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-834 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list; ca. 450 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Geir Johnsen and Jørgen Berge Unis contact person: Tove Gabrielsen tove.gabrielsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 2000 (10 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
The course will include a practical deployment of a research mission using the available platforms / sensors. Research question for the deployment will be developed during the course together with the teachers. The report is developed in the form of a scientific paper. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total seminar hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work and excursions: 10 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions and laboratory work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
5/18 students (AB-334/834 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme in biology or technology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: To provide students with the ability to plan and conduct marine research using underwater robotics. In particular, concerning underwater robotics the students will be introduced to design, configuration, and hands-on operation of advanced platforms, both autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), during the polar night. Use and interpretation of sensor data will also be important part of course. A main ambition of the course is also to provide the students with broad and thorough insight into the biological patters and processes that characterize the Arctic polar night. Scientific question will be developed during the course, and platforms / sensors deployed accordingly.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course consist of 3 modules; 1. Underwater robotics and use of different sensors, 2. Mapping and monitoring of arctic bio-geo and chemical objects of interest, and 3. Polar night marine biology.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AB-335
|
Ecosystem-based Management of Arctic Marine Systems (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
international bodies. Be capable of producing a scientific paper or a scientific report relevant for reasoning a management advice.
Autumn semester (August-September), yearly
ACADEMIC CONTENT:
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
EBM is an environmental management approach that recognizes the full array of interactions within an ecosystem, including humans, rather than considering single issues, species, or ecosystem services in isolation. The integrated management of the marine environment in the Svalbard area is based on the framework laid out in the management plan for the marine environment of the Barents sea and the sea areas off the Lofoten islands. The course has a special emphasis on hands-on experience in using assessment tools in operation today such as swept area, acoustic integration, tuned VPA, biomass models and on-going processes to develop the EBM concept. The course has a strong focus on the biological and ecosystem input to a full EBM procedure.
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature: 300 - 350 pages, in addition to lectures COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Knut Sunnanå knut.sunnanaa@imr.no UNIS contact person: To be announced COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 2800 (14 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme in biology, and knowledge similar to AB-202 Arctic Marine Biology, and introductory university level in mathematics and biological statistics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to perform an assessment of the status of selected parts of the Arctic marine ecosystem. Have knowledge of particular parts of the assessment process and the underlying ecosystem properties. Have insight into established and new methods related to the assessment of single commercial stocks and into methods used to assess ecosystem health. Know and be able to discuss research and methods relevant for future ecosystem based management (EBM). Be able to list known and potential arctic species of commercial value and to explain how arctic ecosystems are managed.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over ca. 5 weeks including compulsory safety training. A one-week theoretical introduction and preparation of field activities will be followed by a two week research cruise. During the cruise the students will take part in the Institute of Marine research’s regular survey in Svalbard waters. Novel methods will be tested as part of the development of the EBM concept. Data collection will be conducted in different localities around Svalbard (fjord and off-shelf). The last part of the course (around 2 weeks) will be devoted to development of an assessment report based on methods carried out during the cruise. Total lecture hours: 30 hrs. Exercises/seminars: 30 hrs. Scientific cruise: 2 weeks.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, one oral presentation and one written report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to perform standard working methods on board a research vessel acquiring standard data for the purpose of producing management advice.
ASSESSMENT:
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to describe the process that starts with raw data and ends up in recommendations to national and
Written exam
Method
Time
Percentage of final grade
5 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AB-336
|
Arctic Mycology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (August), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-836 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature, 300-350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: To be announced UNIS contact person: Pernille Bronken Eidesen pernille.bronken.eidesen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 600 (3 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-336/836 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight into the diversity, function, and ecology of arctic fungi, various fungal associations and their importance in the arctic ecosystem. Know and be able to explain current methods and research questions. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to identify fungi both in the laboratory and in the field. Have skills in study design, data evaluation and technical report writing. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have gained competence in problem solving related to arctic mycology research, both practical in field, in the lab and at a theoretical level. Hold competence in both creative and critical thinking related to development of research projects, methodology, and evaluation of one’s own and published data.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Fungi are one of the most species-rich groups of organisms in the Arctic with a large significance for arctic ecosystem processes. However, the knowledge about arctic fungi is still scares, making arctic mycology an exciting topic. Through lectures, exercises and field work, the course will cover topics like 1) arctic fungal diversity and evolution, including methods of species identification and diversity assessment through field recognition, classical microscopy and recent molecular technology, 2) arctic fungal ecology, including food-webs and how mycorrhizal, saprotrophic and pathogenic fungi drive nutrient and energy cycling in the Arctic, 3) physiology and, 4) other mutualistic relationships like lichens.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4-5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-836. Learning activities includes lectures, seminar, lab-work, day excursions and excursions involving overnight stays. Within the context of several “hands on” student projects, and involvement in on-going projects at UNIS, students will be trained in study design, data evaluation and technical report writing. Total lecture hours: 20 hours Exercises/seminars: 8 hours Labwork: 5 days Excursions: 7 days
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Excursions, laboratory work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written report Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
70% 30%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AB-337
|
Seminars in Arctic Ecology and Evolution (2 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Every semester, yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
2 ECTS with AB-837 GRADE:
Pass/Fail COURSE MATERIALS:
10-15 scientific papers COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdottir ingibjoerg.svala.jonsdottir@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
8/18 students (AB-337/837 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
* Each student can register to the course four times, thus gaining up to 8 ECTS in total.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
the whole project or selected parts). The presentation is followed by discussion of both the scientific content as well as technical presentation aspects, under the supervision of the seminar facilitator (academic staff). In addition to providing insight into cutting-edge science within the field of ecology and evolution, the journal club aims at training critical reading of scientific papers with respect to problem addressed, methods used and interpretation of results. Each student presents one or more scientific papers of general interest (not too specialized), published in international journals, that have been approved by the seminar facilitator. The papers are distributed to the whole group one week before the presentation to enable the fellow students to prepare for the discussion.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 11 weeks (or less, on appointment with attending students), and is run in combination with AB-837. After an introductory meeting, the students will meet once or twice a week with a teacher/facilitator for double lecture hours (project presentation, paper presentation). Occasionally, lectures on specific topics will be given by the academic staff or guest lecturers. Total lecture/seminar hours: 23 hours
Enrolment in a master programme in biology.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Oral or poster presentation of own research, presentation of one or two papers of general interest from international journals, and participation in discussion during all seminars.
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight into cutting-edge science in ecology and evolution. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have the ability of critical reading of scientific papers and master presentation techniques. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to perform critical thinking, constructive criticism, and show the ability to take criticism. Be able to communicate research by oral and written means.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Performance during project and paper presentations, and participation in seminar discussions.
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course has two main foci, presentation of own work in progress and presentations and discussions of research papers (journal club). The aim of the first is to provide training in presentation of own research projects, either orally or by a poster. Each student presents her/his project (either
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A bearded seal taking a nap on an ice floe. Photo: Eva Therese Jenssen/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-820
|
Arctic Marine Zooplankton (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (September-October), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-320 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature. 400-450 pages in addition to lectures
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The students will gain insight into the taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of the main zooplankton species in Svalbard waters and the polar basin North of Svalbard. The course has a special emphasis on hands-on identification of zooplankton as well as processes important for understanding the Arctic ecosystem. Lectures deal with identification of zooplankton species, life history traits of arctic zooplankton, trophic interactions and vertical migration (both seasonal and diel). The practical field work will be designed by the teachers and implemented into the course. It will vary from year-to-year depending on selection of research projects by the lecturers.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Jørgen Berge jorgen.berge@uit.no
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
COURSE COSTS:
The course extends over 5-6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-320.
Scientific cruise, ca. NOK 3000 (ca. 15 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-320/820 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme in biology and knowledge similar to AB-202 Arctic Marine Biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have thorough knowledge of common arctic marine zooplankton species found in Svalbard waters, and the oceanographic and ecological interactions that determine their spatial and temporal abundance patterns. Understand food-web interactions in the pelagic zone, how zooplankton communities impact ecosystem function, and the impacts of climatic change and human activities on zooplankton community patterns. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be capable of operating common sampling gears for zooplankton, and treating/processing zooplankton samples. Hold skills gained by practical experience in the use of acoustics for detecting and analyzing biomass and movements of biomass. Be able to conduct univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of plankton data. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have the ability to use scientific literature, lecture material, and shipboard experience to develop and test hypotheses about Arctic marine zooplankton. This includes the ability to select appropriate sampling methods, to construct sampling plans, and to prepare data for discussion and evaluation in the context of the study hypotheses.
One-week theoretical introduction and preparation of field activities will be followed by a two-week research cruise. During this cruise, sampling will be conducted in different localities around Svalbard (fjord and off-shelf). The last part of the course (around 3 weeks) will contain lab exercises focused on species identification and other relevant analysis of the collected material on which a laboratory report will be submitted. The PhD students should by the end of the course be able to write a complete and concise scientific article based on the data from the cruise, including proper use of statistics, graphics, and the scientific literature. The last week of the PhD course is dedicated to writing this scientific report/paper, and will also include seminars on data analysis and presentation. Total lecture hours: 40 hours. Laboratory/exercises/seminars: 40 hours. Scientific cruise: ca. 2 weeks.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, laboratory report, oral presentation of report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Percentage of final grade
Practical exam
3 hours
Written exam
5 hours
33,3% 33,3% 33,3%
Written paper (scientific article)
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-825
|
Biotelemetric Methods (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (April-May), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-325 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list ca. 350 pages (30-35 scientific articles) COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Kit M. Kovacs kit.kovacs@npolar.no UNIS contact person: Steve Coulson steve.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Excursions, NOK 600-800 (3-4 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AB-325/825 in total)
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Students should be enrolled in a relevant PhD biology programme. Basic knowledge of statistics and computing, and a completed master programme in biology are required. Students using biologging or telemetric instrumentation in field studies of vertebrate taxa within their current PhD programmes will be given preference. The course is intended for PhD students working with projects involving field studies of vertebrate taxa.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a thorough knowledge base regarding a wide array of biologging and biotelemetry techniques and a fundamental understanding of their applicability in advanced research undertakings, involving a wide taxonomic array of animals. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have practical experience using both basic and advanced telemetry equipment. Be able to (1) operate VHF receivers and track animals in the wild using this technology; (2) operate active underwater acoustic recording systems and remote sampling devices such as camera-monitoring systems; (3) down-load and analyze data from a variety of different instrument types including geolocators, passive and active acoustics systems, and advanced satellite-linked “tags” that sample location, environmental data and other biological data (such as physiological data). Have hands-on experience in fish-telemetry surgical techniques and have acquired field skills via conducting tag deployments on other arctic animals (birds and/or mammals). General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to navigate with maps and GPS systems, operate safely in the field using snowmobiles and small boats, be
able to select data logging or telemetry tools appropriate to given research questions/hypotheses and have a firm understanding of ethical treatment of wild animals the research community engages in telemetry studies.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course includes lectures, demonstrations, computer labs and practical exercises that introduce students to a selection of the most relevant techniques for biotelemetry and biologging field studies. This includes VHF-telemetry, satellite-based tracking with GPS and “phone-tag” technologies, transponders, acoustic sensing systems and selected physiological and behavioural sampling telemetric methods. Relevant technologies and analytical tools for environmental remote sensing will also be introduced. The course will include practical exercises and data processing methods. Laws and regulations pertaining to animal welfare and radio transmissions associated with the use of telemetric equipment and instrumentation of wild animals will be dealt with in lecture and discussion sessions. Students will have the opportunity to join field work in ongoing research programmes – the specifics of which will depend on the availability of such research projects within the time frame of the course. The students will present research seminars and oral reports from course activities and literature critiques. The PhD students will also draft research proposals. Topics include: 1. Basic principles for radio signal transmission & antenna theory 2. Telemetric technology, regulations and management of frequencies 3. Ethics (animal welfare) in biotelemetry/biologging 4. Introduction to VHF-based telemetry andGPSpositioning systems in biotelemetry- transmitters applications and limitations 5. Telemetry & biologging equipment - a manufacturers perspective 6. User “issues” – another manufacturer’s perspective – trouble shooting 7. Maps, mapping and GPS technology - Practical applications 8. Acoustic telemetry - Methods & Science questions 9. Range size, habitat use etc. (Storage, and retrieval of data and the integration of animal tracks and terrestrial environmental data) 10. An introduction to GIS tools 11. Design considerations/limitations in marine mammal biotelemetry 12. Biotelemetry and biologging with Svalbard’s marine mammals – case studies 13. Linking marine mammal telemetry & the environment - MAMVIS & statistical tools 14. Remote methods in sea bird research – transponders, photographic & case studies 15. Fish tracking 16. Physiological telemetry - applications and potential 17. Looking into the future....
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-325.
Lectures, seminars, computer workshops, demonstrations, field exercises, laboratory work.
See “Academic content” for an overview of the learning activities.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Total lecture hours: ca. 35 hours. Total demonstration and exercises hours: 25 hours. Excursions: 3-4 days.
ASSESSMENT: Method Research proposal Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
10% 90%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
AB-204 students on excursion in Coles Bay. Photo: Øystein Varpe/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-827
|
Arctic Microbiology, 10 ECTS
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester (June-July), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-327 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list; ca. 20 scientific papers COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: David Pearce dpearce@unis.no UNIS contact person: Pernille Bronken Eidesen pernille.bronken.eidesen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 200-400 (1- 2 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-327/827 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
in Arctic microbiology.Theory sessions will cover Arctic microbial biodiversity (viruses, bacteria, cyanobacteria and eukaryotes), methods in Arctic microbiology (from classical microscopy, culture and physiology to modern biochemical, molecular and bioinformatic), Arctic biogeochemistry and nutrient cycles (energy, metabolism, geomicrobiology, carbon and nitrogen cycling), Arctic microbial ecology (trophic structure, food webs, feeding relationships, energy transfers, colonization, establishment and evolution) and hot topics in Arctic microbiology (effects of climate change, environmental change, human impact, biogeography and microbial diseases). Practical work is divided into three themes; detecting life at low levels, investigating new or unfamiliar Arctic environments and investigating selection pressures in a range of Arctic environments. Field work is focussed on the wide variety of habitats for microbial life on Svalbard; a marine section (using Viking Explorer to provide experience with CTD measurements, marine sediment sampling and a fjord transect) and a terrestrial section (using Polar Circle and UNIS Minibus to access both inner and outer fjord soil, freshwater, snow, ice, glacier and aerial habitats). In situ experiments are also conducted within easy reach of UNIS.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme in biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand the diversity of microbial life in the Arctic, forms, habitats types, interactions and limits. Know the factors which contribute to the growth and establishment of microorganisms in different environments. Be up to date with the current literature and research in Arctic Microbiology. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be familiar with laboratory techniques used in Arctic microbiology in the laboratory, and be aware of their limitations and scope. Have investigated and be able to illustrate the interaction of Arctic microorganisms with each other and their non-living environment. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand the role of microorganisms in nutrient and biogeochemical cycling and know how to make detailed measurements. Be able to express an informed contribution to debate about the role of microorganisms in different environments. Appreciate the role Arctic microbiology can play in the key scientific questions of today.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course aims to provide PhD students in biology with a comprehensive knowledge of processes and mechanisms
The course extends over five weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-327. The complimentary lectures, field and laboratory work will strengthen knowledge and practical skills. Experience will be gained of experimental design and field work in extreme environments. See “Academic content” for further presentation of learning activities. Students will be required to complete a short independent investigation within the course and to submit a report of this investigation as part of their assessment. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work: 35 hours Field work/excursions: 6 days
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Lectures, field excursions, laboratory work and laboratory/ field notebook, written project. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Laboratory notebook Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
25% 75%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-829
|
Arctic Winter Ecology, 10 ECTS
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (March), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-329 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature and book chapters, 300-350 pages
physical properties of snow and ice, basic thermodynamics, radiation and spectral topics, energy flow in ecosystems and metabolic processes during the arctic winter. Special consideration is given to changes in winter conditions as a consequence of climate change. Based on the course literature, seminar discussions and lab and field studies, certain topics are dealt with in depth, such as morphological, physiological and life history traits related to winter survival in terrestrial plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, trophic interactions, ecosystem carbon balance during winter, and how the long arctic winter affects population dynamics, community structure, vertebrate social structures and overall ecosystem functioning.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir ingibjoerg.svala.jonsdottir@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-329/829 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme in biology or another relevant PhD programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have cutting-edge knowledge of environmental conditions during the arctic winter, and of adaptations and survival strategies that enable successful overwintering in terrestrial organisms. Have insight into how winter conditions impact population dynamics, biological communities and terrestrial ecosystems. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have skills and show independence in experimental laboratory work when addressing questions related to winter survival. Be able to conduct field studies under harsh conditions of the arctic winter. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have competence in research teamwork and leadership. Understand possibilities and limitations for conducting research in the field under extreme winter conditions. Be able to interpret ecological experimental data in the context of cutting-edge science and independently communicate ecological results orally and in writing.
Strong emphasis is on field demonstrations of relevant features when the snow accumulation in the High Arctic is approaching maximum for better understanding the selective forces of the arctic winter. Students get hands on training in the field and in the lab, training in research teamwork and leadership, in data collection, data analysis and communication of scientific results, both oral and written.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 1+4 weeks (see below) and is run in combination with AB-329. Prior to arrival at Svalbard students must read primary literature that has been sent to them in advance, and they must prepare for seminars (approximately one week of full time study). After arrival at UNIS, the course extends over 4 intensive weeks including compulsory safety training. See “Academic content” for an overview of the learning activities. Total lecture/seminar hours: 35 hours. Lab work: 20 hours. Field work: 8 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Literature seminars, field work and other course project work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Literature seminar presentation Written project report
Time
Percentage of final grade
20% 70% 10%
ACADEMIC CONTENT:
Oral presentation of report
Introduction is given through lectures to geophysical characteristics of seasonal, northern environments,
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-832
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Arctic Marine Molecular Ecology (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester (October-November), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-332 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Tove M. Gabrielsen tove.gabrielsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 600-1000 (3-5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-332/832 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
UNIS provides a unique high-arctic molecular laboratory, and we will take the opportunity to utilize the Isfjorden system as our own marine laboratory where field projects will be conducted and samples for molecular genetic analyses will be collected. The combination of field-based high-arctic studies with the use of molecular genetic techniques enables an increased understanding of the high arctic ecosystem. The course will focus on select parts of the ecosystem, although giving an introduction to the whole system. The utility of molecular tools will be discussed and demonstrated, and will represent a significant part of the student projects.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5-6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-332. Total lecture and seminar hours: 30-40 hours. Laboratory work: 7-10 days. Excursions: 3-5 days
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, laboratory work.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Describe the utility of molecular tools in marine ecology. Explain which molecular technique is most appropriate to different ecological questions. Understand the advantages and caveats of using molecular genetics in ecology. Briefly describe the key components of the Arctic marine ecosystem. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Utilize genetic tools for their own projects. Plan and carry out a study in molecular ecology. Use relevant statistic tools to analyse data obtained in typical molecular ecological projects. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Communicate their results to the scientific community. Write scientific reports based on own samples and data analyses. Being responsible for the planning and leading of small research projects.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Molecular genetics represents a continuously more significant part of the toolbox of marine ecologists. Such tools are invaluable in studies of e.g., biodiversity, microbial ecology, environmental genomics and transcriptomics, trophic interactions, and in general in studies aiming to understand the evolutionary backdrop of ecological processes.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Project report (scientific paper manuscript) Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-833
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Arctic Winter Limnology (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-333 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Kirsten S. Christoffersen kchristoffersen@bio.ku.dk UNIS contact person: Steve Coulson E-mail: steve.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 800-1000 (4-5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-333/833 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Detailed knowledge into physical, chemical and biological characteristic of arctic limnic ecosystems during the entire annual cycle and especially during winter. Know how to perform in-depth analyzes of how the environmental factors in the Arctic shape the biodiversity and ecological interactions in limnic ecosystems. Advanced insight into the taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of the main autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms in ponds and lakes at Svalbard. Expertise in designing experiments to measure growth, feeding and reproduction of plankton and benthos in freshwaters. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Thorough knowledge of common arctic freshwater pelagic and benthic organisms as well as how to sample and analyse such communities. Experiences in methodological possibilities and limitations to run independent field sampling events and laboratory experiments. An analytic and critical approach to deal with scientific literature and other sources of information and how use these to structure and formulate hypotheses. A detailed overview of the entire field that allows the student to teach at a graduate level and to perform other outreach activities. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: A deep understanding of the arctic freshwater ecosystems that matches the state-of-the-art as presented by experts.
Experience in how to combine field data with empirical knowledge into a scientific publications using statistical analysis and interpretation of biodiversity data. Skills to carry out an independent research or development project in accordance with scientific norms. Experience in outreach activities of scientific matters including to masters language and terminology of the academic field.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Limnology is the scientific study of lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It is an interdisciplinary science, encompassing the biology, chemistry, geology, and physics of freshwater systems. This course are focusing on the biology, from microorganisms to fish, of arctic lakes and ponds during winter, and how the various abiotic factors are influencing the biological diversity and ecology within these systems, the trohpic interactions, and nutrient and energy flows between the terrestrial and limnic systems. The role of streams and rivers as corridors for fauna and particles between inland and coastal areas are evaluated. The course will also emphasize the potential effects of global climate and environmental change and increased human activity on freshwater ecosystems in arctic regions.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4-5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-333. The course includes participation in general limnology lectures, organizing of paper presentations and discussions for graduate students, literature surveys, exercises, written essays as well as laboratory work based on field samples. The PhD students are suppose to design and conduct experimental setups and to prepare a thoroughly analyses of the results (including statistic and graphs) as well as write a coherent scientific report or arcticle which reflects the state of art of a given subject. There are scheduled hours for preparing the course report (which is part of the assessment). One or two field trips to lakes and ponds at and around Kapp Linne will be used to demonstrate the different types of freshwater ecosystem and to collect samples for the students to work with in the laboratory. Total lecture hours: 20 hours. Total seminar hours: 8 hours. Laboratory work: 5-6 days. Excursion: 4-5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions and laboratory work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written report Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
75% 25%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-834
|
Underwater Robotics and Polar Night Biology (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (January-February), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-334 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list; ca. 450 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Geir Johnsen and Jørgen Berge UNIS contact person: Tove Gabrielsen E-mail: tove.gabrielsen@unis.no
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-334. The course will include a practical deployment of a research mission using the available platforms / sensors. Research question for the deployment will be developed during the course together with the teachers. The report is developed in the form of a scientific paper. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total seminar hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work and excursions: 10 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursions, laboratory work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 2000 (10 days x NOK 200) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
ASSESSMENT:
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Method
5/18 students (AB-334/834 in total) Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE / COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme in biology or technology.
Time
Written report (scientific paper manuscript) Written exam
Percentage of final grade
50% 4 hours
50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: To provide students with the ability to plan and conduct marine research using underwater robotics. In particular, concerning underwater robotics the students will be introduced to design, configuration, and hands-on operation of advanced platforms, both autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), during the polar night. A main ambition of the course is also to provide the students with broad and thorough insight into the biological patters and processes that characterize the Arctic polar night. Use and interpretation of sensor data will also be important part of course. Scientific question will be developed during the course, and platforms / sensors deployed accordingly.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course consist of 3 modules; 1. Underwater robotics and use of different sensors, 2. Mapping and monitoring of arctic bio-geo and chemical objects of interest. 3. Polar night marine biology.
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Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala). Photo: Pernille B. Eidesen/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-836
|
Arctic Mycology (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester (August), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AB-336 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Primary scientific literature, 300-350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: To be announced UNIS contact person: Pernille Bronken Eidesen pernille.bronken.eidesen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 600 (3 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students (AB-336/836 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Fungi are one of the most species-rich groups of organisms in the Arctic with a large significance for arctic ecosystem processes. However, the knowledge about arctic fungi is still scares, making arctic mycology an exciting topic. Through lectures, exercises and field work, the course will cover topics like 1) arctic fungal diversity and evolution, including methods of species identification and diversity assessment through field recognition, classical microscopy and recent molecular technology, 2) arctic fungal ecology, including food-webs and how mycorrhizal, saprotrophic and pathogenic fungi drive nutrient and energy cycling in the Arctic, 3) physiology and, 4) other mutualistic relationships like lichens.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4-5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-336. Learning activities includes lectures, seminar, lab-work, day excursions and excursions involving overnight stays. Within the context of several “hands on” student projects, and involvement in on-going projects at UNIS, students also provide skills in study design, data evaluation and technical report writing.
Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme.
Total lecture hours: 20 hours Total exercise / seminar hours: 8 hours Laboratory work: 5 days Excursions: 7 days
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight into the diversity, function, and ecology of arctic fungi, various fungal associations and their importance in the arctic ecosystem. Know and be able to explain current methods and research questions.
Excursions, laboratory work, presentation of given scientific paper(s) and leading a seminar discussion.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to identify fungi both in the laboratory and in the field. Have skills in study design, data evaluation and technical report writing. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have gained competence in problem solving related to arctic mycology research, both practical in field, in the lab and at a theoretical level. Hold competence in both creative and critical thinking related to development of research projects, methodology, and evaluation of one’s own and published data.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written report Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
70% 30%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC BIOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AB-837
|
Seminars in Arctic Ecology and Evolution (2ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Every semester, yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
2 ECTS with AB-337 GRADE:
Pass/Fail COURSE MATERIALS:
10-15 scientific papers COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdottir ingibjoerg.svala.jonsdottir@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
8/18 students (AB-337/837 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
* Each student can register to the course four times, thus gaining up to 8 ECTS in total.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme in biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight into cutting-edge science in ecology and evolution and be able to evaluate both new theory and methodology. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Demonstrate the ability of critical reading of scientific papers, scrutiny of research planning, and data evaluation and interpretation. Master and perform presentation techniques. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Show the ability of critical thinking, of constructive criticism and the ability to take criticism. Be able to communicate research by oral and written means, and to demonstrate competence in research ethics and autonomy in own research.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course has two main foci, presentation of own work in progress and presentations and discussions of research papers (journal club). The aim of the first is to provide training in presentation of own research projects, either orally or by a poster. Each student presents her/his project (either the whole project or selected parts). The presentation is followed by discussion of both the scientific content as well as technical presentation aspects, under the
supervision of the seminar facilitator (academic staff). In addition to providing insight into cutting-edge science within the field of ecology and evolution, the “journal club” aims at training critical reading of scientific papers with respect to problem addressed, methods used, and interpretation of results. For the PhD students a greater emphasis will be on the scrutiny of research planning, data analysis and results interpretation as presented in the papers than for the students in the parallel course (AB-337). Each student presents one or more scientific papers of general interest (not too specialized), published in international journals that have been approved by the seminar facilitator. The papers are distributed to the whole group one week before the presentation to enable the fellow students to prepare for the discussion.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 11 weeks (or less on appointment with attending students), and is run in combination with AB-837. The students will meet weekly with a responsible teacher/ facilitator for double lecture hours (project presentation, paper presentation). Occasionally, lectures will be given on specific topics by the academic staff or guest lecturers. Total lecture/seminar hours: 23 hours
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Oral or poster presentation of own research, presentation of one or two papers of general interest from international journals and participation in discussion during all seminars. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Performance during project and paper presentations, and participation in seminar discussions
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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AG-335/835 students on fieldwork in Svea take a break to enjoy the northern lights. Photo: Robert Pfau/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY
ARCTIC GEOLOGY The unique geology of Svalbard and its present-day cryosphere provide superb opportunities to study geoscience. The Arctic Geology courses at UNIS are therefore built to take full advantage of having a High Arctic field setting on the doorstep. Hands-on field activities are closely integrated with state-of-the-art classroom education and, during your stay, you will become part of a vibrant international geology and physical geography community Arctic-focused research. The geological evolution of Svalbard is recorded in spectacular geological sequences spanning the Precambrian to the Cenozoic, and overlain by Quaternary glacial and interglacial deposits. Easily accessible outcrops make it possible to demonstrate the interplay of continental drift with tectonic, glacial, periglacial, coastal, fluvial and marine sedimentary processes. There is, for instance, a long history of past climate variations in Svalbard's geological record. There are pre-Cambrian glacial tills that formed when Svalbard was located on the Southern Hemisphere, organic rich Mesozoic rocks which were deposited at equatorial latitudes, and Quaternary glacial and interglacial marine and terrestrial deposits from its recent Arctic situation. Large parts of the archipelago are currently covered by glaciers, and there is continuous permafrost within ice-free areas, and even below some of the glaciers. The close proximity of present-day geological, glacial, periglacial, marine and terrestrial processes provides an exciting field laboratory as the basis for study.
More information about Arctic geology at UNIS can be found on our webpage: www.unis.no/studies/geology
BACHELOR COURSES
|
RECOMMENDED COURSE COMBINATIONS: AUTUMN
SPRING
AG-210 AG-211
AG-204 AG-209
AT-209* AT-210* * = Interdisciplinary courses
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
AG-204
|
The Physical Geography of Svalbard (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (January-May), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum / reading list: Ca. 900 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Doug Benn and Ole Humlum doug.benn@unis.no/ole.humlum@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
From none to ca. NOK 1000
important meteorological, glaciological, geomorphological and hydrological processes on Svalbard. The climatic conditions on Svalbard, the energy exchange at the ground surface, the ground thermal regime and the availability of water will be emphasized as essential factors controlling the distribution of glaciers, permafrost and periglacial landforms. Glacier mass balance, thermal structure and geomorphic activity of Svalbard glaciers will be covered, with emphasis on the interaction between glaciers and permafrost. There will also be a discussion of geomorphological processes such as glacial erosion, glacial deposition, frost weathering, mass movement, permafrost deformation, and frost heave and contraction in connection with freezing and thawing. Also hydrological processes such as snow cover formation and ablation, surface and subsurface drainage of water, river flow and sediment transport will be discussed.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within general natural science, of which 30 ECTS within the field of geology/geosciences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Broad knowledge of key topics, theories, processes, tools and methods within the physical geography of Svalbard. Specific knowledge of the linkages between climate, meteorology, geomorphology, hydrology, and ground and glacier ice thermal regimes in permafrost and glacier regions in Svalbard.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). The course is built upon in-house activities such as lectures, seminars and exercises, as well as field activities, such as excursions and individual field work, to obtain personal experience in the High-Arctic environment. These activities will address different mapping techniques, investigations on snow stratigraphy, and the study of various landforms. In addition, students will receive training in carrying out a small research project by preparing a term project report based on personal field work. Total lecture hours: 45 hours. Total exercise hours: 35 hours. Field work: Minimum 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Training in field methods, mapping techniques and methods of data interpretation including group work. Practical understanding of a variety of glaciological, geomorphological and hydrological processes through field excursions.
Field work, exercises, exercise work presentations.
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to apply academic knowledge and relevant results of research to practical and theoretical problems, and be able to reflect upon one’s own academic practice and adjust it under supervision. Be able to communicate important academic matters both in writing and orally. Be able to exchange opinions with others with a background in the field.
Method
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Glaciers cover about 60 % of the area of Svalbard, while the rest is underlain by continuous permafrost. In this geographical setting, the course introduces the most
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Time
Written term project (including presentation) Written exam
Percentage of final grade
40% 3 hours
60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
AG-209
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The Tectonic and Sedimentary History of Svalbard (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (January-May), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, ca. 900 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Maria Jensen maria.jensen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, maximum NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within general natural science, of which 30 ECTS within the field of geology/geosciences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be familiar with the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of Svalbard from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic, with focus on the tectonic and sedimentary development since the Devonian. Be able to describe the main changes in depositional environments in Svalbard and the adjacent Barents Sea, the main tectonic phases and the implications for exploitation of geological resources (particularly hydrocarbon exploration in the Barents Sea and coal mining on Svalbard). Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to do sedimentological logging, description and analysis of relevant formations both in the field and in cores. Be able to describe large-scale geological structures such as folds and faults in the field and draw geological sketches and profiles. Be able to recognize common fossils from the geological record on Svalbard. Be able to do simple analyses of seismic sections and understand how seismic data corresponds to rock types visited in the field. Be able to carry out small independent research projects on the geology of Svalbard and present findings to others. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to conduct field work under Arctic conditions, and to combine different types of data into a joint result. Demonstrate active participation in group work and be able to communicate field work results through oral presentations and scientific writing. Be able to read
and analyse scientific literature and compare results to collected data and visited sites in the field.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: In the Svalbard Archipelago there is a well-developed and well exposed stratigraphic record that comprises Precambrian, Late Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic strata. The course uses published research from Svalbard combined with visiting key sites in the field to introduce students to this unique geological history “book, which also provides onshore access to formations equivalent to the subsurface in the Barents Sea. The sedimentary rock record on Svalbard comprises siliciclastic rocks, carbonates and evaporates and we study a rift-basin setting, a foreland basin setting and the fold and thrust belt.
LEARNING METHODS: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). Early in the semester focus is on the theoretical background knowledge. Students read scientific papers and background book chapters, analyse examples of geological data and discuss data and readings in class. When the light returns focus will change to field trips, where students use the knowledge they gained earlier to put their own field observations into a context. Field trips comprise excursion parts and parts with independent student observations. Students write a field report and a term project. The latter is a small independent research project carried out on the basis of data from joint field trips, separate field work or analysis of e.g. cores, seismic data, fossils or other available material. Term projects are presented as posters at the end of the semester. Total lecture hours: 45 hours. Total seminar hours / laboratory work: 25 hours. Excursion: 11 days.
COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT: Field excursions, oral presentations during the semester, written field report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Term project; poster and oral presentation Written exam
Percentage of final grade
40% 3 hours
60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
AG-210
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The Quaternary- and Glacial Geology of Svalbard (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
critical thinking, meticulousness in data collection and treatment and the importance of separating between observations and interpretations.
Autumn semester (August-December), yearly
ACADEMIC CONTENT:
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
The course will give insight into the Svalbard Quaternary geological evolution of the landscape, with its ice caps and outlet glaciers, fjords, valleys, mountains and marine terraces, through repeated glacial and interglacial cycles. The students will study Quaternary glacial and palaeoclimatic variability in Svalbard and the Arctic, the formation of glacial and interglacial sedimentary sequences in glacial, glacifluvial and lacustrine environments, postglacial relative sea level and isostatic land uplift. Introduction to Quaternary methods, geochronology and palaeoclimatic proxies will be given.
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list: Ca. 700 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ólafur Ingólfsson olafur.ingolfsson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within general natural science, of which 30 ECTS within the field of geology/geosciences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have broad knowledge of important methods in Quaternary stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology and geomorphology. Be familiar with history of concepts and paradigm shifts, as well as current research in Quaternary and glacial geology in Svalbard, as well as being well acquainted with conceptual thinking in Quaternary geology. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to apply academic knowledge to understand challenges in Quaternary and glacial research. Have skills in applying stratigraphic and sedimentological field methods, geological field mapping and data analysis, and ability to describe and interpret major Quaternary glacial and marine landforms and sediments. Have acquired independent as well as team-work skills, and training in how to present own data in the form of a scientific report and through an oral presentation in a manner that sheds light on outstanding research questions. Hold Arctic survival skills and the ability to carry out field research in the Arctic in a safe way. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to plan and carry out a field project focused on acquiring the data needed for highlighting a research question, and do this in accordance with ethical requirements and the scientific method. Be able to apply academic knowledge and reflect on outstanding scientific research questions in relationship to individual data collection and analyses. Have developed academic curiosity so as to promote scientific values such as openness,
Field work is an important part of the course, during which students will study some key locations in Spitsbergen and receive training in sedimentological, stratigraphical and geomorphological field techniques. Field work will be conducted in groups, whereas students will take responsibility for specific research projects. Data collected in the field will form the basis of the project to be completed during the term. Students will report on their findings both orally and through a written report.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. The course consists of problem-based learning modules. Field work will be conducted in groups. Through the field work students also undergo extensive training in Arctic survival skills including field safety techniques. The literature-/ lab-work and term projects will be related to field work. Project work is supervised one to one. Total lecture hours: 45 hours. Total seminar and laboratory hours: 25 hours. Excursion: 4 days cruise and 4 days tent camp.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, cruise. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Term project;
40% 20%
Written report Oral presentation of report Multiple choice exam
Percentage of final grade
1 hours
40%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
|
AG-211
Arctic Marine Geology (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (August/September - December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles: Ca. 750 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Riko Noormets riko.noormets@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/18 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within general natural sciences, of which 30 ECTS within the field of geology/geosciences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have knowledge of large scale structure and evolution of ocean basins, focussing on the Arctic Ocean. Be familiar with the Arctic Ocean’s main physiographic features, current systems, sediment sources and transport mechanisms. Understand the role of the Arctic Ocean in the global climate system and have knowledge of main modern marine geological survey methods and instrumentation. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have practical skills of data acquisition during field work. Have learned techniques of geological sampling of seabed, sediment core logging and have practiced selected geophysical, geotechnical, sedimentological and micropalaeontological methods. Be able to identify the main types of submarine glacial landforms and understand their palaeoglacial implications. Have developed seabed mapping skills and be able to interpret and analyse the sedimentological and geophysical data in terms of palaeo-environmental changes. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have basic experience in planning and executing marine geological/geophysical expeditions in the Arctic. Have independent as well as team-work skills. Be able to conduct individual research projects and to present the results, both in written and oral.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course will start with an introduction to geology and oceanography of the world's oceans, outlining the distribution of main sediment types, their respective sources and
depositional environments. In the context of the global plate tectonics, the formation of the Arctic Ocean and the resulting change in the oceans’ circulation pattern will be discussed. Various proxies used in deciphering the associated palaeoceanographic, sedimentological and climatic variations are examined. The course also covers the modern sediments, sediment sources and sedimentation patterns in the Arctic Ocean as well as the role of sea ice in the Arctic climate history. The history of Arctic exploration and current status of mapping of the Arctic Ocean, and its present geography and physiography will be reviewed. The role of glaciations in the formations of the geological structure, sediment stratigraphy and morphology of Svalbard as well as other high latitude continental margins will form an essential part of the course. Typical glacial marine sedimentary environments, ranging from small basins in front of outlet glaciers, through fjords to continental shelves and -slopes as well as deep-water abyssal plains will be discussed. Case studies from the Svalbard margin as well as other presently and formerly glaciated margins will be presented to illustrate characteristic sediment types and stratigraphic sequences associated with each sedimentary environment. Modern marine geological field and laboratory methods and instrumentation used for collecting and analysing geophysical and sedimentological data will demonstrate some of the tools used in reconstructing the past oceanographic, sedimentary and environmental conditions.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. Through lectures the students will obtain a theoretical basis and background for their work, independently and in groups, further on during the course. The course includes 7 days of marine geological/geophysical cruise on a research vessel in the waters around Svalbard. During the cruise, students will collect geophysical, oceanographic and sedimentological data that they will discuss onboard the vessel and summarize in a cruise report. The collected data will be further analysed in the lab and discussed on a seminar after the cruise. The knowledge and skills acquired during the lectures, seminars and laboratory exercises will be put to use in writing and presenting an individual term project. Total lecture and seminar hours: 42 hours. Total labs/exercises/presentations: 35 hours. Scientific cruise: 7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars, laboratory exercises, cruise. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Term project: Written report and oral presentation Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
49
50
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
AG-218/219 |
International Bachelor Permafrost Summer Field School (10 or 5 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (June-July) 2014 and 2015*) LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
5 ECTS between AG-218 and AG-219 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
400 pages permafrost textbooks and papers. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Hanne H. Christiansen hanne.christiansen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
10/20 students
*) Conditional upon approval from the UNIS Board February 2014.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant bachelor programme. Students choosing to study for the 10 ECTS course (AG-218) will be given preference.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Permafrost exists in 25 % of the terrestrial parts of planet Earth. It is highly sensitive to climatic changes, as most permafrost is very close to 0˚C. The course focus on the presenting the direct climate influence on permafrost, but also the possibility for the permafrost to contain greenhouse gases, which can affect climate. Permafrost is continuous in Svalbard in 40 % of the landscape which is not glacier-covered, but which forms the periglacial environment. In this geographical setting, the course uses the Svalbard landscape and infrastructure to introduce the most important permafrost controlled landforms, the extent of permafrost, the ground thermal regime, the influence of water on permafrost, how permafrost affect the infrastructure, remote sensing of permafrost and permafrost basic drilling and laboratory analyses. The course offers insight into the following scientific permafrost topics: • • • • • •
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have knowledge of overall permafrost history, distribution and thermal state in the Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine regions. Have basic knowledge about permafrost scientific instrumentation. Obtain understanding on why permafrost is important in the carbon cycle, in the hydrological cycle, for infrastructure and in geomorphology. Have basic knowledge about cryostratigraphy and how to study that. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have experience in basic permafrost drilling. Understand and be able to use the technology of permafrost installations and investigations. Be able to conduct basic laboratory analysis of permafrost cores. Know how to perform basic permafrost research based on field work and theoretical studies. Be able to demonstrate a basic geomorphological knowledge and understanding of permafrost landscape development. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Know how to plan and conduct permafrost field observations in an effective and successful way. Be able to present an overview of the basic permafrost research topics. Be able to design basic research projects on permafrost.
•
Permafrost history and its distribution globally. Permafrost temperatures in various parts of the World – climatic and other controls. Methods of permafrost observations, focusing on drilling, coring and instrumentation. Permafrost databases and their use in permafrost analyses. How does permafrost affect local community infrastructure and cultural life? Interaction between carbon and water in permafrost landscapes. How sensitive are permafrost landforms towards climate change?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 3 weeks including compulsory safety training. To ensure that the students achieve the described learning outcome, the course is organized as a combination of in-house activities such as lectures and exercises, and field activities, such as excursions and field work. In addition, students will receive training in carrying out basic permafrost field work such as borehole temperature installations, permafrost coring and associated laboratory analyses, active layer carbon studies. Also a basic introduction to permafrost databases will be given to the students, enabling them to start using these databases. Total lecture hours: 25 hours. Exercises: ca. 15 hours. Field work/excursions: 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Lectures, exercises, field work and data analyses. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
ASSESSMENT:
Assessment of 10 ECTS course (AG-218):
Students can apply for this course either as a 5 ECTS point course, finishing with an oral graded presentation at the summer school. Or one can in addition do an individual project based on the obtained knowledge, to be submitted by the end of the autumn semester. Students choosing this last option will obtain 10 ECTS.
Method
Assessment of 5 ECTS course (AG-219): Method Oral presentation of fieldwork
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AG-332/832 students crossing a meltwater river near Scottbreen in Bellsund. Photo: Ólafur Ingólfsson/UNIS.
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
Time
Percentage of final grade
Oral presentation of field work
33%
Written report (submitted by the end of the autumn semester)
67%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
51
52
53
AG-210 students taking a break on Nordenskiรถldbreen in Billefjorden. Photo: Anne Hormes/UNIS
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54
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-322
|
Fold and Thrust Belts and Foreland Basin Systems (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (March-April), every year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-822 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles and compendium (ca. 400 pages), hand-outs COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
To be announced COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1200-1400 (6-7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-322/822 in total)
emphasizing source to sink concepts. Thereafter, a session focuses on seismic expressions of fold-thrust structures and foreland basin geometries. The course is summarized by discussions on petroleum play concepts such as stratigraphic traps and fractured reservoirs. All sessions demonstrate key subjects through practical exercises, including team work on a sandbox analogue experiment. The outstanding fold-thrust belt of Spitsbergen will be analyzed and visited during excursions. Other discussed fold and thrust belts will be the classical Zagros Belt (Iran/ Iraq/Pakistan) and Cordilleran Belt (USA).
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-822. Total lecture and seminar hours: 40 hours. Total seminar hours: 10 hours. Field excursions: 6-7 days.
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field trips with exercises, modelling exercise, literature report and presentation(s). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master program. General knowledge in structural geology and sedimentology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Concepts around fold-thrust belts and foreland basins, cross-section construction and balancing, analysis of sandbox experiments, seismic processing techniques and practical seismic analysis, reservoir assessments, and observation skills around visited fold-thrust belt structures.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Fold and thrust belts and foreland basins are important petroleum provinces, which can be assessed through insight into their internal geometry and development. The course starts with a review of the most commonly observed structures in fold and thrust belts, focusing on the relationship between thrusting and folding. The principles behind construction of balanced cross-sections are discussed. The next session addresses the link between the foldthrust belt and deposition in the foreland basin system,
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-323
|
Sequence Stratigraphy – a Tool for Basin Analysis (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August-September), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-823 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; Ca. 300 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: William Helland-Hansen william.helland-Hansen@geo.uib.no UNIS contact person: Snorre Olaussen snorre.olaussen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1600 (8 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-323/823 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme in geoscience.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a highly developed understanding of sequence stratigraphic concepts and methods both for carbonate and siliciclastic rocks. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to describe and analyse a sedimentary succession with focus on interpretation of depositional environments. Be fully capable of identifying genetically related sedimentary units and their intervening discontinuity surfaces. Know how to use evidence for changes in base level and sediment supply within a succession as a tool for stratal correlation and for predicting facies distributions in time and space. Be fully capable of evaluating which controls are responsible for stacking and geometry of sedimentary successions. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to use the above knowledge and skills in practical work tasks related to reservoir characterization and delineation and basin fill evaluation.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Sequence stratigraphy is one of the main approaches and constitutes a fundamental element in the workflow of mapping subsurface basin fills and reservoirs. The sedimentary successions exposed in Svalbard are a unique laboratory for studying stratigraphic building blocks ranging from facies to sequences. The Svalbard succession will be examined in the field and an in-depth review of recent scientific literature including discussions on currently applied concepts and methods will be given in the classroom.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-823. Lectures, practical classes and field exercises will focus on the recognition of trends in facies stacking patterns and key stratal surfaces which may be used in sequence delineation and correlation. Field logging will lead to the creation of architectural panels at different scales across sections of the Late Palaeozoic, Cretaceous and Palaeogene of central Spitsbergen with subsequent interpretation of these data in terms of palaeoenvironment and sequence development. Practical work will include the recognition of sequence architectures through the analysis of well-data and seismic reflection profiles. One lecture-day will be allocated for student presentations of central articles. Together this wide range of learning activities will expose the students to many aspects of the subject matter and will equip them with a thorough understanding of sequence stratigraphy. Total lecture hours: 16 hours. Total seminar hours: 14 hours. Field work: 8 days. Project work and preparation for exam: 9 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, exercises, one article presentation (in a seminar). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
55
56
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-325
|
Glaciology (10 ECTS) ACADEMIC CONTENT:
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (February-March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-825 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Benn and Evans (2010): “Glaciers and Glaciation, Part 1” (256 pages). Selected journal articles (ca. 300 pages). COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Nick Hulton nick.hulton@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX:
10/20 students (AG-325/825 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme. Background in glaciology, physical geography and/or geology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a broad-based understanding of glaciological processes, illustrated with examples from Svalbard and other glaciated regions. Have insight in different approaches to investigating glaciological systems via field observations, models and remote sensing. Have a fundamental understanding of the response of glaciers to climate change, and begin to appreciate how to predict future directions in glacier mass balance and dynamics. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Master (to a certain extent) key skills needed in modern glaciology, including field data collection and analysis, numerical modelling, image processing and interpretation. Have the ability to write and present a scientific report. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Hold fundamental competence in critical thinking and evaluation of the published literature. Have a good awareness of how glaciological knowledge is created, drawing from other natural science disciplines and based on strong theoretical, methodological and observation principles.
The course provides a systematic survey of modern research into glacial processes, and the response of glaciers and ice sheets to climate change. Lectures will cover recent changes to arctic glaciers, the principles of mass balance measurement and modelling, glacier hydrology, glacier motion and dynamics, surges, calving and remote sensing. Students will also have the opportunity to present summaries of their own research projects. Discussions will concentrate on how key questions for glaciological research are isolated, and how these are typically tackled.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4,5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-825. The course will have a theoretical part with lectures and seminars, and a practical part with computer-based exercises, excursions and field work. The practical part will allow students to see and study glacial phenomena discussed in the lectures, and will introduce them to glaciological field methods. There will be field excursions to englacial caves (meltwater conduits), calving glaciers and surging glaciers, and the students will be introduced to on-going research projects. The field work and excursions may be subject to changes, depending upon the weather conditions. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Exercise hours: 20 hours. Field work or field excursions: 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Exercises, field work and field excursions. Researching for a long essay exam question on a prescribed topic. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-326
|
Quaternary Glacial and Climate History of the Arctic (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (September-October), every second year
Be able to analyse and critically discuss and assess glacial and palaeoclimatic reconstructions from literature and develop alternative ideas, and be well acquainted with current conceptual thinking in Quaternary geology. Be able to communicate important research questions and themes, both orally and in writing.
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-826 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles, book chapters: ca. 800 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ólafur Ingólfsson olafur.ingolfsson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 800 (4 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/25 students (AG-326/826 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Students should have general background in Quaternary geology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Broad overview of large-scale Late Quaternary glacial and climatic changes in the Arctic, as well as understanding of causal links in the build-up and decay of high-latitude large ice sheets. Specific knowledge of the Last Glacial Maximum ice sheets and their subsequent deglaciation. Good understanding of circum-Arctic Holocene glacial and environmental changes. Thorough understanding of natural palaeoclimatic variations and glacial history in the Arctic, how ice sheet configurations have been reconstructed in various Arctic key regions, as well as an awareness of major challenges in Arctic palaeoglaciacial and palaeoclimatic research. In-depth understanding of history of concepts and paradigm shifts regarding the glacial and climate history of the Arctic. Advanced knowledge of certain “hot” themes (theme will vary between individual years), like “Little Ice Age in the Arctic“, “Fingerprints of the Anthropocene in the Arctic”, “Cronological challenges in the Arctic”, “modelling Arctic ice sheets”, etc. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in penetrating, critically assessing and analysing large datasets that are the basis of important syntheses on development of the Arctic glacial and climate systems through time. Skills in communicating extensive works and mastering the terminology of Quaternary and palaeoclimate research. Skills in presenting complex overviews and taking lead in group discussions on outstanding questions concerning regional Quaternary palaeoenvironmental developments. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will:
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course will give insight into the development of the Arctic through the Quaternary with emphasis on the interaction and feedbacks between climate developments, glaciers and the oceans through glacials and interglacials. This will be done through literature studies, state-of-theart lectures, student seminars and discussions of the glacial histories of Svalbard-Barents Sea, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Canada, Alaska, Northern Russia and Siberia. The course focuses on terrestrial records although marine and ice core records will also be discussed in order to highlight environmental changes around the Arctic basin and to discuss causes for climatic changes and feedback processes. The preconditions of correlating different Quaternary records are robust geochronologies, and recent developments in dating techniques like Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), cosmogenic nuclide exposure and radiocarbon dating will be highlighted in case studies. Recent advances in ice-sheet modelling and studies of palaeo-ice dynamics and landscape development in the Arctic will also be discussed. The concept of distinctive ice dynamics and glacier regimes reflected in landscapes based on landform associations interrelated to cold-based non-erosive glacier ice and fast flowing ice streams will be studied.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over four weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-826. The course will have a theoretical part with lectures, literature studies and discussion seminars, and a four-day excursion. The excursion will give the students an opportunity to experience glacial sediments, stratigraphies and morphologies. The excursion may be subject to changes, depending upon weather conditions. Total lecture hours: 40 hours. Total seminar hours: 25 hours. Excursion: 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Active participation in seminar presentations, lectures and excursion. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written report Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
30% 70%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course..
57
58
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-330
|
Permafrost and Periglacial Environments (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (April-May), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-830 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list: Ca. 650 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ole Humlum ole.humlum@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, from none to ca. NOK 1000
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course has a specific focus on the interaction between permafrost, periglacial processes and climate, and how this interaction controls the different periglacial landforms. The theoretical part will introduce permafrost basics, periglacial geomorphology, and the meteorological control on the permafrost distribution and the activity of periglacial processes and landforms. The course will focus on arctic and alpine landscapes. Seminars will deal with papers based on field studies in Svalbard or other cold-climatic regions, to improve the understanding of geomorphological processes, and to demonstrate the use of periglacial landforms to reconstruct past environments and climatic conditions. Discussions will concentrate on identifying the critical questions for future permafrost and periglacial research, and how procedures might be devised to address these questions.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-330/830 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme. Background in physical geography and/or Quaternary geology is recommended.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Comprehensive understanding of permafrost and periglacial landforms and processes, using Svalbard as the field example. Insight into modern research methods and theoretical approaches to understanding processes and impacts of climate on permafrost and periglacial landforms. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in various field and mapping techniques, and methods of data interpretation. Training in combining theory with field methods and observations. The ability to analyse existing theories and based on this plan research using relevant methods. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Acquired competence in (1) critical thinking and evaluation of scientific literature on permafrost and periglacial processes; (2) discovering knowledge by own means, and retaining this knowledge; (3) perceiving relations between old and new knowledge, and applying this effectively for solving new scientific problems. Improved communication and critical evaluation skills including logic in scientific analyses.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-830. The course will have a theoretical part with lectures and seminars, and a practical part with excursions and field work. The practical part will emphasise field methods relevant to permafrost-related research such as geomorphological mapping techniques, drilling in permafrost and installation and operation of sensors and data loggers for measuring temperature and other parameters of the active layer and top permafrost. There will be field excursions to permafrost monitoring sites, rock glaciers, talus sheets, ice-wedges, pingos and rock free faces to visit on-going research projects and for collection of field data. The field work and excursions may be subject to changes, depending upon the weather conditions. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Exercises: 20 hours. Field work or field excursions: 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, field excursions, field and laboratory exercises, oral presentation of group field report, scientific paper presentations. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-332
|
Arctic Late Quaternary Glacial Stratigraphy - Field School (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (July-August), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-832 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles; ca. 700 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ólafur Ingólfsson olafur.ingolfsson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1600 (8 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-332/832 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
independent research project in accordance with state-of-the art field methods, as well as recording observations in a way that complies to high academic standards. Skills in analysing and interpreting field data and discussing findings in context with current theories and ideas on Quaternary glacial history. Be able to report findings and to formulate scholarly arguments when delivering lectures/seminars, reporting scientific finds and presenting data. Skills in Arctic survival and safety techniques. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Competence in mastering the most important elements of geological research projects: penetrating literature for status on studied area/objects, carrying out field research, analysing data and communicating results to fellow students/scientists. The ability to present stratigraphical and morphological observations and interpretations in accordance with state-of-the-art protocols for data documentation and handling. The ability to communicate and discuss current academic concepts and theories and contribute new ideas regarding Quaternary environmental developments in Svalbard and the Arctic.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Students should have a general understanding of glacial sedimentology and stratigraphy. The course is intended for master students in glacial and Quaternary geology, physical geography and marine geology. It links to AG-326 and AG-826 (Quaternary Glacial and Climate History of the Arctic), and is also recommended for students taking courses in Quaternary marine and glacial geology (AG-339, AG-340 and AG-345).
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Good knowledge and understanding of Late Quaternary stratigraphical successions on Svalbard and the Arctic, where repeated sequences of glacial tills, glaciomarine and litoral sediments fingerprint major glaciations. Be able to recognize major lithofacies and lithofacies associations encountered in glacial-deglacial sequences. Knowledge of glacial depositional environments and insight into the debris cascade through glaciations in the Arctic, and of the long-term climatic fluctuations between glacial and interglacial periods in the Arctic. Broad knowledge of Svalbard and Arctic morphology and landscape developments on different scales through repeated glacial cycles, as well as an understanding of chronological and correlation challenges on Svalbard and in the Arctic. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Proficiency in lithostratigraphical and sedimentological field methods and mapping techniques, as well as methods of data interpretation. Skills in mapping/logging complex stratigraphical sequences and the ability to carry out an
The course takes advantage of relatively easy access from UNIS to most key-stratigraphic sites on western Svalbard. After one-day training in Arctic field safety, the course starts with introductory lectures on Svalbard geology and history of concepts concerning the Late Quaternary Svalbard-Barents Sea ice sheet. Logging techniques, important Arctic sediment types and lithofacies, as well as chronological challenges in the Arctic, are dealt with in lectures, with reference to recent case studies.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 3 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-832. Students are required to spend approximately one week of preparations before coming to UNIS, to read key-literature and prepare a seminar presentation. The initial lectures are followed by seminars, where each student participant gives an oral presentation on a selected subject concerning the glacial and climate history of Svalbard, based on in-depth study of the literature. Field school will be conducted during eight days, where several key stratigraphic sites on Spitsbergen will be studied to give the student participants a better understanding of the Quaternary history of Svalbard and the Barents Sea region. The field work is supervised, and hands-on training and discussions conducted in the field. The focus of the field scool is on interpretation of sedimentary successions and geomorphology in order to reconstruct glacial history, sea level changes and palaeoclimatic variations. As well as re-examining key stratigraphical sites, the students will be given opportunity to participate in collection of novel stratigraphic data, if possible.
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The students will present their field results in the form of a scientific report delivered orally and via poster presentation. The data and observations collected during the field work will be used to critically assess the validity of published interpretations of the Svalbard Late Quaternary stratigraphy. The group report will be completed during one-week of supervised time at UNIS, after the field school. The participants are offered individual tutoring, where the supervising professor will discuss individual student’s competence development through the course and give carrier advice. Pre-course preparations: 1 week Total lecture hours: 8 hours. Total seminar hours: 16 hours. Excursion / field school: 8 days. Post-excursion work with data and report: 1 week.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Active participation in field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Pre-excursion presentations Field report in form of oral and poster presentation
Percentage of final grade
25% 75%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course..
AG-209 students on excursion in Reindalen. Photo: Snorre Olaussen/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-334
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Arctic Basins and Petroleum Provinces (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August-September), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-834 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles, and compendium; ca. 450 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Snorre Olaussen snorre.olaussen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work; NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/25 students (AG-334/834 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme in geology or solid earth geophysics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Comprehensive understanding of Arctic Basins and their development, using subsurface data from Barents Sea and exposed onshore strata from Svalbard. Insight into the exploration process and large scale regional overview of the Upper Palaeozoic to Neogene. Acquired a basic understanding of how to use modern research methods for development play concepts and resource estimation. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in using geological observation and available data for interpretation of the basins. Training in the ability to combine theory with logging of outcrop and core data to evaluate resource potential. Ability to analyse and evaluate data to fit theories. Hands on experience of the workflow on modern works stations in the industry, combining data from wire line logs, core data and onshore/offshore seismic. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Ability to search for needed knowledge to critical evaluate the scientific reliability of available collected data and show the importance of specific data sets. A capability of analysing old and new knowledge and applying the acquired knowledge for solving scientific problems.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The exposed strata and basins on Svalbard will enable the students to aquire advanced knowledge on petroleum provinces in the Arctic. Excellent outcrops of Upper Palaeozoic and
Mesozoic basin fill will be used to illustrate the main principles of source, reservoir and traps within a hydrocarbon play. After introduction to petroleum geology, students will be introduced to the geological evolution and regional geology of the main Mesozoic and Cenozoic petroleum provinces within the Arctic. An updated introduction to Arctic plate tectonics and evolution will also be provided. Based on regional seismic reflection lines, well data and onshore field analogs the students will be able to construct the major T/R cycles (first- and second-order sequences) and their related depositional sequences. Case-studies from the major Arctic oil and gas producing fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf will be used in applied methodology exercises for calculation of hydrocarbon reserves. This will be combined with an introduction to the exploration history of the various basins, providing: the exploration process of oil and gas from a regional perspective; use of geophysical and geological data; knowledge, visions and ideas of source, reservoir and trap leading through an initial definition of a play, then to leads and finally to risked prospects in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea. Mesozoic and Cenozoic outcropping strata on Spitsbergen will be used to demonstrate successful hydrocarbon play-models to producing oil- and gas-fields. The link between onshore and offshore geology will be focused. This link will be used to demonstrate the exploration process from the use of data and G&G knowledge to generation of play concepts, leads and prospects.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4,5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-834. The course will have a theoretical part with lectures and seminars, and a practical part with excursions and field work. The practical part will emphasize geological field work as logging of outcrop and core data. There will be field excursions to the classical Festningen profile; Isfjorden which cover Upper Carboniferous to base Paleocene. The logging section will include both reservoir and source. The field work and excursions may be subject to changes, depending upon the weather conditions. Total lecture hours: 24 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Field work: 7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work and exercises. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-335
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Arctic Seismic Exploration (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (February-March), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-835 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendiums: Ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Snorre Olaussen snorre.olaussen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work (7 days x NOK 200 = NOK 1400)
hydrates are discussed. The course follows by outlining the main procedures in seismic processing and interpretation. Finally, specific attention is paid on the use of the seismic method in monitoring of CO2 sequestration, subsurface fluid flow and pressure alterations.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training. Total lecture hours: ca. 35 hours. Total seminar hours: 10 hours. Field work/field exercises: ca. 1 week.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, computer exercises. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Basic knowledge of the seismic method.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Have insight into the specific challenges related to seismic exploration in arctic environments and how this influences on the seismic analyses.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course gives in-depth knowledge in seismic exploration on snow, ice or frozen ground. Particular attention is on seismic acquisition, processing and on the seismic properties of frozen or partly melted materials, including gas hydrates, characteristic for Polar environments. The structure of the upper crust in polar areas is still relatively poorly known. By seismic exploration the sound properties of the upper few kilometres of the earth is revealed. The course starts by introducing the basic principles behind pressure (P) and shear (S) waves, and how they are utilized in seismic exploration on snow, ice and in open sea in the vicinity of sea ice. Then is outlined the physical properties and elastic wave propagation in porous (partly and fully frozen) sediments and ice, with emphasis on the effect of the soil temperature. Furthermore, the foundation and seismic properties of gas
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
30% 70%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-338
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Sedimentology Field Course – from Depositional Systems to Sedimentary Architecture (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (June-July), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-838 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles; Ca. 600 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Maria Jensen maria.jensen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-338/838 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme. Students should have general knowledge about sedimentology and stratigraphy, like AG-209 or similar. The course provides a background for courses in sequence stratigraphy (AG-323/AG-823), rift basin reservoirs – from outcrop to model (AG-336/AG-836) and Geological constraints of CO2 sequestration (AG-341/ AG-841). The course is also recommended for students taking courses in Quaternary geology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have an advanced understanding of the origin, use and limitations of facies models used in sedimentological analyses. Have knowledge on typical sedimentary facies in modern cold-climate sediments (colluvial, fluvial, tidal and pro-glacial) and in ancient sedimentary rocks exposed on Svalbard (primarily fluvial, coastal/tidal and shallow shelf deposits). Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to identify and describe sedimentary characteristics for modern sedimentary environments and use the understanding of sedimentary processes, deposits and geometries to establish own facies models for sedimentary environments typical for the Arctic. Be able to analyse sedimentary facies and architecture in outcrops of any age and use theoretical knowledge to discuss alternative models. Be able to compare core and outcrop data. Be able to discuss alternative forcing mechanisms (including relative sea level) as drivers for change in sedimentary architecture and stacking patterns. Be able to critically evaluate published results and interpretations. Be able to discuss and question conceptual models for sedimentary environments
or valley fills by combining own observations with ideas from the literature. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to critically assess and discuss sedimentological data, develop models in a team and apply experience from field work in the Arctic.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course focus is on siliciclastic rocks/sediments. The course takes advantage of the excellent outcrops of sedimentary rocks in central Spitsbergen combined with access to study characteristic modern processes and deposits in a high Arctic environment. Modern deposits from near-shore, fluvial and slope processes are investigated and used to discuss the influence of climatic zones on facies models. Some of the discussions and observations are also relevant when investigating the ancient sedimentary record, and used to discuss preservation potential, lateral variations and implications of e.g. terrain on facies models. The course consists of alternating lectures, seminars and field work. Lectures will provide background information for the current state of debate and students will be expected to critically assess published facies models and interpretations in seminars. The field work will focus on gaining practical experience with description and interpretation of sedimentological data. The data collected in the field will be used to discuss published models and interpretations. Field excursions will be carried out partly as daytrips in the area near Longyearbyen and partly as overnight excursions to other areas in order to have access to the full range of sedimentary environments.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-838. Total lecture hours: 15 hours. Total seminar hours: 25 hours. Excursions: 10 days. The course relies on active student participation and field work, seminar presentations and discussions are prioritized over lectures. Lectures are used to explain basic principles and introduce topics and terminology, but students will work actively inthe field, inthe laboratory andindiscussionseminars with re- investigations of published work or collecting and interpreting new data.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: : Field exercises, oral presentations of field results. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-340
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Arctic Glaciers and Melt Season Dynamics (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F)
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Glacier mass balance and climate in Svalbard; Glacier hydrology; Runoff, sediment and solute transfer by glacial melt water; Arctic glacier/permafrost thermal regimes; Ice dynamics, including calving processes and surging; Biogeochemical processes and glacier ecology.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, specific articles and reports from Svalbard; Ca. 500 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Andy Hodson a.j.hodson@Sheffield.ac.uk COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000 (5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Students should have general knowledge about glaciology and the physical geography of the Arctic, like AG-204 or similar.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Knowledge of the current mass balance status of Arctic glaciers and ice caps in Svalbard. Knowledge of the thermal conditions that distinguish Arctic glaciers from their lower latitude counterparts and greatly influence process dynamics. Knowledge of the dynamics of glaciological, hydrological and biogeochemical processes that operate during the Arctic summer. Knowledge of the the interactions between physical, chemical and biological processes within glaciers. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: General field work skills, including observational and recording skills in an Arctic outdoor environment. Specific field work techniques, including hydrological and glacier mass balance monitoring, melt modelling, ground penetrating radar, dye tracing and water/sediment sampling. Skills in conducting laboratory analyses of glacial meltwaters. Master expeditionarystyle field work logistics for research in the Arctic. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Organisational skills for effective and successful recording of field observations. Competence in design and implementation of research tasks as part of a team. Experience in implementation of outdoor research in a sometimes extreme environment.
The effective learning of Arctic Glaciers and Melt Season Dynamics, is achieved through: • Day trips on Foxfonna, a local mountain ice cap: mass balance, surface energy balance, dye tracing, ground penetrating radar and proglacial water quality/quantity monitoring. • A field camp: including glacier hydrology and geomorphology; ground penetrating radar; glacier boundary layer processes; glacier ecology and biogeochemistry. Please note: this element involves a remote field camp and so the duration and activities can vary due to shifting weather conditions. • Seminars and laboratory classes, run to support the field work. Students are expected to collect and archive a quality-controlled, communal data resource to support all field reports. Guidance is therefore given for radar data processing, geomorphological mapping, laboratory techniques and melt modelling, among others. • A boat excursion: tidewater glacier dynamics. • A comprehensive written field report based on the knowledge and data retrieved through the course, to be electronically submitted two weeks after the examination and usually after leaving Svalbard Total lecture hours: 18 hours. Laboratory work: 13 hours. Seminars: 6 hours. Field work: 5-6 day trips, one 5 day field camp. Boat excursion: 1 day. Data analysis and presentations: 14 hours.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work and data analysis sessions. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written field report (2000 words) Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-342
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The Marine Cryosphere and its Cenozoic History (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (April), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-842 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list; Ca. 450 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Martin Jakobsson martin.jakobsson@geo.su.se UNIS contact person: Riko Noormets riko.noormets@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 400-1000 (2-5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG342/842 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme in Earth sciences. Fundamentals of geology especially within sedimentology, corresponding to AG 209, AG-210, AG-211, or equivalent.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Knowledge about the Cenozoic history of the marine cryosphere and physical characteristics of its components, and their interaction with the marine environment and climate. A general understanding of the main survey methods and tools applied to study the marine cryosphere. Knowledge of the main palaeo proxies used to study the marine cryosphere’s Cenozoic history. Understanding of capabilities and limitations of numerical ice sheet models. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Practical skills on analysis of geological records, such as mapped marine glaciogenic landforms and sediment cores, that can be used to reconstruct the palaeo-history of the marine cryosphere. Practical skills from assisting in data acquisition during field work. Analytical skills to determine limitations and possibilities in modelling studies of marine ice sheets including ice shelves and ice streams. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Basic experience in Arctic field work planning and execution. Independent as well as team-work skills. Independent research writing skills on given topic. Presentation skills, written and oral.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The term marine cryosphere is used to collectively describe frozen water within the marine portion of the Earth’s surface. This incorporates marine based ice sheets including ice shelves and ice streams, icebergs, sea ice, and subsea permafrost. The marine cryosphere has played a key role during several time periods of the Earth’s geological history and is a critical component in studies of climate change. In this course, the students will learn about the evolution of the marine cryosphere during the Cenozoic when the Earth experienced a long term palaeoclimatic change from the warm greenhouse to the colder icehouse world. Through the lectures, field work, lab exercises and individual project work, the students will be introduced to the marine cryosphere and its components. Specific emphasis is placed on describing and discussing available methods to study the geological history of the marine cryosphere. The course embraces the marine environment from shallow shelves to the deep ocean. Arctic and Antarctic analogies and differences with respect to the Cenozoic history of the marine cryosphere will be discussed. The main topics of the course are: 1. General physical characteristics of the marine cryosphere: marine based ice sheets, icebergs, sea ice and subsea permafrost 2. Dynamics of marine based ice sheets and sea ice 3. Marine glaciogenic landforms: mapping and interpretation 4. Sea ice and glacial sediment proxies: from biomarkers to ice rafted debris 5. Past and present drift patterns of sea ice and icebergs: implications for interpretation of palaeo-proxies 6. The Cenozoic history of the marine cryosphere 7. Ice sheet modelling: limitations and possibilities to simulate the marine components 8. The cryosphere’s interaction with the marine environment and climate Geological/geophysical data, providing information on the spatial extent and dynamics of the Svalbard-Barents ice sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum, are compared with ice sheet modelling results in the laboratory computer exercises. This will give the students a direct insight into the present limitations and possibilities to simulate the key components of marine based ice sheets; ice streams and ice shelves.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-842. Prior to the course, as a pre-course assignment, the students are asked to prepare a short talk about their master projects specifying its relevance to the content of the course and present it in a seminar at the beginning of the course. Through the lectures, field work, lab exercises and individual project work, the students will be introduced to the marine cryosphere and its components. Specific emphasis is placed on describing and discussing available methods to study the geological history of the marine cryosphere.
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The course includes 2-5 days field work based on the sea ice in front of one of Svalbard’s tidewater glaciers. The field work will give students first-hand experience of geophysical, geological and oceanographic data collection and sampling procedures. This field work is coordinated with course AG-839 since multibeam mapping, sedimentological and oceanographic data are acquired from the same area. In a seminar towards the end of the course the students will present the results of their course projects in a 10-15 min. oral presentation to the class for discussion. Total lecture hours, seminars and practical exercises: Ca. 50 hours. Field work: 2-5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work/cruise, two seminars, two oral presentations (one at each seminar). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
Photo: Riko Noormets/UNIS
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AG-346
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Snow and Avalanche Dynamics (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester (March-April), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Textbooks and journal articles, totaling app.7-800 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Jordy Hendrikx and Hanne H. Christiansen jordy.hendrikx@montana.edu/ hanne.christiansen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field excursion NOK 400 (2 days x NOK 200) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
*) Conditional upon approval from the UNIS Board February 2014
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme. Background in physical geography/geosciences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have detailed knowledge on snow science in an intensive, strongly field based course, and be able to use the specific knowledge from Svalbards high arctic landscape for analysing other cold climatic areas. Have knowledge of the high arctic maritime snowpack of Svalbard, and its climatically large inter-annual variability and dependency. Be able to apply the techniques, methods and skills learned in this course to snow cover anywhere in the world. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to describe modern research methods, including field data collection methods and theoretical approaches to understanding snow science processes and applications, and be able to analyse existing theories and plan research using appropriate methods. Be able to analyse and deal critically with various scientific papers and data on snow science, and be able to use this knowledge to structure and formulate new research questions independently, working both with practical and theoretical problems. Demonstrate good avalanche terrain travel behavior, which is a critical safety element for successful snow and avalanche research. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have scientific competency within snow science to communicate, analyse and carry out detailed projects. Know how to move safely in avalanche terrain, and to safely undertake research in this environment. Place emphasis on application of snow avalanches dynamics including consideration of avalanche hazard mapping, run-out modelling, hazard
mitigation and forecasting, providing competence in current international best practice for snow avalanche management and mitigation.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course focus on the science of the key snow and avalanche processes. The course examines the meteorological background for snow in particular the snowfall and wind redistribution processes, and how the snow cover develops over varying temporal and spatial scales. Students will consider all of the physical attributes of the snow cover from the local to the regional to the global setting, and place the seasonal snow cover in the wider cryospheric global context. The theoretical part of the course will introduce snow science basics, including a scientific understanding of the physical properties of the snowpack including the mechanical, radiative, thermal and hydrological properties. Students will learn how and why these properties behave in the ways that they do. We will examine issues related to spatial and temporal scales and implications for sampling. Finally there will be an emphasis on snow avalanches and snow dynamics including consideration of avalanche hazard mapping, run-out modelling, hazard mitigation and forecasting. This will provide knowledge and skills in current international best practice for snow avalanche management and mitigation. The course has a specific focus on developing skills and knowledge about snow science and avalanche dynamics, and will be very strongly field based. The field classes will also be a rich setting for field based lectures and demonstrations. In the field we will develop skills to make efficient and robust data collection to a prescribed standard. This will include observations of snow crystal type, form, size, density, hardness, temperature as well as snow stability and snow water content tests. In the field documentation of the physical properties of the snowpack includes also the mechanical, radiative, thermal and hydrological properties, the snow stratigraphy, and learning how to conduct a series of snow stability, snow structure and snow water content observations and tests. Most of the field classes will be completed in different parts of the mountain landscape surrounding UNIS. We will also use the student housing as a case study to examine snow avalanche risk, estimate maximum run-out zones and impact pressures and consider mitigation options. This strong field component makes this course unique. Seminars will deal with papers based on relevant field studies, to improve the understanding of processes, and current best practice. Discussions will concentrate on identifying the critical questions for future snow science research, and how procedures might be devised to address these questions.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 3 weeks including compulsory safety training. The course will have a theoretical part with class based lectures and seminars. There will also be an extensive field work component, with six one day field based classes and a two days excursion. The field days will include snow lectures and hands on demonstrations to illustrate key processes and tasks while in the field. The final field excursion will present a deeper, even more maritime snowpack in the coastal areas of Svalbard, and examine issues related to spatial regional variability. The field work and excursions may be subject to changes, depending upon the weather conditions.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
Each field class will include a laboratory exercise conducted in groups of 2-3 students, which has to be written up as a formal laboratory report. These six reports combined with one field excursion report, will constitute 60 % of the final grade. Total lecture hours: 30 hours (10 of which will be in the field). Total exercise hours: 20 hours. Field work or field excursion: 8 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Six field reports and one field trip report Written exam
2 hours
Percentage of final grade
60% 40%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
Field work, field excursions, field and laboratory exercises and group reports, scientific paper presentations. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Marine geology students analysing sediment samples on a scientific cruise. Photo: Riko Noormets/UNIS
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69 Ice portal inside Tellbreen. Photo: Eva Therese Jenssen/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-822
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Fold and Thrust Belts and Foreland Basin Systems (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (March-April), every year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English
stratigraphic traps and fractured reservoirs. All sessions demonstrate key subjects through practical exercises, including team work on a sandbox analogue experiment. The outstanding fold-thrust belt of Spitsbergen will be analysed and visited during excursions. Other discussed fold and thrust belts will be the classical Zagros Belt (Iran/ Iraq/Pakistan) and Cordilleran Belt (USA).
CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-322 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles and compendium (ca. 500 pages), hand-outs COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
To be announced COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1200-1400 (6-7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-322/822 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-322. Total lecture and seminar hours: 40 hours. Total seminar hours: 10 hours. Field excursions: 6-7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field trips with exercises, modelling exercise, literature report and presentation(s). A pre-course assignment, to be verbally presented for the course participants. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD program. Knowledge in structural geology and sedimentology.
Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Concepts around fold-thrust belts and foreland basins, crosssection construction and balancing, analysis of sandbox experiments, seismic processing techniques and practical seismic analysis, reservoir assessments, and observation skills around visited fold-thrust belt structures.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Fold and thrust belts and foreland basins are important petroleum provinces, which can be assessed through insight into their internal geometry and development. The course starts with a review of the most commonly observed structures in fold and thrust belts, focusing on the relationship between thrusting and folding. The principles behind construction of balanced cross-sections are discussed. The next session addresses the link between the foldthrust belt and deposition in the foreland basin system, emphasizing source to sink concepts. Thereafter, a session focuses on seismic expressions of fold-thrust structures and foreland basin geometries. The course is summarized by discussions on petroleum play concepts such as
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-823
|
Sequence Stratigraphy a Tool for Basin Analysis (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August-September), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-323 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; Ca. 300 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: William Helland-Hansen william.helland-Hansen@geo.uib.no UNIS contact person: Snorre Olaussen snorre.olaussen@unis.no
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Sequence stratigraphy is one of the main approaches and constitutes a fundamental element in the workflow of mapping subsurface basin fills and reservoirs. The sedimentary successions exposed in Svalbard are a unique laboratory for studying stratigraphic building blocks ranging from facies to sequences. The Svalbard succession will be examined in the field and an in-depth review of recent scientific literature including discussions on currently applied concepts and methods will be given in the classroom.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-323.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Lectures, practical classes and field exercises will focus on the recognition of trends in facies stacking patterns and key stratal surfaces which may be used in sequence delineation and correlation. Field logging will lead to the creation of architectural panels at different scale across sections of the Late Palaeozoic, Cretaceous and Palaeogene of central Spitsbergen with subsequent interpretation of these data in terms of palaeoenvironment and sequence development. Practical work will include the recognition of sequence architectures through the analysis of well-data and seismic reflection profiles. One lecture day will be allocated for student presentations of central articles. Together this wide range of learning activities will expose the students to many aspects of the subject matter and will equip them with a thorough understanding of sequence stratigraphy.
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have an in-depth understanding of sequence stratigraphic concepts and methods both for carbonate and siliciclastic rocks.
Total lecture hours: 16 hours. Total seminar hours: 14 hours. Field work: 8 days. Project work and preparation for exam: 9 days.
COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1600 (8 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-323/823 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme in geoscience.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be fully capable of describing and analysing a sedimentary succession with focus on interpretation of depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy. Be highly skilled and advanced in identifying genetically related sedimentary units and their intervening discontinuity surfaces. Have a mature attitude towards how to use evidence for changes in base level and sediment supply within a succession as a tool for stratal correlation and for predicting facies distributions in time and space. Be well-reflected in evaluating which controls are responsible for stacking and geometry of sedimentary successions. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be fully capable of using the above knowledge and skills in practical work tasks related to reservoir characterization and delineation and basin fill evaluation.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, exercises, one article presentation (in a seminar). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-825
|
Glaciology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (February-March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-325 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Benn and Evans (2010): “Glaciers and Glaciation, Part 1” (256 pages). Selected journal articles (ca. 300 pages). COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Doug Benn doug.benn@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-325/825 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme. Background in glaciology, physical geography and/or geology, although glaciology PhD students with other backgrounds will also be considered.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course is a systematic survey of modern research into glacial processes, and the response of glaciers and ice sheets to climate change. Lectures will cover recent changes to arctic glaciers, the principles of mass balance measurement and modelling, glacier hydrology, glacier motion and dynamics, surges, calving and numerical modelling. Students will also have the opportunity to present talks on their own research projects. Discussions will concentrate on identifying the critical questions for future glaciological research, and how procedures might be devised to address these questions.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4,5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-325. The course will have a theoretical part with lectures and seminars, and a practical part with and computer-based exercises, excursions and field work. The practical part will allow students to see and study glacial phenomena discussed in the lectures, and will introduce them to glaciological field methods. There will be field excursions to englacial caves (meltwater conduits), calving glaciers and surging glaciers, and will introduce students to on-going research projects. The field work and excursions may be subject to changes, depending upon the weather conditions. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Exercise hours: 20 hours. Field work or field excursions: 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a comprehensive understanding of glaciological processes, illustrated with examples from Svalbard and other glaciated regions. Have insight into different approaches to investigating glaciological systems via field observations, models and remote sensing. Have a considerable insight into the response of glaciers to climate change, and the challenges of predicting future directions in glacier mass balance and dynamics. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Master a range of key skills needed in modern glaciology, including field data collection and analysis, numerical modelling and interpretation of results. Have the ability to produce and present high quality scientific reports. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Hold considerable competence in critical thinking and evaluation of the published literature. Appreciate in depth how glaciological knowledge is created, drawing from other natural science disciplines and based on strong theoretical, methodological and observation principles. This will include consideration of research design, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Exercises, field work and field excursions. Researching and writing a long essay on a prescribed topic. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Essay (title announced in week 4 of course) Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-826
|
Quaternary Glacial and Climate History of the Arctic (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (September-October), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-326 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles, book chapters: Ca. 1000 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ólafur Ingólfsson Olafur.ingolfsson@unis.no
complex overviews and taking lead in group discussions on outstanding questions concerning regional Quaternary palaeoenvironmental developments. Skills in challenging established knowledge and paradigms. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to identify new relevant research questions, critically discuss and assess glacial and palaeoclimatic reconstructions from literature and develop alternative ideas. Be well acquainted with current conceptual thinking in Quaternary geology. Be able to debate existing reconstructions of Arctic glacier and palaeoclimate development, and identify areas where more research is needed. Be able to communicate important research questions and themes, both orally and in writing, at international standards. Be able to take initiatives and exercise academic leadership.
COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 800 (4 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/25 students (AG-326/826 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme in Quaternary geology, glacial geology, physical geography or marine geology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Broad overview of large-scale Late Quaternary glacial and climatic changes in the Arctic, as well as understanding of causal links in the build-up and decay of high-latitude large ice sheets. Specific knowledge of the Last Glacial Maximum ice sheets and their subsequent deglaciation. Good understanding of circum-Arctic Holocene glacial and environmental changes. Thorough understanding of natural palaeoclimatic variations and glacial history in the Arctic, how ice sheet configurations have been reconstructed in various Arctic key regions, as well as an awareness of major challenges in Arctic palaeoglaciacial and palaeoclimatic research. In-depth understanding of history of concepts and paradigm shifts regarding the glacial and climate history of the Arctic. Advanced knowledge of certain “hot” themes (theme will vary between individual years), like “Little Ice Age in the Arctic“, “Fingerprints of the Anthropocene in the Arctic”, “Cronological challenges in the Arctic”, “modelling Arctic ice sheets”, etc Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in penetrating, critically assessing and analysing large datasets that are the basis of important syntheses on development of the Arctic glacial and climate systems through time. Skills in communicating extensive works and mastering the terminology of Quaternary and palaeoclimate research. Skills in formulating and outlining outstanding research questions. Skills in presenting
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course will give insight into the development of the Arctic through the Quaternary with emphasis on the interaction and feedbacks between climate developments, glaciers and the oceans through glacials and interglacials. This will be done through literature studies, state-ofthe-art lectures, student seminars and discussions of the glacial histories of Svalbard-Barents Sea, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Canada, Alaska, Northern Russia and Siberia. The course focuses on terrestrial records although marine and ice core records will also be discussed in order to highlight environmental changes around the Arctic basin and to discuss causes for climatic changes and feedback processes. The preconditions of correlating different Quaternary records are robust geochronologies, and recent developments in dating techniques like Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), cosmogenic nuclide exposure and radiocarbon dating will be highlighted in case studies. Recent advances in ice-sheet modelling and studies of palaeo-ice dynamics and landscape development in the Arctic will also be highlighted. The concept of distinctive ice dynamics and glacier regimes reflected in landscapes based on landform associations interrelated to cold-based non-erosive glacier ice and fast flowing ice streams will be studied.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-326. The course will have a theoretical part with lectures, literature studies and discussion seminars, and a four-day excursion. The excursion will give the students an opportunity to experience glacial sediments, stratigraphies, morphologies and glacial landscapes. The excursion may be subject to changes, depending upon weather conditions. Students will be asked to present their PhD research and discuss outstanding research questions they are dealing with. Total lecture hours: 40 hours. Total seminar hours: 40 hours. Field excursion: 4 days.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
ASSESSMENT:
Active participation in seminar presentations, lectures and excursion.
Method
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Written report Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
30% 70%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
AG-326/826 students take a break and stretch out on a field excursion. Photo: Anne Hormes/UNIS
|
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-830
|
Permafrost and Periglacial Environments (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (April-May), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-330 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list: Ca. 650 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ole Humlum ole.humlum@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, from none to ca. NOK 1000 COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-330/830 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course has a specific focus on the interaction between permafrost, periglacial processes and climate, and how this interaction controls the different periglacial landforms. The course will give an insight into modern research methods, including field methods and theoretical approaches to understanding processes and impacts of climate on periglacial landforms. The theoretical part will introduce permafrost basics, periglacial geomorphology, and the meteorological control on the permafrost distribution and the activity of periglacial processes and landforms. The course will focus on arctic and alpine landscapes. Seminars will deal with papers based on field studies in Svalbard or other cold-climatic regions, to improve the understanding of geomorphological processes, and to demonstrate the use of periglacial landforms to reconstruct past environments and climatic conditions. Discussions will concentrate on identifying the critical questions for future permafrost and periglacial research, and how procedures might be devised to address these questions.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme. Background in physical geography and/or Quaternary geology is recommended.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: A comprehensive advanced understanding of geomorphic processes in regions with permafrost and periglacial landforms, exemplified by Svalbard. Knowledge and understanding of the geomorphological complexities of cold-climate landscapes. Insight into modern research methods and theoretical approaches to understanding processes and impacts of climate on periglacial landforms. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in various field and mapping techniques, and methods of data interpretation. Training in the ability to combine theory with field methods and observations. A capability of analysing existing theories and to plan personal research using relevant methods. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have acquired competence in (1) critical thinking and evaluation of scientific literature on permafrost and periglacial processes; (2) discovering knowledge by own means, and retaining this knowledge; (3) perceiving relations between old and new knowledge, and applying this effectively to solve new scientific problems. Be able to communicate and critically evaluate research.
The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-330. The course will have a theoretical part with lectures and seminars, and a practical part with excursions and field work. The practical part will emphasise field methods relevant to permafrost-related research such as geomorphological mapping techniques, drilling in permafrost and installation and operation of sensors and data loggers for measuring temperature and other parameters of the active layer and top permafrost. There will be field excursions to permafrost monitoring sites, rock glaciers, talus sheets, ice-wedges, pingos and rock free faces to visit on-going research projects and for collection of field data. The field work and excursions may be subject to changes, depending upon the weather conditions. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Exercise hours: 20 hours. Field work or field excursion: 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, field excursions, field and laboratory exercises. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Oral presentation of chosen topic. Discussion. Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
33% 67%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-832
|
Arctic Late Quaternary Glacial Stratigraphy - Field School (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (July-August), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-332 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles; ca. 700 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Ólafur Ingólfsson; olafur.ingolfsson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1600 (8 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-332/832 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Students should have a general understanding of glacial sedimentology and stratigraphy. The course is intended for PhD students in glacial and Quaternary geology, physical geography and marine geology. It links to AG-826 (Quaternary Glacial and Climate History of the Arctic), and is also recommended for students taking UNIS graduate courses in Quaternary marine geology and glacial geology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Good knowledge and understanding of Late Quaternary stratigraphical successions on Svalbard and the Arctic, where repeated sequences of glacial tills, glaciomarine and litoral sediments fingerprint major glaciations. Be able to recognize major lithofacies and lithofacies associations encountered in glacial-deglacial sequences. Knowledge of glacial depositional environments and insight into the debris cascade through glaciations in the Arctic, and of the longterm climatic fluctuations between glacial and interglacial periods in the Arctic. Broad knowledge of Svalbard and Arctic morphology and landscape developments on different scales through repeated glacial cycles, as well as an understanding of chronological and correlation challenges on Svalbard and in the Arctic. Be able to contribute to the collection of novel data and development of new ideas and interpretations, based on documentation in the field.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Proficiency in lithostratigraphical and sedimentological field methods and mapping techniques, as well as methods of data interpretation. Skills in mapping/logging complex stratigraphical sequences and the ability to carry out an independent research project in accordance with state-ofthe art field methods, as well as recording observations in a way that complies to high academic standards. Skills in analysing and interpreting field data and discussing finds in context with current theories and ideas on Quaternary glacial history. Ability to report findings and to formulate scholarly arguments when delivering lectures/seminars, reporting scientific finds and presenting data. Skills in Arctic survival and safety techniques. General competences Competence in mastering the most important elements of geological research projects: penetrating literature for status on studied area/objects, carrying out field research, analysing data and communicating results to fellow students/scientists. Be able to present stratigraphical and morphological observations and interpretations in accordance with state-of-the-art protocols for data documentation and handling. Be able to communicate and discuss current academic concepts and theories and contribute new ideas regarding Quaternary environmental developments in Svalbard and the Arctic. Competence in academic leadership and being able to take leading roles in the field work and discussions.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course takes advantage of relatively easy access from UNIS to most key-stratigraphic sites on western Svalbard. After one-day training in Arctic field safety, the course starts with introductory lectures on Svalbard geology and history of concepts concerning the Late Quaternary Svalbard-Barents Sea ice sheet. Logging techniques, important Arctic sediment types and lithofacies, as well as chronological challenges in the Arctic, are dealt with in lectures, with reference to recent case studies.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 3 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-332. Students are required to spend approximately one week of preparations before coming to UNIS, to read key-literature and prepare a seminar presentation. The initial lectures are followed by seminars, where each student participant gives an oral presentation on a selected subject concerning the glacial and climate history of Svalbard, based on in-depth study of the literature. Field school will be conducted during eight days, where several key stratigraphic sites on Spitsbergen will be studied to give the student participants a better understanding of the Quaternary history of
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Svalbard and the Barents Sea region. The field work is supervised, and hands-on training and discussions conducted in the field. The focus of the field school is on interpretation of sedimentary successions and geomorphology in order to reconstruct glacial history, sea level changes and palaeoclimatic variations. As well as re-examining key stratigraphical sites, the students will be given opportunity to participate in collection of novel stratigraphic data, if possible. The students will present their field results in the form of a scientific report. The data and observations collected during the field work will be used to critically assess the validity of published interpretations of the Svalbard Late Quaternary stratigraphy. The report will be completed during one-week of supervised time at UNIS, after the field school. The participants are offered individual tutoring, where the supervising professor will discuss individual student’s competence development through the course and give carrier advice. Pre-course preparations: 1 week Total lecture hours: 12 hours. Total seminar hours: 16 hours. Excursion / field school: 8 days. Post-excursion work with data and report: 1 week.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Active participation in field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Pre-excursion presentations Written report
Time
Percentage of final grade
25% 75%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-834
|
Arctic Basins and Petroleum Provinces (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (August-September), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-334 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Articles, and compendium; ca. 500 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Snorre Olaussen snorre.olaussen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work; NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/25 students (AG-334/834 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
After introduction to petroleum geology, students will be introduced to the geological evolution and regional geology of the main Mesozoic and Cenozoic petroleum provinces within the Arctic. An updated introduction to Arctic plate tectonics and evolution will also be provided. Based on regional seismic reflection lines, well data and onshore field analogs the students will be able to construct the major T/R cycles (first- and second-order sequences) and their related depositional sequences. Case-studies from the major Arctic oil and gas producing fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf will be used in applied methodology exercises for calculation of hydrocarbon reserves. This will be combined with an introduction to the exploration history of the various basins, providing: the exploration process of oil and gas from a regional perspective; use of geophysical and geological data; knowledge, visions and ideas of source, reservoir and trap leading through an initial definition of a play, then to leads and finally to risked prospects in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea. Mesozoic and Cenozoic outcropping strata on Spitsbergen will be used to demonstrate successful hydrocarbon playmodels to producing oil- and gas-fields. The link between onshore and offshore geology will be focused. This link will be used to demonstrate the exploration process from the use of data and G&G knowledge to generation of play concepts, leads and prospects.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Enrolment in a PhD programme in geology or solid earth geophysics.
The course extends over 4,5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-334.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The PhD students will receive a pre-course assignment based on one or more scientific papers that they will present during the course as a lecture or a seminar.
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Comprehensive understanding of Arctic Basins and their development, using subsurface data from Barents Sea and exposed onshore strata from Svalbard. Insight into the exploration process and large scale regional overview of the Upper Palaeozoic to Neogene. Acquired a basic understanding of how to use modern research methods for development play concepts and resource estimation. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in using geological observation and available data for interpretation of the basins. Training in the ability to combine theory with logging of outcrop and core data to evaluate resource potential. Ability to analyse and evaluate data to fit theories. Hands on experience of the workflow on modern works stations in the industry, combining data from wire line logs, core data and onshore/offshore seismic. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Ability to search for needed knowledge to critical evaluate the scientific reliability of available collected data and show the importance of specific data sets. Learned how to critically analyse old and new knowledge, and to apply this for solving scientific problems.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The exposed strata and basins on Svalbard will enable the students to aquire advanced knowledge on petroleum provinces in the Arctic. Excellent outcrops of Upper Palaeozoic and Mesozoic basin fill will be used to illustrate the main principles of source, reservoir and traps within a hydrocarbon play.
The course will have a theoretical part with lectures and seminars, and a practical part with excursions and field work. The practical part will emphasize geological field work as logging of outcrop and core data. There will be field excursions to the classical Festningen profile; Isfjorden which cover Upper Carboniferous to base Paleocene. The logging section will include both reservoir and source. The field work and excursions may be subject to changes, depending upon the weather conditions. Total lecture hours: 24 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours Excursion / field work: 7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field excursion and fieldwork: 14 days. Group field report (to be submitted 2 months after the course). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Pre-course assignment Written report Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 30% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-835
|
Arctic Seismic Exploration (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring (February-March), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-335. Total lecture hours: Ca. 35 hours. Total seminar hours: 10 hours. Field exercises: Ca. 1 week.
10 ECTS overlap with AG-335
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
GRADE:
Field exercises, computer exercises. Pre-course assignment (to be prepared and presented orally).
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendiums: Ca. 350 pagess
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Snorre Olaussen snorre.olaussen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day)
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
Written report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
30% 70%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Basic knowledge of the seismic method.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Have insight into the specific challenges related to seismic exploration in arctic environments and how this influences on the seismic analyses.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course gives in-depth knowledge in seismic exploration on snow, ice or frozen ground. Particular attention is on seismic acquisition, processing and on the seismic properties of frozen or partly melted materials, including gas hydrates, characteristic for Polar environments. The structure of the upper crust in polar areas is still relatively poorly known. By seismic exploration the sound properties of the upper few kilometres of the earth is revealed. The course starts by introducing the basic principles behind pressure (P) and shear (S) waves, and how they are utilized in seismic exploration on snow, ice and in open sea in the vicinity of sea ice. Then is outlined the physical properties and elastic wave propagation in porous (partly and fully frozen) sediments and ice, with emphasis on the effect of the soil temperature. Furthermore, the foundation and seismic properties of gas hydrates are discussed. The course follows by outlining the main procedures in seismic processing and interpretation. Finally, specific attention is paid on the use of the seismic method in monitoring of CO2 sequestration, subsurface fluid flow and pressure alterations.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-838
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Sedimentology Field Course – from Depositional Systems to Sedimentary Architecture (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (June-July), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-338 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles; ca. 600 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Maria Jensen maria.jensen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG-338/838 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme. General knowledge about sedimentology and stratigraphy, like AG-209 or similar.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: An advanced understanding of the origin, use and limitations of facies models used in sedimentological analyses. Knowledge on typical sedimentary facies in modern coldclimate sediments (colluvial, fluvial, tidal and pro-glacial) and in ancient sedimentary rocks exposed on Svalbard (primarily fluvial, coastal/tidal and shallow shelf deposits). Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Identify and describe sedimentary characteristics for modern sedimentary environments and use the understanding of sedimentary processes, deposits and geometries to establish own facies models for sedimentary environments typical for the Arctic. Analyse sedimentary facies and architecture in outcrops of any age and use theoretical knowledge to discuss alternative models. Compare core and outcrop data. Discuss alternative forcing mechanisms (including relative sea level) as drivers for change in sedimentary architecture and stacking patterns. Critically evaluate published results and interpretations. Discuss and question conceptual models for sedimentary environments or valley fills by combining own observations with ideas from the literature. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Critically assess and discuss sedimentological data, develop models in a team and apply experience from field work in the Arctic.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course focus is on siliciclastic rocks/sediments. The course takes advantage of the excellent outcrops of sedimentary rocks in central Spitsbergen combined with access to study characteristic modern processes and deposits in a high Arctic environment. Modern deposits from near-shore, fluvial and slope processes are investigated and used to discuss the influence of climatic zones on facies models. Some of the discussions and observations are also relevant when investigating the ancient sedimentary record, and used to discuss preservation potential, lateral variations and implications of e.g. terrain on facies models. The course consists of alternating lectures, seminars and field work. Lectures will provide background information for the current state of debate and students will be expected to critically assess published facies models and interpretations in seminars. The field work will focus on gaining practical experience with description and interpretation of sedimentological data. The data collected in the field will be used to discuss published models and interpretations. Field excursions will be carried out partly as daytrips in the area near Longyearbyen and partly as overnight excursions to other areas in order to have access to the full range of sedimentary environments. The course provides a background for courses in sequence stratigraphy (AG-323/AG-823), rift basin reservoirs – from outcrop to model (AG-336/AG-836) and geological constraints of CO2 sequestration (AG-341/AG-841). The course is also recommended for students taking courses in Quaternary geology.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-338. The course relies on active student participation and field work, seminar presentations and discussions are prioritized over lectures. Lectures are used to explain basic principles and introduce topics and terminology, but students will work actively in the field, in the laboratory and in discussion seminars with re- investigations of published work or collecting and interpreting new data. Total lecture hours: 15 hours. Total seminar hours: 25 hours. Excursions: 10 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field exercises, oral presentations of field results. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-842
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The Marine Cryosphere and its Cenozoic History (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (April), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AG-342 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/reading list; Ca. 450 pages
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The term marine cryosphere is used to collectively describe frozen water within the marine portion of the Earth’s surface. This incorporates marine based ice sheets including ice shelves and ice streams, icebergs, sea ice, and subsea permafrost. The marine cryosphere has played a key role during several time periods of the Earth’s geological history and is a critical component in studies of climate change. In this course, the students will learn about the evolution of the marine cryosphere during the Cenozoic when the Earth’s experienced a long term palaeoclimatic change from the warm greenhouse to the colder icehouse world.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
The course embraces the marine environment from shallow shelves to the deep ocean. Arctic and Antarctic analogies and differences with respect to the Cenozoic history of the marine cryosphere will be discussed.
COURSE COSTS:
The main topics of the course are: 1. General physical characteristics of the marine cryosphere: marine based ice sheets, icebergs, sea ice and subsea permafrost 2. Dynamics of marine based ice sheets and sea ice 3. Marine glaciogenic landforms: mapping and interpretation 4. Sea ice and glacial sediment proxies: from biomarkers to ice rafted debris 5. Past and present drift patterns of sea ice and icebergs: implications for interpretation of palaeo-proxies 6. The Cenozoic history of the marine cryosphere 7. Ice sheet modelling: limitations and possibilities to simulate the marine components 8. The cryosphere’s interaction with the marine environment and climate
Course responsible: Martin Jakobsson martin.jakobsson@geo.su.se UNIS contact person: Riko Noormets riko.noormets@unis.no Field work, NOK 400-1000 (2-5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AG342/842 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Enrolment in a PhD programme in Earth sciences. Fundamentals of geology especially within sedimentology, corresponding to AG-209, AG-210, AG-211, or equivalent.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Knowledge about the Cenozoic history of the marine cryosphere and physical characteristics of its components, and their interaction with the marine environment and climate. A general understanding of the main survey methods and tools applied to study the marine cryosphere. Knowledge of the main palaeo proxies used to study the marine cryosphere’s Cenozoic history. Understanding of capabilities and limitations of numerical ice sheet models. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Practical skills on analysis of geological records, such as mapped marine glaciogenic landforms and sediment cores, that can be used to reconstruct the palaeo-history of the marine cryosphere. Practical skills from assisting in data acquisition during field work. Analytical skills to determine limitations and possibilities in modelling studies of marine ice sheets including ice shelves and ice streams. Ability to design and carry out a research project and by synthesizing the results with data from various sources, explain and challenge the existing theories. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Basic experience in Arctic field work planning and execution. Independent as well as team-work skills. Independent research writing skills on given topic. Presentation skills, written and oral. Skills in communicating current research topics to the public.
Geological/geophysical data, providing information on the spatial extent and dynamics of the Svalbard-Barents ice sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum, are compared with ice sheet modelling results in the laboratory computer exercises. This will give the students a direct insight into the present limitations and possibilities to simulate the key components of marine based ice sheets; ice streams and ice shelves.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AG-342. Prior to the course, as a pre-course assignment, the students are asked to prepare a short talk about their PhD projects specifying its relevance to the content of the course and present it in a seminar early in the course. Through the lectures, field work, lab exercises and individual project work, the students will be introduced to the marine cryosphere and its components. Specific emphasis is placed on describing and discussing available methods to study the geological history of the marine cryosphere. The course includes 2-5 days field work based on the sea ice in front of one of Svalbard’s tidewater glaciers. The field work will give students first-hand experience of geophysical, geological and oceanographic data collection and sampling procedures. This field work is coordinated with course AG-839 since multibeam mapping, sedimentological
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and oceanographic data are acquired from the same area. In a seminar towards the end of the course the students will present the results of their course projects in a 10-15 min. oral presentation to the class for discussion. Finally the students will, as part of the course assessment, complete a scientific project report. Total lecture hours, seminars and practical exercises: ca. 50 hours. Field work: 2-5 days.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written project report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
30% 70%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work/cruise, two seminars, two oral presentations (one at each seminar). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
AG-338/838 students on excursion to Festningen in Isfjorden. Photo: Maria Jensen/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AG-844
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Dynamics of Calving Glaciers (5 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (September), every other year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Benn and Evans (2010) Glaciers and Glaciation, Part 1 (256 pp.), plus selected journal articles (ca. 300 pp.)
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 2.5 weeks including compulsory safety training. Total lecture hours: 40 hours. Total laboratory work (computing and remote sensing): 20 hours. Excursions: 2 days of boat trips to calving glaciers.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Researching and writing a paper on an approved topic. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Doug Benn doug.benn@unis.no
ASSESSMENT:
COURSE COSTS:
Method
Excursions; ca. NOK 1000 COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
8/16 students
Time
Written paper
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
Written exam
2 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a PhD programme. Background in glaciology or related discipline.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Knowledge of recent changes to calving glaciers in Greenland, Antarctica, Svalbard, and other regions An understanding of the key glaciological processes underlying calving glacier behaviour Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Practical experience of numerical modelling and remote sensing. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: An awareness of major unsolved research problems, and insight into how these may be addressed.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course is a detailed exploration of the behaviour of calving glaciers, marine ice-streams and ice shelves. Lectures and seminars will focus on recent changes in calving glacier dynamics and front positions, and the theory of key processes including hydrology, basal motion, fracturing and calving. Laboratory work will include practical classes on modelling calving glaciers, and remote sensing of glacier oscillations, velocities, and other key characteristics.
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AGF-211 students digging in the sea ice in Palanderbukta, Nordaustlandet. Photo: Juni Vaardal-Lunde/UNIS
aRCTIC TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS...
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Dette er en bildetekst som skal følge overskriften. Her skriver du en bildetekst. Photo by: Ola Normann
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS
ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS Svalbard (78°N) is the northernmost location on Earth that can easily be visited at any time of the year. The students at UNIS have the opportunity to sit ring-side to observe phenomena that are specific to Polar regions and study the physical processes that lead up to them. UNIS seeks to introduce students to the entire vertical column, from the deep of the oceans up to the outermost boundary of the atmosphere, as a dynamic system with a large variety of processes going on inside each layer as well as interactions between them. NOTE: This department offers courses that are also relevant for UNIS students within e.g. geoscience.
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SPECIFIC FIELDS OF STUDY Oceanography: At Svalbard you are in an excellent position to study the complicated air-ice-sea interaction processes in nature’s own laboratory. Meteorology: Study the processes related to very stable boundary layers and the contrast between cold ice/snow surfaces and relatively warm sea that leads to atmospheric phenomena that can only be observed in Polar Regions. Cryosphere: A distinct feature of the Arctic is the cryosphere. The high Arctic setting in combination with frequent occurrence of warm spells coming from south makes Svalbard a unique place for studying the dynamics of snow and ice in a changing climate. The Middle Polar Atmosphere: Study the unique phenomena of Polar stratospheric clouds, noctilucent clouds, abnormal radar reflections, the Polar mesospheric summer echoes, and the presence of large quantities of sub visual dust.
Upper Polar Atmosphere: Svalbard is at daytime located underneath the polar cusp opening towards the interplanetary space. The polar cusp region is where the solar-terrestrial coupling is most direct and strongest. The two months of darkness mid-winter makes Svalbard one of the most ideal places for ground-based observations of daytime Aurora Borealis. More information about Arctic geophysics at UNIS can be found at this webpage: www.unis.no/studies/geophysics
BACHELOR COURSES
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RECOMMENDED COURSE COMBINATIONS: AUTUMN
SPRING
TWO OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES: AGF-210 AGF-213 AGF-214
AGF-211 AGF-212
AT-209* AT-210* * = Interdisciplinary courses
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - BACHELOR COURSES
AGF-210
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The Middle Polar Atmosphere (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester, (August-November/December), yearly
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to describe and discuss the major processes by which the middle atmosphere reacts to external influence from sun and meteor influx, and how the results of these processes can influence the lower parts of the atmosphere..
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, hand-outs; ca. 400 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
To be announced COURSE COSTS:
Field work, ca. NOK 1000 (5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course will lead to a basic understanding of topical problems related to radiation, chemistry, dynamics and circulation, aerosol physics and waves in the middle atmosphere. The formation and effect of planetary waves, gravity waves and tidal oscillations will be described. Their importance in connecting the mesosphere and its processes to the processes in the lower atmospheric layers will be discussed. Special attention will be paid to how radar, lidar, optical and rocket instrumentation are used to investigate the conditions in this part of the atmosphere.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
The students will get an introduction to the physics of dust/aerosol particles and their role in formation of the noctilucent cloud phenomenon, the radar scattering summer clouds (PMSE) and winter clouds (PMWE). Field work will be connected to airglow observations from the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO), and to radar and lidar observations from Andøya Rocket Range (ARR).
60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics, and geophysical fluid dynamics.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training.
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue, calculator
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to understand that all parts of the Earth’s atmosphere must be considered in climate and long term weather forecasts. Be able to exemplify why the influence of the tenuous middle atmosphere (stratosphere and mesosphere) can be considerable and should no longer be neglected. Be able to describe how solar particle influx and UV radiation, which are mainly absorbed in the mesosphere, produce reactive molecules which can be transported to lower layers and influence strongly on their chemistry and heat absorption. Realize that meteoric smoke particles produced in the mesosphere where the meteors mainly burn up and re-condense, impact the chemistry of the neutral and charged atmosphere, and that they are useful tracers of atmospheric dynamics. Have obtained a good overview and basic knowledge of how different remote sensing and in-situ measurement techniques are used to study middle atmospheric processes. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have experience in examining the effects of radiation, chemistry, aerosols and waves on the middle atmosphere using theoretical calculations and by interpreting observational data sets. Have the ability to visualise and analyse atmospheric data, using specialised software and by writing code/scripts using matlab (and/or similar languages).
Total lecture hours: 65 hours. Total seminar hours: 30 hours. Field work/Excursion: 4-6 days. Through interactive lectures with experts in the different topics the students will get basic and specialized knowledge about the different physical processes important in the middle atmosphere. During the seminar hours, the students will have exercises that train them in visualising and interpreting data from different instrumentation, as well as solving theoretical problems to understand the basis for the physics behind the processes. During the field trips to KHO and ARR, the students gain knowledge about the full range of scientific instrumentation and measurements techniques that are used within the field, and get further experience in analysing and interpreting the various data sets.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work and written report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
5 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - BACHELOR COURSES
AGF-211
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Air-Ice-Sea Interaction (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester, (January-May/June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Dirk Notz dirk.notz@unis.no Course contact person: Frank Nilsen frank.nilsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, ca. NOK 1400 (7 days x 200 NOK per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics and geophysical fluid dynamics. It is also recommended that students have a minimum basic knowledge of oceanography corresponding to Chapter 1-6, 8, 9.11 in Pond and Pickard (1983): “Introduction to Dynamical Oceanography”, Pergamon Press, or to similar texts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: A wide knowledge of processes controlling the sea ice cover in the Marginal Ice Zone, on thermodynamic- and mechanical ice growth, and boundary layer theories. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to identify boundary layers above and below sea ice and apply turbulence theory in order to calculate heat- and salt fluxes in the under-ice boundary layer. Moreover, be able to classify different sea ice types and the corresponding internal sea ice structure through analysing ice core data. Have the ability to handle a scientific instrument used in oceanography on scientific cruises and acquire skills in writing scientific reports based on data collected during field work. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have cmpetence in Arctic marine field work operations. Be able to process oceanographic data, writing a scientific report and presenting the results in public.
with sea-ice. Subjects covered include the thermodynamic aspects of freezing and melting of sea-ice, the fine-scale structure of sea-ice, the formation and deformation of icecover caused by thermodynamic processes and influence of wind, currents and wave action. The course also covers turbulent boundary layer theory connected with winds and currents in the boundary layers above and below the ice cover, and the processes that provide and influence the energy balance in the ocean-ice-air boundary layer. Energy balance and the effective production of water types in regions with sea-ice are discussed with a view to the impact on climate. Field work will take place on sea ice (fjord ice or ice floes) during a scientific cruise with a research vessel. Students make reports from selected field measurements. The most relevant combination with this course would be AGF-212.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). Total lecture hours: 60 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Field exercises: 7 days. The effective learning of air-ice-sea interaction has three essential components: 1. Building a knowledge base through classroom lectures, seminars, classroom and laboratory experiments and literature review, with feedback given through formative assessments. 2. Field work, where the students engage in research case studies using their knowledge base and theoretical models in the real world. Students are supervised in using different instruments and measuring techniques, and work in cooperative learning groups. 3. Writing reports, where the analysis of data is tested against theoretical model, and vice versa Reports are written under supervision, where feedback and formative / peer assessments are given. The final examination is oral where we focus on the understanding of the physical processes studied in the course. The students are allowed to defend their report and discuss it in a larger context, connecting it to other students’ reports as well as theory.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field- and laboratory exercises and report, oral presentation of report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course gives students an understanding of the processes involved in the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere in regions totally or partly covered
Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - BACHELOR COURSES
AGF-212
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Snow and Ice Processes (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester, (January-May/June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 500 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Jon Ove Hagen joh@geo.uio.no UNIS contact person: Frank Nilsen frank.nilsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics and geophysical fluid dynamics. It is also recommended that students have a minimum basic knowledge of earth science and preferably some insight into cryospheric processes. Students should have basic knowledge in thermodynamics, mechanics, partial differential equations, experience in Matlab or other data analysis.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to understand and describe physical and dynamical processes of snow and ice and the response on climate changes in the Arctic. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to handle scientific instruments used during the field course and have skills in writing scientific reports based on data collected during field work. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to discuss recent and on-going research activity on glaciers and ice sheets.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course gives an overview of the most important components and processes of the Arctic terrestrial cryosphere and its interaction with climate, with a focus on glaciers.
The course includes introductions to: • the processes which lead to the formation of snow in the atmosphere and the processes causing transformation of snow into ice on the ground • the theory of mass- and energy fluxes inside snowand ice masses as well as the interaction with the atmosphere • the theory of ice dynamics, heat- and mass transfer, thermal regime and the distribution of temperature inside snow, glaciers and ice-sheets • principles of glacier dynamics and the interpretation of chemical and physical parameters from ice-cores • modelling of the mass balance and dynamics of glaciers. The most relevant combination with this course would be AGF-211.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). During the course, field excursions and field exercises are important components. Glacier field work is included and aims at providing a better understanding of the driving processes and measurement techniques behind the impact of snow- and ice masses on climate change. Total lecture hours: ca. 70 hours. Total exercises hours: ca. 10 hours. Field work: ca. 5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, oral presentation of field report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written field work report Oral exam
Percentage of final grade
20% 80%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - BACHELOR COURSES
AGF-213
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Polar Meteorology and Climate (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester, (August-November/December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 350 pages
sensing; atmospheric chemistry; numerical modelling and weather forecasting; climate processes and climate change. Emphasis will be on the differences between the polar atmosphere and the atmosphere at mid-latitudes and on understanding the physical processes involved. The field component of the course provides an introduction to a number of meteorological observational techniques. Special attention will be paid to exchange processes between the atmosphere and diverse surfaces, local meteorological processes typical of polar regions and the challenges of weather forecasting in the Arctic. The most relevant combination with this course would be AGF-214.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Anna Sjöblom Coulson anna.sjoblom.coulson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/16 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics and geophysical fluid dynamics. Students should have basic knowledge in meteorology equivalent to “Essentials of Meteorology, An Invitation to the Atmosphere” by C. Donald Ahrens.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have knowledge of the physical and dynamical processes in the polar atmosphere. Be able to describe challenges in observing and modelling these processes. Be familiar with terminology, theories and observational techniques used in polar meteorology. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have skills in handling scientific meteorological instruments through hands-on field work. Be able to analyse data from the field work and communicate the corresponding results by written scientific reports and oral presentations. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to evaluate and analyse processes in the polar atmosphere and explain how these differ from those of the mid-latitude.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course covers a variety of themes important for the weather and climate in polar areas: small and local scale meteorology; boundary layer meteorology; turbulence; local wind phenomena such as katabatic and mountain winds; dynamic meteorology; radiation and remote
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. The course is centred on the following learning activities: 1. Classroom lectures providing the students with a solid background in themes and phenomena typical for the weather and climate in polar areas. 2. Seminars and exercise classes where students work on exercises relevant for the topics covered in the classroom lectures. 3. Field work addressing a selection of the phenomena covered in the lectures with a main focus on boundary layer meteorology. The students take an active part in the field work and get hands-on experience with various instrumentation and observational techniques typically used in polar boundary layer research. 4. The field work is followed up by data analysis and report writing by the students. During the report writing, the students receive feedback and guidance from the course responsible(s) and towards the end of the course the students present their final report results. There will also be presentations by the students of scientific articles. Total lecture hours: 65 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Field work: 4 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, presentation of one scientific article. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Graded field report and presentation Written exam
5 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 80%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - BACHELOR COURSES
AGF-214
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COURSE COSTS:
Norwegian, and Barents Seas, and a comparison with the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Convection associated with cooling and freezing of surface water influences the vertical structure of the water masses. The thermobaric effect on the compressibility of seawater has its relevance for determining the deep circulation in the world’s oceans. The small-scale double diffusion also has an impact on convection in regions where the conditions for this process are favourable. The dynamic theory is associated with the circulation and current systems in the different Polar Regions, in particular the Arctic Basin, the Greenland Sea, and the circulation around Antarctica. Essential processes here are the wind-induced circulation, including rotational effects, upwelling and downwelling associated with wind-induced divergence and convergence, and also tidal currents. Frontal dynamics and the topographic impact on current systems are also covered.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
The most relevant combination with this course would be AGF-213.
Polar Ocean Climate (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester, (August-November/December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Eva Falck eva.falck@unis.no
Field work, NOK 1000-1400 (5-7 days x NOK 200 per day) 5/16 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics and geophysical fluid dynamics. It is also recommended that students have a minimum basic knowledge of oceanography corresponding to Chapter 1-6, 8, 9.11 in Pond and Pickard (1983): “Introduction to Dynamical Oceanography”, Pergamon Press, or to similar texts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to describe the different water masses and the currents found in high latitude regions, and explain physical and dynamical processes in the Polar Oceans (Arctic and Antarctic). Understand and be able to demonstrate how these processes influence the property distribution in Arctic fjords. Be able to explain the influence of sea ice on the water masses below and understand some tidal theory and describe tides around Svalbard. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Handle scientific instruments used in oceanography on scientific cruises. Use the computer program MATLAB to process and analyse the scientific data collected during the cruise. Produce scientific reports based on data collected during field work. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to present and discuss scientific results from individual field reports and to compare them to previous studies.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course gives an overview of the water masses and current systems in the Arctic Basin, the Greenland,
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. The learning activities in this course will give the student: • good understanding of physical oceanography in high latitudes through classroom lectures, seminars, exercises, and literature review • the opportunity to learn how oceanographic data are collected, processed, and analysed through participating in a scientific cruise and by doing the processing and analysing of the data after the cruise • knowledge of how to produce a scientific report and how to perform an oral presentation through supervision and feedback on individual assignments. The final assessment will test the students in their understanding of the theory and how they have implemented it in their reports. Total lecture hours: 65 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Field work: 5-7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, field report, oral presentation of report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - BACHELOR COURSES
AGF-216
|
The Stormy Sun and the Northern Lights (5 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (February, evening course), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters; ca. 150 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: PĂĽl Brekke paal.brekke@spacecentre.no UNIS contact person: Fred Sigernes fred.sigernes@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/30 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: This course is open to all enrolled students at UNIS, and to the Longyearbyen public. There is no application process. Students/attendants show up on the first lecture and register on a list. Only UNIS students are allowed to sit the exam.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course will give an historic summary of the sun and the northern lights from ancient myths to early science. A brief introduction to the sun, solar activity, solar storms and modern observations of the sun are also included. How do scientists study the aurora today? The course gives a brief overview of the extensive Norwegian scientific infrastructure used to study the effects from the sun. Furthermore the course will explain how solar induced disturbances, called space weather, affect our society. Numerous attempts have been made over the years to link various aspects of solar variability to changes in the Earth's climate. A brief discussion on natural climate change will be included.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over two week and is centred on the following learning activities: 1. Classroom lectures providing the students with a solid background about the Sun and the Northern lights as well as observing techniques. 2. Field trip to the Kjell Henriksen Observatory to learn about observing techniques and how the observatory is operated. 3. Field trip to SvalSat to better understand how solar and Earth observing satellites operate and how data is distributed to users and space weather centres around the world. Total lecture hours: 16 hours. Total field work/excursion: One evening excursion to the Kjell Henriksen Observatory, one evening excursion to SvalSat.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a basic understanding of the sun, how events on the sun trigger space weather, including the northern lights and the processes in the Earth’s atmosphere. Understand how solar variability may cause climate change and how space weather affects our technology-based society.
At least 80 % attendance at lectures.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Describe features of the Sun and the Sun-Earth connection, features of the Northern lights from myths to modern science and of observing techniques to improve our knowledge. Capture pictures of the aurora. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Understand and reflect around this part of geophysics and to participate in the discussions related to how the Sun affects our society in many ways. Describe modern observing techniques. Use the competence achieved as a building block for other courses.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
3 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
91
92
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOLOGY – PhD COURSES
93
The Aurora Borealis dances over Kongsfjorden. Photo: Jan Sivert Hauglid/UNIS
|
94
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - MASTER COURSES
AGF-301
|
The Upper Polar Atmosphere (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester, (January-May/June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AGF-801 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 450 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Dag A. Lorentzen dag.lorentzen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AGF-301/801 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Describe how the energy from the solar wind is deposited in the Earth’s magnetosphere/ionosphere system, and how this is related to physical processes observable from satellite and ground-based instrumentation. Understand the difference in the type of measurements made by various optical instruments. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Operate several optical instruments located at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO); these instruments include a Meridian Scanning Photometer, Ebert Fastie Spectrometers and All Sky Cameras. Absolute-calibrate optical instrumentation. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Analyse and evaluate space physics data, and relate the outcome to physical processes in the ionosphere. Understand what type of information that can be extracted from different types of optical instrumentation.
and momentum transferred from the solar wind manifest themselves in the upper Polar atmosphere particularly as the aurora, but also in terms of powerful electric currents and wind systems (ion winds as well as winds in the neutral gas). Central elements in this course will be descriptions of the Earth’s magnetic field, the magnetosphere, ionization processes and the formation of the ionosphere. The current system related to the coupling between the magnetosphere and the upper atmosphere/ionosphere, together with the generation and absorption mechanisms for waveforms and transport of electromagnetic energy will be described. Both particle and magneto-hydrodynamic descriptions of space plasma will be presented. Data from instrumentation at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory together with data from other ground-based instruments at different locations as well as satellite data will be used to analyse auroral emissions and current systems in order to understand how solar wind energy interacts with the upper polar atmosphere. Students are recommended to take AGF-301 in parallel with AGF-304.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester and is run in combination with AGF-801. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). The course starts with a combination of lectures and seminars to build a theoretical base. To train skills in operating and calibrating relevant optical instruments, students attend practical classes and perform field work at Kjell Henriksen Observatory during evening hours. Students develop an ability to analyse and evaluate space physics data by producing a project report. The report will thematically be connected to the field work at KHO. Total lecture hours: 65 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Field work: 30 hours.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work and written report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course describes the interactions between the solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere and the consequences of these processes for the ionized region of the upper atmosphere, i.e. the ionosphere. Energy, particles
Time
Percentage of final grade
5 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - MASTER COURSES
AGF-304 |
Radar Diagnostics of Space Plasma (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester, (January-May/June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AGF-804 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Selected chapters from compendia and lecture notes; ca. 300 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Lisa Baddeley lisa.baddeley@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AGF-304/804 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have detailed knowledge of radar techniques employed in the field of space plasma and ionospheric physics research, including radar design, incoherent scatter plasma theory, pulse coding techniques, and signal processing. Understand the methodology by which ionospheric plasma parameters can be derived from an auto-correlation function. Understand mathematical descriptions of plasma density fluctuations and statistical methods utilized in signal analysis. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Operate an incoherent scatter radar independently. Utilise the radar data analysis package (GUISDAP) in analysing multiple data sets. Analyse data and recognise the different analysis techniques used. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Discuss and describe orally the underlying physical principles surrounding incoherent scatter theory, pulse coding and signal analysis techniques. Identify signatures of different ionospheric processes in incoherent scatter radar data. Discussing a scientific case study utilizing multiple data with your peers. Produce a short written report detailing radar analysis techniques.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course will begin by discussing basic ionospheric HF sounding techniques and radar design. Students will be given an introduction to basic plasma physics discussing both
the fluid and kinetic theory approaches before providing a detailed description of the how these fundamental theories are applied to the incoherent scattering processes. Lectures will also focus on the mathematical techniques utilized in the signal analysis process and their applications to I/Q receivers and the resulting autocorrelation function and power density spectrum. A technical description will be given of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) including transmitter, receivers and antenna design. Students will be taught about different radar measurement techniques including simple and coded pulse methodology, pulse decoding processes and lag profile matrixes. A series of interactive seminars and lectures will be used to familiarise students to the scientific interpretation of incoherent radar data and how to combine it with other datasets such as optical and satellite data. Students will be introduced to the ESR experimental modes and taught how to run the ESR. They must design their own radar experiment (the data from which will form the basis of their project report) which they will be responsible for running during the field work. Students will be taught how to use the MATLAB data analysis program GUISDAP (Grand Unified Incoherent Scatter Design and Analysis Package), which is used to process the EISCAT radar measurements. Students are recommended to take AGF-304 in parallel with AGF-301.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester and is run in combination with AGF-804. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). The main learning activities of the course are: • Lectures detailing the fundamental physical and mathematical techniques utilized in incoherent scatter radar theory including pulse coding and signal processing • Interactive seminars focusing on data interpretation • Data analysis techniques utilizing MATLAB and the GUISDAP analysis program • 5 days field work at the EISCAT Svalbard Radar where students will be expected to operate the radar using the radar control software • Produce a written report based upon analysis techniques. Total lecture hours: 60 hours Total seminar and exercises hours: 16 hours. Total computer lab hours: 16 hours Field work at EISCAT Svalbard Radar: 5 days
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work and written report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
95
96
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - MASTER COURSES
AGF-311
|
Air-Ice-Sea Interaction II (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester, (September-November), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AGF-811 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Frank Nilsen frank.nilsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000-1400 (5-7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AGF-311/811 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Strong mathematical background, knowledge in Air-Sea-Ice interaction corresponding to AGF-211 and be able to analyse and present data in e.g. Matlab. Experience with numerical modelling is an advantage.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a detailed knowledge of (1) processes controlling the sea ice cover in the Marginal Ice Zone (air-ocean), (2) thermodynamic- and mechanical ice growth, and (3) boundary layer theories. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to analyse and calculate thermodynamic- and mechanical ice growth in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) and to analyse data collected during air-ice-sea campaigns. Be able to classify boundary layers above and below sea ice and apply turbulence theory in order to calculate the turbulent heat- and salt fluxes in the water column. Have acquired skills in developing a model for sea ice growth and water mass transformation and how to calibrate the model using field data. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be familiar with Arctic marine field work operations. Be able to handle oceanographic instruments in the field, processing the data, writing a scientific report and presenting the results in public. Be able to discuss and defend the scientific results from individual field reports.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course describes processes involved in air-sea exchange of heat and momentum at high latitudes. This includes deep convection and mechanisms for breaking down vertical stratification in the ocean. Production of dense water by cooling or ice freezing at the surface is studied with examples from case studies in the Svalbard area. Surface buoyancy fluxes and wind-stirring are described as agents for eroding the base of the mixed layer, whereas tides and internal waves interacting with topography, double diffusion and thermobaricity are considered in the discussion of deep mixing. Standard oceanographic and boundary layer observations are supplemented with detailed measurements of turbulence structure and turbulent fluxes in weakly stratified fluid layers. The results of the analyzed field observations will be compared with numeric models, which will be set up for the actual region. Model experiments will be conducted with coupled models, including ice. The field work will be conducted by an ice-going research vessel.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5-6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AGF-811. The effective learning of air-ice-sea interaction II has three essential components: 1. Building a knowledge base through classroom lectures, seminars, and laboratory experiments. 2. Field work, where the students engage in research case studies using their knowledge base and theoretical models in the real world. Students are supervised in using different instruments and measuring techniques, and work in cooperative learning groups. 3. Writing reports, where the analysis of data is tested against theoretical model, and vice versa. Reports are written under supervision, where feedback and formative / peer assessments are given. The final examination is oral where we focus on the understanding of the physical processes studied in the course. The students are allowed to defend their report and discuss it in a larger context, connecting it to other students’ reports as well as theory. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total seminar hours: 10 hours. Field exercises: 5-7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, field report and presentation of field report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - MASTER COURSES
AGF-312
|
Remote sensing of the cryosphere (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester, (March-April), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AGF-811 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Published articles, book chapters, online material COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Adrian Luckman a.luckman@swansea.ac.uk UNIS contact person: Frank Nilsen frank.nilsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: An advanced knowledge of the purpose of remote sensing and its scope in measuring and monitoring sea-ice, snow cover, glaciers and ice-sheets. A thorough understanding of the academic applications of remote sensing applied to elements of the cryosphere and know the advantages and limitations of these techniques over other forms of data collection. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Interpret and analyse by computer a wide range of remote sensing data from various parts of the cryosphere. Acquire satellite image data from online archives and extract geophysical information from them. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to acquire new information from remotely sensed data for a range of applications in the cryosphere, place these information in their proper context, and communicate the findings by written and oral means, including the diagrammatic presentation of geospatial data. Have gained awareness and appreciation of current research issues in remote sensing of the cryosphere.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course provides a thorough grounding in the method of remote sensing and explains in detail the application of remote sensing to the measurement and monitoring of sea-ice, snow cover, glaciers, and ice-sheets. Remote
sensing, especially by satellite, plays an ever increasing role in the gathering of geophysical data in a world subject to climate change. By virtue of its relative size and inaccessibility, understanding change in the cryosphere is particularly dependent on data collection by remote sensing. The course will provide a theoretical understanding of the use of electromagnetic energy to sense elements of the cryosphere, a thorough training in the interpretation and processing of satellite images in a computer environment, and a detailed expert account of the role of remote sensing in understanding the significant and wide-ranging changes occurring in the cryosphere today..
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training. The effective learning of remote sensing has three essential components: 1. General background and theory in physical principles of electromagnetic radiation, satellite operation, instrumentation design and image processing 2. Practical experience in exploring and analysing remotely-sensed images and, where possible, relating them to the field experience 3. Detailed explanation of application-specific concepts and methods, and key findings from contemporary research These components will be delivered through four weeks of thematic teaching including both field excursions and computer-lab practical sessions. The students must in addition prepare a project assignment (3000 words plus key remote sensing-based figures) which will assess skills in: • Research of a suitable topic, selection of aims and objectives, creativity and innovation • Data selection, management and image analysis. Relating findings to the research context in journal articles. • Presentation skills, especially in images and image products • Academic writing. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total computer practical hours: 48 Total seminar hours: 8 hours. Field excursions: 4-5 days
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Computer-lab practical sessions and student-led seminars. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written project report Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
97
98
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - MASTER COURSES
AGF-345 |
Polar Magnetospheric Substorms (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester, (November-December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AGF-845 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Selected chapters from compendia and lecture notes; ca. 300 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Stein H책land stein.haaland@issi.unibe.ch UNIS contact person: Lisa Baddeley lisa.baddeley@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/16 students (AGF-345/845 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. General knowledge of basic plasma physics and/or electrodynamics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to describe what a polar magnetospheric substorm is, know the most important processes involved, know the fundamental models and be familiar with the terminology used in discussing polar magnetospheric substorms. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to analyse data from a suite of ground and space instruments and use this data to identify processes, determine the sequence of events and to be able to estimate the energy budget of a substorm. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to perform an independent investigation of a substorm and present the result of this investigation in the form of a written report.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course gives an overview of polar magnetospheric substorms, the primary process responsible for large-scale auroral breakups. A substorm is a transient event where a large amount of energy is deposited in the high-latitude
ionosphere. On the ground, this is typically manifested in the form of intense aurora. This course provides a historical overview of substorm research and introduces the terminology and models that are used to explain the phenomenon. Key elements in the chain of interactions that constitute a substorm are discussed. Covered topics include solar wind - magnetosphere coupling, magnetic reconnection, energy accumulation and storage, energy release and introduction to plasma instabilities that are thought to be responsible for the triggering of substorms. Also discussed are the energy budget and ionospheric effects of substorms. The course consists of a combination of lectures, exercises, field work and project work. Measurements obtained at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory and/or EISCAT form the basis of a written report.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AGF-845. Three essential components ensure effective learning: 1. Focussed lectures given by specialists in their fields. 2. Solving exercises related to the lectures. Students prepare and present solutions to these exercises. 3. Field work at the Kjell Henriksen where students are introduced to instrumentation used for substorm research. Based on the field work, the students will have approximately 10 days to prepare a project report which will assess the student's skills in project management, data analysis and science writing. Total lecture hours: 30-40 hours. Total exercises: 10-15 hours. Field work at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory and/or EISCAT Svalbard Radar: 2 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written report Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - MASTER COURSES
AGF-352
|
Chemical oceanography in the Arctic (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (March-April or April-May), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
their variability. Main focus will be on the cycling of inorganic carbon, methane, oxygen, and nutrients. The role of sea ice in influencing fluxes of climate relevant gases and the effect of ice freezing and melting on chemical constituents in the ice and in the water column below is an essential part of the course.
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AGF-852 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Eva Falck eva.falck@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000-1400 (5-7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/16 students (AGF-352/852 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a master programme in chemical oceanography, or a similar programme if the student has previous coursework in marine chemistry and oceanography.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to recognise the major marine chemical processes and their coupling with physical and biological processes in an Arctic environment. Have the ability to explain chemical processes in sea ice and the role sea ice may play in gas exchange. Demonstrate excellent knowledge of the marine carbon cycle in the Arctic Ocean and how it may respond to future climatic changes. Understand the fate and effects of increased CO2 in the ocean (ocean acidification). Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Know how to handle scientific instruments and apply field techniques used in chemical oceanography. Be able to collect, analyse and interpret marine chemical data and to produce a scientific report. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to present, discuss, and defend scientific results.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course describes the distribution of chemical constituents in the Arctic and the processes that control
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AGF-852. Lab- and field work experiments are an integrated part of the course and methodology, experimental design, lab and chemical safety issues will be covered. During field work the students will learn how to sample and use different scientific equipment, both on board a research vessel and on sea ice. The field work will be conducted by an ice-going research vessel. Each student will carry out an independent research project based on scientific data collected in the field or in the lab. This will give the students practical experience in analysing chemical data, how to interpret the findings and discuss them based on the theory presented during lecture hours. The results must be presented orally to an audience and in a written scientific report. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Total lab hours: 6 hours. Field work: 5-7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, field report, and presentation of report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
99
100
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - PhD COURSES
AGF-801
|
The Upper Polar Atmosphere (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (May/June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AGF-301 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 500 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Dag A. Lorentzen dag.lorentzen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AGF-301/801 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
the ionosphere. Energy, particles and momentum transferred from the solar wind manifest themselves in the upper Polar atmosphere particularly as the aurora, but also in terms of powerful electric currents and wind systems (ion winds as well as winds in the neutral gas). Central elements in this course will be descriptions of the Earth’s magnetic field, the magnetosphere, ionization processes and the formation of the ionosphere. The current system related to the coupling between the magnetosphere and the upper atmosphere/ionosphere, together with the generation and absorption mechanisms for waveforms and transport of electromagnetic energy will be described. Both particle and magneto-hydrodynamic descriptions of space plasma will be presented. Data from instrumentation at KHO together with data from other ground-based instruments at different locations as well as satellite data will be used to analyse auroral emissions and current systems in order to understand how solar wind energy interacts with the upper polar atmosphere. The project report will be set in connection with field work at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO). Students are recommended to take AGF-801 in parallel with AGF-804.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course extends over a full semester and is run in combination with AGF-301. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101).
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Describe how the energy from the solar wind is deposited in the Earth’s magnetosphere/ionosphere system, and how this is related to physical processes observable from satellite and ground-based instrumentation. Understand the difference in the type of measurements made by various optical instruments.
The course starts with a combination of lectures and seminars to build a theoretical base. To train skills in operating and calibrating relevant optical instruments, students attend practical classes and perform field work at Kjell Henriksen Observatory during evening hours. Students develop an ability to analyse and evaluate space physics data by producing a project report. The report will thematically be connected to the field work at KHO.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Operate several optical instruments located at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO), analyse this data, and put the data in context with other ground-based and spacebased measurements; these instruments include a Meridian Scanning Photometer, Ebert Fastie Spectrometers and All Sky Cameras. Absolute-calibrate optical instrumentation.
Total lecture hours: 65 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Field work: 30 hours.
Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme.
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Evaluate and analyse space physics data, and relate the outcome to physical processes in the ionosphere. Combine the data sets, and relate the outcome to physical processes in the ionosphere, as well as presenting the results orally to one’s peers. Understand what type of information that can be extracted from different types of optical instrumentation.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, written report and presentation of one scientific article. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
5 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course describes the interactions between the solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere and the consequences of these processes for the ionized region of the upper atmosphere, i.e.
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - PhD COURSES
AGF-804 |
Radar Diagnostics of Space Plasma (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester, (May/June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AGF-304 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Selected chapters from compendia and lecture notes; ca. 400 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Lisa Baddeley lisa.baddeley@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AGF-304/804 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
a detailed description of the how these fundamental theories are applied to the incoherent scattering processes. Lectures will also focus on the mathematical techniques utilized in the signal analysis process and their applications to I/Q receivers and the resulting autocorrelation function and power density spectrum. A technical description will be given of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) including transmitter, receivers and antenna design. Students will be taught about different radar measurement techniques including simple and coded pulse methodology, pulse decoding processes and lag profile matrixes. A series of interactive seminars and lectures will be used to familiarise students to the scientific interpretation of incoherent radar data and how to combine it with other datasets such as optical and satellite data. Students will be introduced to the ESR experimental modes and taught how to run the ESR. They must design their own radar experiment (the data from which will form the basis of their project report) which they will be responsible for running during the field work. Students will be taught how to use the MATLAB data analysis program GUISDAP (Grand Unified Incoherent Scatter Design and Analysis Package), which is used to process the EISCAT radar measurements. The students will be required to give an oral presentation detailing the results of the field work experiments and providing a scientific interpretation of the data in the context of ionospheric plasma processes.
Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme.
Students are recommended to take AGF-804 in parallel with AGF-801.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have detailed knowledge of radar techniques employed in the field of space plasma and ionospheric physics research, including radar design, incoherent scatter plasma theory, pulse coding techniques, and signal processing. Understand the methodology by which ionospheric plasma parameters can be derived from an auto-correlation function. Understand mathematical descriptions of plasma density fluctuations and statistical methods utilized in signal analysis.
The course extends over a full semester and is run in combination with AGF-304. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101).
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Operate an incoherent scatter radar independently. Utilise the radar data analysis package (GUISDAP) in analysing multiple data sets. Analyse data and recognise the different analysis techniques employed and know the advantages and limitations of them. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Discuss and describe orally the underlying physical principles surrounding incoherent scatter theory, pulse coding and signal analysis techniques. Apply scientific reasoning to interpret typical features that are observed in incoherent scatter radar data. Provide a scientific argument to support your experimental research and present your results, in combination with other datasets, orally to one’s peers. Produce a short written report detailing radar analysis techniques.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course will begin by discussing basic ionospheric HF sounding techniques and radar design .Students will be given an introduction to basic plasma physics discussing both the fluid and kinetic theory approaches before providing
The main learning activities of the course are: • Lectures detailing the fundamental physical and mathematical techniques utilized in incoherent scatter radar theory including pulse coding and signal processing • Interactive seminars focusing on data interpretation • Data analysis techniques utilizing MATLAB and the GUISDAP analysis program • 5 days field work at the EISCAT Svalbard Radar where students will be expected to operate the radar using the radar control software • Produce a written report based upon analysis techniques Total lecture hours: 60 hours Total seminar and exercises hours: 16 hours. Total computer lab hours: 16 hours Field work at EISCAT Svalbard Radar: 5 days
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work, written report and oral presentation to peers All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
101
102
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - PhD COURSES
AGF-811
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Air-Ice-Sea Interaction II (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester, (September-November), every second year LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AGF-811 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 350 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Frank Nilsen frank.nilsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000-1400 (5-7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AGF-311/811 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Strong mathematical background, knowledge in Air-Sea-Ice interaction corresponding to AGF-211 and be able to analyse and present data in e.g. Matlab. Experience with numerical modelling is an advantage.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have an advanced knowledge of (1) processes controlling the sea ice cover in the Marginal Ice Zone (air-ocean), (2) thermodynamic- and mechanical ice growth, and (3) boundary layer theories. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to analyse and calculate thermodynamic- and mechanical ice growth in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) and to analyse data collected during air-ice-sea campaigns. Be able to classify boundary layers above and below sea ice and apply turbulence theory in order to calculate the turbulent heat- and salt fluxes in the water column. Have acquired skills in developing a model for sea ice growth and water mass transformation and how to calibrate the model using field data. Competence; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be familiar with Arctic marine field work operations. Be able to handle oceanographic instruments in the field, processing the data, writing a scientific report and presenting the results in public. Be able to discuss and defend the scientific results from individual field reports.
deep convection and mechanisms for breaking down vertical stratification in the ocean. Production of dense water by cooling or ice freezing at the surface is studied with examples from case studies in the Svalbard area. Surface buoyancy fluxes and wind-stirring are described as agents for eroding the base of the mixed layer, whereas tides and internal waves interacting with topography, double diffusion and thermobaricity are considered in the discussion of deep mixing. Standard oceanographic and boundary layer observations are supplemented with detailed measurements of turbulence structure and turbulent fluxes in weakly stratified fluid layers. The results of the analyzed field observations will be compared with numeric models, which will be set up for the actual region. Model experiments will be conducted with coupled models, including ice. The field work will be conducted by an ice-going research vessel.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5-6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AGF-311. The effective learning of air-ice-sea interaction II has three essential components: 1. Building a knowledge base through classroom lectures, seminars, and laboratory experiments. 2. Field work, where the students engage in research case studies using their knowledge base and theoretical models in the real world. Students are supervised in using different instruments and measuring techniques, and work in cooperative learning groups. 3. Writing reports, where the analysis of data is tested against theoretical model, and vice versa. Reports are written under supervision, where feedback and formative / peer assessments are given. The final examination is oral where we focus on the understanding of the physical processes studied in the course. The students are allowed to defend their report and discuss it in a larger context, connecting it to other students’ reports as well as theory. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total seminar hours: 10 hours. Field exercises: 5-7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The students must produce a scientific article manuscript suitable for publication in scientific journal and present and discuss the results in class. The students must also hold a seminar based on a scientific paper listed in the course syllabus. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course describes processes involved in air-sea exchange of heat and momentum at high latitudes. This includes
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - PhD COURSES
AGF-845 |
Polar Magnetospheric Substorms (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Autumn semester, (November/December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AGF-345 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Selected chapters from compendia and lecture notes; ca. 400 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Stein H책land stein.haaland@issi.unibe.ch UNIS contact person: Lisa Baddeley lisa.baddeley@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/16 students (AGF-345/845 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. General knowledge of basic plasma physics and/or electrodynamics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to describe what a polar magnetospheric substorm is, know the most important processes involved, know the fundamental models and be familiar with the terminology used in discussing polar magnetospheric substorms. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to analyse data from a suite of ground and space instruments and use this data to identify processes, determine the sequence of events and to be able to estimate the energy budget of a substorm. Competence; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to perform an independent investigation of a substorm and present the result of this investigation in the form of a written report.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: This course gives an overview of polar magnetospheric substorms, the primary process responsible for large-scale auroral breakups. A substorm is a transient event where a large amount of energy is deposited in the high-latitude ionosphere. On the ground, this is typically manifested in the form of intense aurora. This course provides a
historical overview of substorm research and introduces the terminology and models that are used to explain the phenomenon. Key elements in the chain of interactions that constitute a substorm are discussed. Covered topics include solar wind - magnetosphere coupling, magnetic reconnection, energy accumulation and storage, energy release and introduction to plasma instabilities that are thought to be responsible for the triggering of substorms. Also discussed are the energy budget and ionospheric effects of substorms. The course consists of a combination of lectures, exercises, field work and project work. Measurements obtained at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory and/or EISCAT form the basis of a written report.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AGF-345. Four essential components ensure effective learning: 1. Focussed lectures given by specialists in their fields. 2. Solving exercises related to the lectures. Students prepare and present solutions to these exercises. 3. Field work at the Kjell Henriksen where students are introduced to instrumentation used for substorm research. 3. Prepare and present a seminar on recent updates in substorm research. Based on the field work, the students will have approximately 10 days to prepare a project report which will assess the student's skills in project management, data analysis and science writing. Total lecture hours: 30-40 hours. Total exercises: 10-15 hours. Field work at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory and/or EISCAT Svalbard Radar: 2 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written report Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
103
104
UNIS | ARCTIC GEOPHYSICS - PhD COURSES
AGF-852 |
Chemical oceanography in the Arctic (10 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester (March-April or April-May), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AGF-352 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F)
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course describes the distribution of chemical constituents in the Arctic and the processes that control their variability. Main focus will be on the cycling of inorganic carbon, methane, oxygen, and nutrients. The role of sea ice in influencing fluxes of climate relevant gases and the effect of ice freezing and melting on chemical constituents in the ice and in the water column below is an essential part of the course.
COURSE MATERIALS:
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AGF-352.
Book chapters, articles, compendia; ca. 350 pages Eva Falck eva.falck@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000-1400 (5-7 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/16 students (AGF-352/852 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme, preferably chemical oceanography. Previous coursework in marine chemistry and oceanography.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to recognise the major marine chemical processes and their coupling with physical and biological processes in an Arctic environment. Have the ability to explain chemical processes in sea ice and the role sea ice may play in gas exchange. Demonstrate excellent knowledge of the marine carbon cycle in the Arctic Ocean and how it may respond to future climatic changes. Understand the fate and effects of increased CO2 in the ocean (ocean acidification). Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to set up lab and field experiments, analyse and interpret marine chemical data, and produce a scientific article. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to present, discuss, and defend scientific results. Conduct academic leadership by arranging and participating in seminars for master students.
Lab- and field work experiments are an integrated part of the course and methodology, experimental design, lab and chemical safety issues will be covered. During field work the students will learn how to sample and use different scientific equipment, both on board a research vessel and on sea ice. The field work will be conducted by an ice-going research vessel. Each student will carry out an independent research project based on scientific data collected in the field or in the lab. This will give the student practical experience in lab and field work, in analysing chemical data, interpreting the findings and discussing them both orally and in writing. Based on the individual research project, the student will produce a scientific article manuscript suitable for publication in scientific journals and present and discuss the results in class. The students will arrange a seminar for the master students in AGF-352, where they will present and discuss scientific papers listed in the course syllabus. Each student will know in advance which paper to present and should have the presentation ready before the course starts. Pre-course preparations: 1-2 days. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total seminar hours: 20 hours. Total lab hours: 6 hours. Field work: 5-7 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Lab and field work, written manuscript, oral presentations. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Oral exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
105
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AGF-213 students logging data from a weather station in Adventdalen. Photo: Tor de Lange/UNIS
106
Arctic technology students sampling an ice core. Photo: Lucie Strub-Klein/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY
ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY The AT courses offered at UNIS is especially designed for today’s Arctic technology challenges including priority aspects of climate change, as the courses have the advantage of being taught in an Arctic environment where this type of technology has been applied for many decades. At UNIS students conduct field activities implemented in actual research projects. More information about Arctic technology at UNIS can be found at the technology webpage: www.unis.no/studies/technology
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THERE ARE TWO MAIN FIELDS WITHIN THE AT DEPARTMENT: Arctic Engineering:
Arctic Environmental Technology:
Knowledge of Arctic engineering technology is essential to provide sound design and construction recommendations both offshore and onshore in the Arctic. UNIS students can participate in infrastructure projects on Svalbard, as well as field studies of sea-ice properties in the adjacent seas. Studies on avalanches and slides in the mountains of Svalbard are integrated into the Arctic Technology course portfolio. Field investigations, together with laboratory testing and numerical analysis create the basis for understanding thermo-mechanical properties and processes in snow, permafrost and ice. At UNIS students will have an excellent opportunity to investigate, design and perform mitigation measures for infrastructures under a changing climate.
Present levels of pollutants, degradation processes, spreading mechanisms and environmental effects need to be well understood when designing efficient response strategies with the aim to reduce the environmental impacts. The department is specialized in various topics in environmental pollution, such as toxicology, fate and long-range transport of persistent organic pollutants and environmental risk assessment and modelling.
BACHELOR COURSE COMBINATIONS:
1) AT-205 & AT-211 2) AT-205 & AT-212
MASTER/PHD COURSE COMBINATIONS:
BACHELOR COURSE COMBINATIONS:
MASTER/PHD COURSE COMBINATIONS:
1) AT-301/801 & AT-327/827 & AT-332/832 2) AT-301/801 & AT-314/814
AT-209* & AT-210*
1) AT-331/831 & AT-324/824 2) AT-331/831 & AT-330/830
*) = Interdisciplinary courses
107
108
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
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AT-205
Frozen Ground Engineering for Arctic Infrastructures (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (January-June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English
Competence; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight in and be able to discuss engineering approaches for construction of infrastructure in the Arctic used for society in general (structures and construction for settlements, avalanche protection), and for industry in particular (foundations for heavy structures, artificial ground freezing, coastal protection).
CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Books: Andersland O. B. and B. Ladanyi (2004): “Frozen Ground Engineering”. McClung D. and P. Schaerer (2006): “The Avalanche Handbook”. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics, mechanics or chemistry. Knowledge in soil mechanics is an advantage.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Know about distribution of various permafrost conditions on the Earth, understand cryogenic geological processes shaping general terrain features in cold regions. Know physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of frozen soils. Know types of foundations for infrastructure in the Arctic, approaches for construction and calculation methods for foundations. Have insight in key topics of modern development in the Arctic: construction of pipe lines, coastal erosion processes, and coastal protection. Know about avalanche phenomena, mechanics of avalanche release and protective structures. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Carry out laboratory testing of frozen soils for obtaining parameters of mechanical and physical properties of frozen soils used in engineering practice for design of structures in cold regions. Carry out field investigations of snow with focus on assessment of avalanche risk. Apply finite element codes for calculation of thermal regime in frozen soils. Write and present research reports.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Planning of infrastructure and engineering structures in the Arctic is particularly challenging because of the technical constraints imposed by environmental characteristics such as low temperature, permafrost, winter darkness, isolation and high cost of construction and operation. Specific topics: • Introduction in engineering challenges in the Arctic • Permafrost and geocryogenic geological processes • Coastal problems in the Arctic • Thermal and mechanical behaviour of frozen ground • Laboratory investigations of frozen soils • Geotechnical survey methods in the Arctic for soil investigation. • Approaches for foundation design of infrastructures as buildings, roads, pipelines etc. in permafrost areas • Determination of soil parameters necessary for design of foundation for infrastructures. • Methods in Slope stability investigations • General information about avalanches: types, release mechanisms, snow stability evaluation methods, avalanche protection • Field investigations of snow for examination of avalanche risk
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). Learning activities consist of lectures, seminars, excursion, field work for sampling of frozen samples with subsequent laboratory work, and field work devoted to snow investigations. Field and laboratory work will be performed in small groups, to train team work skills. Through lectures students will be introduced to the academic content of the course. Lectures are supplemented with assignments mainly taken from “Frozen Ground Engineering” (2004). Assignments have to be submitted in written form and will be evaluated. During the field excursion the students will investigate different foundation of constructions presented in Longyearbyen. Field work will consist of: (1) soil sampling from permafrost areas, using industrial drilling rid, and subsequent analyses and tests of samples in geotechnical and cold laboratories.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
Soil parameters needed for design of foundations and for characterization of soil conditions will be obtained; (2) snow investigations on a slope within Longyearbyen area. The students will dig a snow peat, and investigate snow profile in order to obtain physical and mechanical properties of snow, and perform basic tests for evaluation of stability of the slope.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Each student group must write one joint field- and laboratory report on soil sampling, and one joint field work report on snow investigations. In addition all students must write one personal report on a chosen subject. During seminars students will present and discuss results of field and laboratory investigations on frozen soil and snow, and also the personal report on the chosen subject.
ASSESSMENT:
Lectures and seminars: 60 hours. Laboratory work: 4 days. Excursion / field work: 3 days.
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AT-205 students testing snow stability in Longyearbyen. Photo: Jan Otto Larsen/UNIS
Seminars, assignments, laboratory work and field work. One written field and lab work report on soil sampling, one field work report on snow investigations. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Method
Time
Written report on chosen subject Written exam
5 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 80%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
109
110
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
AT-209
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Arctic Hydrology and Climate Change (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August-December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Ca.600 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Nils Roar Sælthun n.r.salthun@geo.uio.no UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000 (5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The course is interdisciplinary. Students must meet the prerequisites for UNIS bachelor studies in biology, geology, geophysics or technology. A minimum of 7,5 ECTS mathematics is required.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand the hydrological cycle and the general processes and storages involved, including the importance of phase changes, mass conservation and energy balance. Know the catchment basics - its delineation and functioning as a system. Further, understand the specifics of the arctic catchment: Permafrost, snow and ice, and glaciers. Have insight in erosion processes and sediment transport in the arctic environment. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Make runoff measurements, basic glacier mass balance investigations and snow taxations. Carry out laboratory measurements of sediment concentration and composition. Apply hydrological catchment models for simulations of runoff and mass balance changes. Write and present research reports. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight in and be able to discuss the impacts of climate change on the Arctic environment through the effects on the hydrological cycle. Have insight in the functioning of hydrological models, and the use of them and other hydrological approaches in technological applications. Have gained experience in field work in harsh environments.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Although the teaching in the course is focused on the understanding of the hydrological processes, it has a holistic approach to the concepts of the hydrological cycle and the hydrological systems of the Arctic, which is essential for the understanding of the potential impacts of climate change. Specific topics: • Climate and hydrology of the Arctic. • Hydrometeorological measurements and observations. • The Arctic catchment • Permafrost hydrology; river and lake ice. • Snow processes • Glaciers and glacier hydrology. • Erosion and sediment transport.. • Hydrological models. • Climate change impacts on the hydrological cycle with focus on the Arctic. • Technological applications in the Arctic environment.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. The general structure of the course is an introductory part consisting of lectures on central elements of hydrology in general, and the specifics of hydrology and climate change in the Arctic. This part is followed by a five days field course. During the field course the students will work with practical measurements. They will experience work in Artic conditions, learn field observations and methodology, and collect data for their research projects. The remainder of the course addresses major themes in Arctic hydrology and climate change through sequences of lectures on theory and applications, field and laboratory work, and seminars/exercises. The students will also gain academic knowledge, skills and gain general competences through project teamwork on field related research activities, writing reports and presentation. Total lecture hours: 60 hours. Exercises/lab work: 30 hours. Field work: 5+2 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Exercises, laboratory work and field work, project work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Research report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 80%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
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AT-210
Arctic Environmental Pollution (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August-December), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AT-207 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Books, articles, compendia; Ca. 700 pages COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Mark Hermanson mark.hermanson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: The course is interdisciplinary. Students must meet the prerequisites for UNIS bachelor studies in biology, geology, geophysics or technology. A minimum of 7,5 ECTS general chemistry, biochemistry or geochemistry is required.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand that the Arctic is contaminated by pollutants from local and long-distant sources; know what types of contaminants are found and why, and understand how global regulations and policies on contaminants have affected their appearance in the Arctic and elsewhere. Know the definitions of persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity in reference to contaminants found in the Arctic environment. Know basic toxicological processes in humans and wildlife resulting from exposure to toxic substances in the environment, particularly in the Arctic. Understand that the Arctic in general and Svalbard in particular are likely to be different places than often characterized (as pristine) because of industrialization, transportation, pollution.
processes operate differently in the Arctic, and how those processes are related to the appearance of pollutants.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: While the Arctic is remote from most industrial activity, some areas are highly polluted. Point sources of pollution in the Arctic are associated with industrial or military sites. Long-distance transport through atmosphere or ocean delivers non-point or diffuse pollutants; these sources and processes are less understood. The unusual combinations of Arctic ambient conditions (long periods of darkness, cold, dry air, strong wind, ice cover, permafrost) affects the distributions to and lifetimes of pollutants in the Arctic. These features affect the impacts of pollutants on wildlife and Native communities in the Arctic. Students will also learn that research on Arctic pollution can influence public policy decisions requiring that scientists acquire effective communication skills with the public. Specific topics: 1) On-site pollution on Svalbard. 2) Point and non-point pollution sources in general and in the Arctic. 3) Radioactive pollution in the Arctic from local and long-distance sources. 4) Trace metal pollution in the Arctic (particularly mercury). 5) Pollution in the Arctic by synthetic organic compounds. 6) Decomposition processes in the Arctic atmosphere (oxidation, photolysis) and the role of UV energy. 7) Movement of pollutants through the atmosphere to the Arctic. 8) Pollutant movement through the Arctic food chain; metabolism, retention, excretion. 9) Health effects of Arctic pollutants on humans and wildlife. 10) Air pollution effects on polar stratospheric ozone depletion. 11) Science communication with policy-makers and the public (development of the Montreal Protocol, Stockholm Convention, Chemical Weapons Treaty).
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend two days of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training. Total lecture hours: 60 hours Total seminar hours: Ca. 15 hours Local field & lab work, excursions: 1 day
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Laboratory work, field work.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Competence in application of the general linear model in statistics. Skills in operating active air sampling equipment used in the field, treating samples in the laboratory, and handling statistical interpretations of data. Skills in operating field instruments for UV-A and UV-B energy deposition, data collection and interpretation associated with these instruments.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to discuss the impacts of human activity on contamination and preservation of the Arctic. Awareness of human impacts on the natural environment in general. Present basic understanding of how physical-chemical
Two written mid-term exams
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Percentage of final grade
2 hours (each)
50% 20% 30%
A 5000-word manuscript
Written exam (incl. take home part)
4 hours
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
111
112
AT-209 students on excursion in Kapp Linné. Photo: Nils Roar Sælthun/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
AT-211
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Ice Mechanics, Loads on Structures and Instrumentation (15 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (January-June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
15 ECTS with AT-208 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Books: Irgens, F. (2008): “Continuum mechanics”. G. Ashton (1986): “River and lake ice engineering”. Sanderson, T.J.O. (1988): “Ice mechanics. Risk to offshore structures”. Løset et al. (2006): “Actions from ice on Arctic offshore and coastal structures”. Scientific papers (provided). COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Aleksey Marchenko aleksey.marchenko@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 2400 (12 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course introduces students to problems of ice mechanics and gives experience to work with modern scientific equipment in laboratory and field conditions. The course includes lectures about basic concepts of continuum mechanics (strain, stresses, equations describing mass, formulations of momentum and energy balance), basic model of continuum mechanics (ideal and viscous fluids, elastic and viscous materials, plastic and viscouselastic materials, granular materials) and methods of continuum mechanics used for the modelling of thermo-mechanical behaviour of saline and fresh ice itself and ice interactions with engineering structures (rheological models with thermal forcing, conceptions of compressive, tensile and flexural strength, bending deformations of floating ice, models of ice ridging and piling up). The course includes lectures about ISO design standards for the calculation of ice loads on offshore structures. The course includes laboratory work in UNIS cold laboratory and field work on land fast ice. Lectures about the instrumentation organized before the field works introduce students to the equipment used for the measurements of thermo-mechanical characteristics and strength of fresh and saline ice, ice thickness measurements by electro-magnetic and acoustic methods, high frequency measurements of water temperature and sea current velocities used for the calculation of turbulent heat fluxes to the ice surfaces, measurements of internal stresses and displacements of the ice.
60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics, mechanics or chemistry, of which at least 40 ECTS within mathematics, physics or mechanics.
During field work the students have the possibility to observe sea ice motions and deformations created by tides, wind and sea currents, observe ice actions on coastal structures and ship. They also will gain experience in working with scientific equipment in Arctic conditions. Finally, the students should be able to formulate models and do numerical simulations of sea ice behaviour and ice-structure interactions and perform field and laboratory tests used for the design of offshore and coastal structures in the Arctic.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Know and understand basic physical-mathematical models describing sea ice growth, rheological properties of fresh and saline ice, bending deformations of the ice, build-up and consolidation of ice ridges and ice piles near offshore structures. Have basic knowledge of ISO design standards for the calculation of ice loads on offshore structures. Have an overview of standard and modern instrumentation used in field and laboratory studies of ice properties and energy fluxes to the surfaces of floating ice.
The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101).
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to use ISO design standards for the calculation of ice loads on offshore structures. Experience in working with standard and modern instrumentation used in field and laboratory studies of ice properties and energy fluxes to the surfaces of floating ice. Be able to perform standard measurements of ice strength, stresses, displacements and deformations, and measurements of hydrological characteristics of ice covered waters followed by storing and interpreting of data gained. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have Arctic survival and safety experience from field work on land and sea during winter/ice season. Be able to conduct research work, independently and in groups, in a cold laboratory and in the field. Have competence in preparing reports and presenting results in seminars.
Seminars include exercises with mathematical formulations and solutions of problems within lecture topics, performing of results of field and laboratory work and exercises for exam preparation. See “Academic content” for a further description of learning activities. Total lecture and seminar hours: 50 hours. Laboratory work: 1 week. Field work on the land fast ice: 4 days. Boat excursion: 8 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars, laboratory work and field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
One written laboratory report Two written field work reports Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 20% + 20% 40%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
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AT-212
Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology (15 ECTS)
COURSE OFFERED:
Spring semester, (January-June), yearly
practices. Drive a project in rock or mining related engineering. Write and present a project report.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: •
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None
• •
GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters and articles, ca. 600 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Zongxian Zhang zongxian.zhang@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
• • • • • • • • • •
This is a basic and comprehensive course on rock mechanics. The course covers: rock strengths with tests main factors influencing rock and rock mass behaviour, such as water, temperature, confining pressure, and loading rate/speed rock mass classification In situ stresses Stress analysis Test and instrumentation in rock mechanics Basic stress wave theory and its application in rock engineering such as drilling, blasting and piling Slope instability Tunnelling Rock support theory and design principles Introduction to rock drilling and blasting Rock fracture and instability in rock engineering and mining Caving and subsidence Rock mechanics and coal mining in Svalbard Geological characteristics of coal mining in Svalbard Field work in mining areas in Svalbard Seminars on case studies and presentations
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
• • • • •
60 ECTS within the fields of mathematics, physics, mechanics or chemistry. Background in basic geology is an advantage.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Know (1) effects of water, temperature, confining pressure, and loading rate/speed on rock and rock mass; (2) in situ stresses, stress analysis theory, and rock mass classification; (3) basic theories in stress waves, rock blasting and their applications in tunnelling, rock foundation, rock and mining industry; (4) slope instability, caving, subsidence, and other forms of rock fracture in engineering, (5) instrumentation in rock mechanics; (6) basic principles of rock support in tunnels and other rock structures; (7) mining and rock mechanics operation in Svalbard. Understand (1) the importance of the knowledge of rock mechanics and engineering geology in the design of constructions in rock mass, such as tunnels, rock slopes, caverns, high-ways and other rock construction; (2) basic principles in making the designs or layouts of the above engineering practices. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have skills in: (1) The design of tunnels, slopes, mining layout and underground constructions; (2) the design of rock support such as bolting, shotcrete, and net systems; (3) improving current operations in industry by means of rock mechanics knowledge; (4) carrying out experiments and measurements on stresses/strains in rock; (5) performing technical work relevant to rock engineering in cold region like Svalbard. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Perform successful technical supervision on rock support, construction, blasting and mining engineering. Design tunnels, slopes, mining layouts and other underground structures. Design rock support constructions for tunnels and caverns. Offer technical support to the operations or methods in drifting, tunnelling, drilling, blasting, rock support and mining engineering. Apply advanced knowledge and technology to engineering
The course extends over a full semester. Prior to the course students attend one week of compulsory Arctic survival and safety training (AS-101). The course will be run as a combination of lectures, seminars with students’ presentations and field work. Through lectures the students achieve theoretical background for rock mechanics. By combining the theoretical knowledge with written report, field work and seminars, the students can strengthen their competence in solving a practical problem. In this way, students can be more capable to understand and use their theoretical knowledge from the course, and finally solve and present their work. Lectures and field work is carried through in close cooperation with the local mining company (Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani). The students will conduct field investigations and be introduced to mining in Lunckefjellet, Svea and Mine 7 in Advent Valley. Total lecture hours: 60 hours. Local field & lab work conducted during lecture weeks. Excursion: 4 days to mines in Svalbard.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars, laboratory work and field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report and oral presentation Written assignments including mini-projects Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 30% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
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AT-301
Arctic Infrastructures in a Changing Climate (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August-September), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-801 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Books: Andersland O. B. and B. Ladanyi (2004): “Frozen Ground Engineering”. McClung D. and P. Schaerer (2006): “The Avalanche Handbook”. Arctic Council report (2005): “Arctic Climate Impact Assessment ACIA”, Chapter 16. Jones Ch. L., J. R. Higgins and R. D. Andrew (2000): “Colorado Rockfall Simulation Program, version 4.0”. Norwegian Public Road administration: Handbook 174 (1994): “Snow Engineering for Roads”.
this new climate scenario. Settlements in the vicinity of steep slopes will be exposed to increasing risk for slope failures, slides in soil and rock, slush and snow avalanches. The course will trough lectures and field trips, focus on recognizing terrain exposed to avalanches and slides, and how to plan the location of infrastructures to avoid natural disasters. Specific topics: • Introduction in global warming phenomena • Design of infrastructures in a changing climate • General information about avalanches: types, release mechanisms, snow stability evaluation methods, avalanche protection • Field trip devoted to rock falls and avalanches • Field trip devoted to observations of foundation types • Design of buildings and roads in snow drift areas
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-801.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Learning activities consist in lectures, seminars, two field excursions, field work.
COURSE COSTS:
Through lectures students will be introduced to academic content of the course. Lectures are supplemented with assignments mainly taken from “Frozen Ground Engineering” (2004). Assignments have to be submitted in written form and must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Anatoly Sinitsyn anaytoly.sinitsyn@unis.no None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-301/801 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Knowledge of mathematics and physics at bachelor level.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to understand weather related geological processes and geotechnical aspects connected to planning, design and protection of infrastructures as buildings, roads, bridges and pipelines in a changing Arctic climate. Have knowledge of the impact of climate change on infrastructures in the Arctic, and how to solve this expected issue. Understand the influence of climate change on natural disasters as snow avalanches and slides in rock and soils. Have knowledge of design of buildings and roads in snow drift areas. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Perform evaluation of natural hazards during areal planning and design of infrastructure. Apply models for simulations of rock falls and avalanches. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight in and be able to discuss the engineering practice in relation to phenomena of climate change applied to Arctic conditions. Be able to write and present research reports.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Due to the fact that the climate is changing with higher expected temperatures, higher precipitation and probably higher storm activity, infrastructures have to be designed for
During field excursions the students will investigate different foundation presented in Longyearbyen and Pyramiden. The students will work in small groups, to train team work skills. As a result of field excursions each student group must produce a joint report describing observed foundation types and structure failures due to lack of maintenance and due to a warmer climate. Field work on rock falls and avalanches will take place in proximity of Longyearbyen. As a result of field work, each student group must prepare a joint report on evaluation of zones exposed to rock fall and avalanche hazards. In addition to contributing to the group reports, all students must write one report on a chosen subject. All results (from field work, field excursions and the personal reports) will be presented and discussed in seminars. Total lecture and seminar hours: 40 hours. Field work: 3 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars, assignments, field work, one written report (on foundation). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Two written reports (hazard zones + chosen subject) Written exam
Percentage of final grade
10%+10% 4 hours
80%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AT-307F
|
Arctic Offshore Engineering – Field work (3 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
3 ECTS with AT-807F GRADE:
Pass/Fail COURSE MATERIALS:
Compendium on field work methods
• • • •
Structure of sea ice Spatial variability of ice properties Study of effects of ice loads on coastal structures Thin sections and characterisation of the structure of ice.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over one week including compulsory safety training and about four hours lecturing. During this week three days will be spent in the field where the students will take active part in the logistics. Students as a group are required to prepare a joint field report containing the major findings from the field work.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Sveinung Løset sveinung.loset@ntnu.no UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
COURSE COSTS:
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Field work.
NOK 600-800 (3-4 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
ASSESSMENT: Method
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme and previous participation in AT-323, AT-327 or AT-332.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have basic understanding of how to behave and work in an Arctic climate on land and sea ice. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have gained experience in conducting the most common standard techniques for characterizing an ice cover by sampling sea ice. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to explain and discuss how ice samples can be used to characterize both physical and mechanical properties of ice by physical testing. This competence applies to engineering aspects in the design of offshore structures.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course addresses methods used to characterise sea ice with respect to mechanical and physical properties. Specific topics: • Sampling of vertical/horizontal ice cores • Determination of salinity, temperature and density profiles in sea ice • Uniaxial compressive tests of sea ice • Use of borehole jack • Description of the damage mechanisms during testing
Written report
Time
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
|
AT-314
Advanced Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (July-September), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
and to analyse and solve an unstable problem in these structures. Be able to do laboratory and field experiments/ measurements, and to perform or supervise operations in blasting, rock support and rock-related engineering. Be able to make improvements on a low-quality or even ordinary operation in rock drilling, crushing, blasting and extraction. Be able to make the design of tunnelling, mining layout and rock support.
10 ECTS with AT-814 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters and articles, ca. 500 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Zongxian Zhang zongxian.zhang@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-314/814 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Knowledge in mathematics, physics and basis in rock mechanics or engineering geology (AT-212 or equivalent) is an advantage.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Know (1) characteristics of rock fracture under different conditions such as varying loading rate, temperature, pressure, water content, and cyclic loads, (2) fundamentals of one-dimensional elastic waves, (3) dynamic rock fracture in laboratory and in engineering, (4) principles of rock blasting and fragmentation, (5) principles of rock support, (6) successful examples for solving practical problems in rock and mining engineering by using the knowledge of advanced rock mechanics. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have skills in (1) analysing a complicated problem dealing with factors such as dynamic loads, high or low temperature, water etc., (2) applying stress wave theory to solve practical problems relevant to dynamic loads, (3) performing a successful blast and improving a lowquality blast operation, (4) improving fragmentation and increasing ore recovery in mining engineering, (5) improvement of tunnelling /drifting by either mechanical boring or blasting, (6) making a design for successful rock support, (7) reduction of ground vibrations and environment damage caused by blasting. Have experience in starting, performing, completing and reporting a project. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to evaluate the stability of rock structures such as tunnels, caverns, slopes and other underground structures,
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Stress wave theory and dynamic rock fracture are the key contents in this course, but they are seldom offered in the Master programme available to the students from Geology and Civil Engineering such as Mining and Rock Mechanics. However, many problems in reality are dynamic ones. Combined with the effects of confining pressure, water, temperature, cyclic loads on rock fracture, the course provides a special but practical package of knowledge and skills for students, so that they are able to solve various problems, even very difficult ones in rock and mining engineering. In addition, the course provides a number of mini-projects for students, including assignments for each lecture. The students will complete their projects both independently and in groups. They will use the knowledge gained in the course, analyse and solve the problems. Then they will write scientific report, discuss in seminars and finally complete the written report and make oral presentations. In the field work, they will look for various problems in tunnels and other rock structures in the field, they will do their analyses to the problems and phenomena such as deformation, rock fracture, rock support by bolting, net and shotcrete, tunnels and caverns, pillars, cutting, caving etc. They will evaluate the design and operation in the field and make their comments or proposals on further improvements. The field work will be done in a close cooperation with the local mining company (Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani). For applications, the course will do case studies taking practical examples from rock engineering and mining industry to show students how to solve practical problems by using rock mechanics knowledge, for example, how to improve rock fragmentation, reduce energy consumption and increase ore recovery; how to reduce rock break/ damage in roofs and walls of tunnels; how to reduce blastcaused ground vibrations; how to reduce mining costs, and how to improve safety in rock engineering and mines. Specific topics: • One-dimensional stress wave theory • Dynamic rock fracture • Water on rock mass and on stability of rock structures • Temperature on rock (combined with dynamic loading) • Confining pressure on rock (combined with dynamic loading) • Scientific blasting • Rock support design and principles • Improvement on rock fragmentation and resource recovery • Improvement on tunnelling and work safety in underground construction
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• • •
Reduction of vibrations and environmental damage caused by blasting Project seminars and presentations Field work and reporting
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-814. The course is run as a combination of lectures, field work, assignments for mini-projects, written report and seminars (see also “Academic content” for information on learning activities). Through lectures the students achieve theoretical background for advanced rock mechanics. By combining the theoretical knowledge with written report, field work and seminars, the students can learn how to start and lead a project, how to use their theoretical knowledge to solve a practical problem, how to present their project work by written and oral means. In this way, the students can greatly strengthen their capability in solving an engineering problem, in writing a report, and in presenting a project work. Lectures and field work is carried through in close cooperation with the local mining company (Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani).The students will conduct field investigations and be introduced to mining in Lunckefjellet, Svea.
Total lecture hours: 40 hours. Local field & lab work conducted during lecture weeks. Excursion: 3 days to mines in Svalbard.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars and field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written field work report and presentation Written assignments including mini-projects Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 30% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
AT-307F students collecting ice core samples in Svea. Photo: Anatoly Sinitsyn/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AT-324
|
Techniques for the Detection of Organo-Chemical Pollutants in the Arctic Environment (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (March-April), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-824 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/ reading list (400 pages): Schwarzenbach (2007): “Environmental Organic Chemistry”, 2nd Ed.; K. Danzer (2007): “Analytical Chemistry”; Quality Control compendium; AMAP report on POPs, 2010 (STOTEN, available for free download at www. amap.no). Literature provided by guest lecturers. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Roland Kallenborn roland.kallenborn@unis.no UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
NOK 800-1000 (4-5 days x NOK 200) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-324/824 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master program. Basic knowledge in organic analytical chemistry, and with experiences in chemical analysis (or other laboratory experience).
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: • appreciate the role of analytical chemistry as integrated environmental research topic for the overall environmental risk assessment in Arctic environments. • understand the role of analytical chemistry in the comprehensive and interdisciplinary field of environmental science. • know the scientific principles and requirements underlying modern analytical chemical methods for the quantitative determination of environmental pollutants in Arctic environments • appreciate the logistical and technological requirements for conducting field work on environmental pollutant research under Arctic conditions. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: • select suitable strategies and technologies for a sound a reliable determination and quantification of organic pollutants based on scientific evaluation of available analytical instrumentation • perform a principal method validation based upon
• •
standard quality control (QC) criteria accepted in modern analytical laboratories. critically evaluate the quality of published data based upon QC protocols given in the respective reference. assign a method uncertainty to the respective analytical methods presented as important frame for subsequent statistical evaluations.
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: • introduce validated analytical work flows into on-going trace analytical processes in academic and commercial laboratories. • argue for specific analytical technologies and methods in the competitive process of selecting a reliable quantitative science based trace analytical methods for organic target chemicals. • provide valuable chemical knowledge as team players for relevant environmental research activities on presents, distribution processes and effects of anthropogenic pollutants in the Arctic.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Today, a large number of organic chemicals are already identified as relevant environmental pollutants in Arctic environments. Detection, identification and quantification of these chemicals in ultra-trace levels are usually performed by applying well-established, validated and quality controlled analytical methods. The course will introduce students to preparation and quantification procedures for quantitative organo-chemical trace analysis and will also provide detailed information on feasibility and restrictions of modern trace analytical technologies. Focus will also be laid upon demonstration and discussion of challenges and pitfalls within modern trace analysis through practical experiences with Arctic environmental samples. The students will be introduced to the general scientific principles of modern ultra-trace analytical quantification methods for organic chemicals; learn through active field and laboratory work about the importance of sampling/ sample treatment as an integrated part of trace analysis, evaluate the complete process leading from sampling to trace amount quantification based upon modern trace analytical technology, have a first introduction in quality control and quality assurance criteria for modern trace analysis.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-824. The scientific focus will be on well-established quantitative trace analytical methods for persistent organo-chlorine pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) as well as selected indicator compounds for local contaminant sources (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons = PAH).
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The AT-324 students must prepare a written laboratory report on assigned experiments in the form of a scientific report (2500 words; background, motivation, tables, figures and key references).
ASSESSMENT:
Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work: 80 hours. Field excursions: 4-5 days
Written report
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Method
Written exam
Time
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
Attending all lectures in organic trace analysis. Field Excursions. Laboratory report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Arctic Technology students and staff setting up an experiment on the sea ice. Photo: Nataly Marchenko/UNIS
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UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AT-327
|
Arctic Offshore Engineering (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (October), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-827 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Ca. 300 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Sveinung Løset sveinung.loset@ntnu.no UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Compendium; NOK 300 COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/60 students (AT-327/827 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue. Non-programmable calculator. Rottman: “Mathematical Formulas”.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Specific topics: • Oil and gas resources in the Arctic • Petroleum engineering aspects and technology • Ice physics/mechanics • Bearing capacity of ice • Sea ice and iceberg drift • Global and local ice loads on offshore structures • Moored structures and structures on DP in ice • Operations in cold climate • Ice management • Icing on offshore structures • Use of numerical models and ice tank testing in design of offshore and coastal structures.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 2 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-827. Students, normally two in a team, are required to prepare a 5000 word report (including text, references, figures & tables) on a chosen research topic. The students are supposed to work on the report after the two-week course period at UNIS, and submit the report at the latest by 19th December the same year. The total work load of the course is estimated to 250 hours. Total lecture hours: Ca. 44 hours. Group work: 10 hours.
Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Knowledge in mathematics and physics at bachelor level.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have basic knowledge of oil and gas resources in the Arctic. Have basic understanding of the physics and mechanics of ice. Understand how the physical environment affects the design of offshore structures in the Arctic, and how the structures respond to the environmental actions. Logistics is part of this. The environmental actions relate to sea ice, icebergs, marine icing and sea ice dynamics. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in designing offshore structures in the Arctic. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Competence developed through lectures and group work related to a relevant case study.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course addresses oil and gas resources and reserves, petroleum engineering aspects and Arctic offshore development. Offshore structures are discussed on the basis of characteristics of the physical environment.
Participation in group work.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report (research paper manuscript) Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
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UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AT-329
|
Cold Region Field Investigations (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (January-March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Lecture notes delivered during the course. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Arne Instanes arneinst@gmail.com UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Basic knowledge in mathematics and physics at bachelor level.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have knowledge of different methods for field and laboratory investigations of permafrost soil, snow and ice in cold regions. Know and understand the principles of geophysical investigation methods with special emphasis on ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Have knowledge of geotechnical soundings, boring and laboratory methods commonly used in the engineering design of infrastructure in cold regions and permafrost. Have knowledge of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS/GPS) and to reference systems for coordinates and heights. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Experience in cold regions field and laboratory investigations. An ability to use differential GPS equipment and data processing in computer lab. Experience with operation of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and data processing software. Experience with geotechnical field and laboratory tests on frozen soil samples. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Evaluate the strength and weakness off different techniques for cold regions field investigations. Evaluate which type of investigations should be applied for different ground conditions and different types of projects. Interpret data from cold regions field and laboratory investigations, and to derive physical parameters for the investigated material.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The objective of the course is to provide an introduction to geotechnical survey methods in permafrost regions using geophysical and in-situ boring techniques. Special emphasis is given to the theoretical background of ground penetrating radar systems and their applicability in cold regions. Accurate positioning is very important in remote areas, thus the background for the use of Differential GPS is included. The course will also give an introduction to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS/GPS) and to reference systems for coordinates and heights.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 4 weeks including compulsory safety training. Based on the theoretical background, the students will carry out field measurements on glaciers, permafrost soils and bedrock. Collected data will be interpreted with the purpose of identifying ground characteristics of importance for infrastructure developments and structure foundations. Collected GNSS data will be processed to obtain coordinates and heights of the points or the profiles which are measured in the field work. Geotechnical boring (soundings and sampling) will be demonstrated in field. Samples will be investigated in the laboratory. Field work consists of operating differential GPS and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) equipment and geotechnical methods for soil sounding and sampling in cold regions. Geotechnical laboratory work will focus on methods for characterizing frozen soil samples and mechanical properties necessary for foundation design. The students must submit written assignments and prepare written field and laboratory reports from the course activities. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Total exercise hours: 40 hours. Laboratory work: 1-2 days. Field work: 3-5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Laboratory work, field work, assignments and reports. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
4 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AT-330
|
Arctic Environmental Toxicology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (March -April), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-830 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Ca. 700 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Bjørn Munro Jenssen bjorn.munro.jenssen@bio.ntnu.no UNIS contact person: Mark Hermanson mark.hermanson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-330/830 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Background in toxicology, ecotoxicology (AT-207/AT-210 or equivalent), environmental chemistry and/or environmental biology is an advantage.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: An advanced knowledge on the major groups of pollutants that imposes a threat to Arctic organisms and ecosystems, and on how specific contaminant groups affect molecular, cellular and physiological processes in Arctic organisms, Arctic populations and ecological processes in the Arctic. Knowledge on how to extract available scientific knowledge within the field, and to produce an up-to date scientific review essay on the topic of Arctic Environmental Toxicology. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Interpret effects of anthropogenic pollutants on the organismal level (molecular, cellular and physiological) in key Arctic organisms, and in populations of Arctic organisms and in Arctic ecosystems. Interpret which properties of pollutants that make them potential threats to Arctic organisms. Carry through advanced scientific literature searching, and produce a written scientific essay based on up-to-date available scientific literature within the field of Arctic Environmental Toxicology. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have general competence within the field of environmental toxicology on an advanced level, provided for future positions within nature and pollution management, research, the industry, or for further PhD studies.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Arctic species have evolved biochemical, physiological and ecological traits specific for surviving in the harsh Arctic environment. Pollutants can be toxic, or interfere with biological processes through other mechanisms, thus reducing their fitness and causing resultant changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Effects can occur at all biological organization levels, from the subcellular level to the ecosystem level. Specific topics: • Uptake, biotransformation and excretion of pollutants in Arctic organisms • Effects of pollutants in organisms in relation to the specific Arctic environmental conditions • Effects of pollutants on organismal acclimatization and adaptations to the Arctic environment • How effects can propagate from the subcellular level to population, community and ecosystem levels • How climate change and pollutants may interact in affecting Arctic organisms and ecosystems • Specific ecotoxic effects of the major classes of pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, petroleum oil, and novel man-made pollutants, on Arctic organisms • The susceptibility of Arctic organisms and ecosystems to pollutants as compared to other organisms and ecosystems • Effects of pollutants on humans in the Arctic
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-830. The students must prepare a research paper manuscript (3000 words including text, references, figures & tables) on a chosen research topic. The students must give a short oral presentation of the manuscript, aimed towards the general public and decision makers. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Student-led seminars: 60 hours. Field /lab work: 3-5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars and excursions. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Research paper manuscript Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
123
124
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
AT-331
|
Arctic Environmental Pollution: Atmospheric Distribution and Processes (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (April-June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
5 ECTS with AT-321 and 10 ECTS with AT-831 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Ca. 700 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Mark Hermanson mark.hermanson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000 (5 days x NOK 200 per day)
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The combinations of Arctic ambient atmospheric conditions (long periods of light or dark, cold, dry air, strong wind) affect the chemical reactions affecting persistence (lifetime) and distributions of contaminants. Climate change is expected to play a role, yet unspecified, in this process. Specific topics: • The real “POPs” defined: persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT). • Arctic conditions that affect “P” and “B” in PBT. • Chemistry of the polar atmosphere. • Contaminant storage in ice in the Arctic and the effect of a changing climate. • Forecasting and hindcasting movement of contaminants through the Arctic atmosphere: the application of models. • The role of particles in Arctic atmospheric contaminant distribution.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-331/831 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Students should have a minimum of 15 ECTS in chemistry, and 7,5 ECTS in mathematics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have basic knowledge of the local and long distant sources, transport and fates of atmospheric contaminants found in the Arctic. Have detailed knowledge of how physicalchemical processes in the Arctic work differently in the Arctic than at mid-latitude locations. Understand the difference between different types of atmospheric models. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to use the HYSPLIT 4.0 computer model for development of various air mass trajectories. Have skills in interpreting the results of lagrangian atmospheric models. Hold advanced skills in operating various field devices, for collecting or detecting atmospheric particles. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to apply appropriate eulerian or lagrangian atmospheric models to studies of atmospheric transport. Be able to apply proper atmospheric sampling systems to support research goals. Be capable of producing and communicating scientific results, by writing field- and lab reports and a scientific manuscript.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over a period of 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-831. The students must prepare a 3000 word manuscript (including text, references, figures and tables) on a chosen research topic. Students must participate in seminars led by other AT-331 students on a topic relevant to AT-331/831. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Modelling (computer) instruction: 6 hours. Student-led seminars: 10 hours. Laboratory work and local field work at UNIS: Ca. 8 hours. Field work: 5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Written reports on field, lab, or modelling exercises as assigned. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Research paper manuscript Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – MASTER COURSES
|
AT-332
Physical Environmental Loads on Arctic Coastal and Offshore Structures (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (October-November), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-323 and AT-832 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Books: Irgens, F. (2008): “Continuum mechanics”. Mei, C.C. (1983): “The applied dynamics of ocean surface waves”. Sanderson, T.J.O. (1988): “Ice mechanics. Risk to offshore structures”. Løset et al. (2006): “Actions from ice on Arctic offshore and coastal structures”. Dempsey and Shen (2001): “Scaling Laws in Ice Mechanics and Ice Dynamics”. Scientific papers (provided). COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Aleksey Marchenko aleksey.marchenko@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-332/832 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course introduces students to modern physical and mathematical models describing physical environmental loads on coastal and offshore structures in the Arctic. The course includes descriptions of physical mechanisms of the environmental loads on the structures by waves, ice and sea currents and an introduction to corresponded mathematical models. The main focus is on the models describing ice crushing and piling up near narrow and wide structures, acceleration of floes and icebergs by surface waves, wave actions on fixed and floating structures, tide and thermally induced ice stresses, seabed gouging by ice keels, ice piling up on the beach, abrasion of steel and concrete surfaces by the ice, bearing capacity of the ice under static and moving loads. Lectures also include formulation of codes for the design of offshore constructions in ice conditions and probability methods for the estimates of risks due to long term exploitation of offshore structures. Seminars include analytical exercises and numerical simulations by Comsol Multiphysics. Laboratory work include experiments on the behaviour of ice samples under non-stationary loading, bending and indentation tests in the ice tank, experiments on ice permeability, experiments on ice interaction with steel and concrete surface. Measurements of floating quay movements induced by water actions with synchronous measurements of sea currents, tides and waves are planned as field work in Longyearbyen harbour.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Basic knowledge of mathematics and physics at bachelor level.
The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-832.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand and be able to use specified phys.-math models describing sea ice evolution over a year, sea ice permeability, bending and in plane deformations of fresh and saline ice, interaction of tides and surface waves with floating ice, ice gouging, ice behaviour under static and dynamic loads, influence of sea ice on steel and concrete surfaces.
Seminars include mathematical exercises, performing of results of field and laboratory work, and exercises for exam preparation. Each student should prepare a report in relation to course topics. See “Academic content” for a further description of learning activities. Total lecture hours, seminars and field work: 50 hours. Laboratory work: 1 week.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Have basic knowledge of ISO standards and probabilistic estimates of ice loads on offshore and coastal structures. Understand and be able to explain the ice impact on beach and coastal structures.
Seminars, laboratory work and field work.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Experience in modelling with Comsol Multiphysics. Experience in performing ice tests in the cold laboratory of UNIS. Experience from field work in the coastal zone of Svalbard fjords in the ice free season.
ASSESSMENT:
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have Arctic survival and safety experience from field work on land and sea during winter/ice season. Be able to conduct research work, independently and in groups, in a cold laboratory and in the field. Have competence in preparing reports and presenting results in seminars.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Method
Time
Written laboratory report Written field work report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 20% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
125
126
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
|
AT-801
Arctic Infrastructures in a Changing Climate (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (August-September), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-301 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Books: Andersland O. B. and B. Ladanyi (2004): “Frozen Ground Engineering”. McClung D. and P. Schaerer (2006): “The Avalanche Handbook”. Arctic Council report (2005): “Arctic Climate Impact Assessment ACIA”, Chapter 16. Jones Ch. L., J. R. Higgins and R. D. Andrew (2000): “Colorado Rockfall Simulation Program, version 4.0”. Norwegian Public Road administration: Handbook 174 (1994): “Snow Engineering for Roads”. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-301/801 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Knowledge in mathematics and physics at master level.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to understand weather related geological processes and geotechnical aspects connected to planning, design and protection of infrastructures as buildings, roads, bridges and pipelines in a changing Arctic climate. Have knowledge of the impact of climate change on infrastructures in the Arctic, and how to solve this expected issue. Understand the influence of climate change on natural disasters as snow avalanches and slides in rock and soils. Have knowledge of design of buildings and roads in snow drift areas. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Perform evaluation of natural hazards during areal planning and design of infrastructure. Apply models for simulations of rock falls and avalanches. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have insight in and be able to discuss the engineering practice in relation to phenomena of climate change applied to Arctic conditions. Be able to write and present research reports.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Due to the fact that the climate is changing with higher expected temperatures, higher precipitation and probably higher storm activity, infrastructures have to be designed for this new climate scenario. Settlements in the vicinity of steep slopes will be exposed to increasing risk for slope
failures, slides in soil and rock, slush and snow avalanches. The course will trough lectures and field trips, focus on recognizing terrain exposed to avalanches and slides, and how to plan the location of infrastructures to avoid natural disasters. Specific topics: • Introduction in global warming phenomena • Design of infrastructures in a changing climate • General information about avalanches: types, release mechanisms, snow stability evaluation methods, avalanche protection • Design of protection against natural hazards • Field trip devoted to rock falls and avalanches • Field trip devoted to observations of foundation types • Design of buildings and roads in snow drift areas
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-301. Learning activities consist of lectures, seminars, two field excursions and field work. Through lectures students will be introduced to academic content of the course. Lectures are supplemented with assignments mainly taken from “Frozen Ground Engineering” (2004). Assignments have to be submitted in written form and must be approved in order to sit the exam. During field excursions the students will investigate different foundation of constructions presented in Longyearbyen and Pyramiden. The students will work in small groups, to train team work skills. As a result of field excursions each student group must produce a joint report describing observed foundation types and structure failures due to lack of maintenance and due to a warmer climate. Field work on rock fall and avalanche hazards will take place in proximity of Longyearbyen. As a result of field work, each student group must prepare a joint report on evaluation of zones exposed to rock fall and avalanche hazards. In addition to contributing to the group reports, all students must write one report on a chosen subject. The PhD students must also (prior to the course) prepare a 20 min presentation of their PhD topic and (during the course) produce one written report on protection measures for part of the settlement in the Longyear valley or Svea mining camp. All results (from field work, field excursions and the personal reports) will be presented and discussed in seminars. Total lecture and seminar hours: 40 hours. Field work: 3 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Presentation of PhD project, seminars, assignments, field work, one written report (on foundation). All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Three written reports (hazard zones + chosen subject + protection measures) Written exam
Percentage of final grade
7,5 % + 7,5 % + 15 % 4 hours
70%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AT-807F
|
Arctic Offshore Engineering – Field work (3 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over one week including compulsory safety training and about four hours lecturing. During this week three days will be spent in the field where the students will take active part in the logistics. Students as a group are required to prepare a joint field report containing the major findings from the field work.
CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
3 ECTS with AT-307F GRADE:
Pass/Fail COURSE MATERIALS:
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Compendium on field work methods COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Sveinung Løset sveinung.loset@ntnu.no UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
NOK 600-800 (3-4 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written report
Percentage of final grade
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme and previous participation in AT-323, AT-327/AT-827 or AT-332/AT-832.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have basic understanding of how to behave and work in an Arctic climate on land and sea ice. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have gained experience in conducting the most common standard techniques for characterizing an ice cover by sampling sea ice. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Be able to explain and discuss how ice samples can be used to characterize both physical and mechanical properties of ice by physical testing. This competence applies to engineering aspects in the design of offshore structures.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course addresses methods used to characterise sea ice with respect to mechanical and physical properties. Specific topics: • Sampling of vertical/horizontal ice cores • Determination of salinity, temperature and density profiles in sea ice • Uniaxial compressive tests of sea ice • Use of borehole jack • Description of the damage mechanisms during testing • Structure of sea ice • Spatial variability of ice properties • Study of effects of ice loads on coastal structures • Thin sections and characterisation of the structure of ice
Photo: Anna Sjöblom Coulson/UNIS
127
128
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
|
AT-814
Advanced Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (April-May), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-314 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F)
General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Understand the basic stress wave theory and main characteristics of the stress waves in rock. Perform highlevel stress wave experiments in laboratory. Apply stress wave theory to solve a complicated problem in engineering. Recommend improvements on current operations (such as rock blasting, rock drilling and boring, rock support, tunnelling, stability of tunnels, open pit slopes, underground spaces) in industry if they have potentiality to improve. Design and perform an international top-level research related to dynamic rock fracture or fragmentation.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Book chapters and articles, ca. 400 pages. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Zongxian Zhang zongxian.zhang@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-314/814 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Knowledge in mathematics, physics and rock mechanics, and engineering geology is an advantage.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Know (1) fundamentals of stress waves in solids, (2) propagation and attenuation characteristics of stress waves in rock, (3) measurements of stress waves in laboratory, (4) typical rock fracture problems related to stress waves in rock engineering, (5) successful examples for solving practical problems in rock and mining engineering by using stress wave and dynamic rock fracture theories. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have skills in (1) performing research dealing with a complicated dynamic problem such as piling, rock drilling and blasting, rock bursts or seismic events, caving, landslides, earthquakes, underground construction, dynamic rock support, and deep mining etc, (2) carrying out experiments on stress waves, (3) using stress wave theory to solve practical engineering problems, (4) making improvements on the operations which are presently not efficient or not environment-friendly. For example, be able to improve rock fragmentation, increase ore recovery, and make mining and tunnelling faster, more economically and more safely. Have experience in driving a project, making a presentation and organizing a seminar.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Stress waves theory is the dominant content in this course since most problems in rock and mining engineering are dynamic rather than static. The course focuses on onedimensional elastic waves, including wave propagation characteristics in rock, wave reflection and transmission through an interface and free surface, wave propagation through different materials, and wave collision. Following the basic theory of stress wave propagation in materials, stress wave caused dynamic fracture, or called spalling, is to be taught since many rock failure problems in reality are related to spalling. Then various rock fracture or failure problems from industry or rock engineering will be introduced and discussed. The students will be assigned some projects from engineering practices to do their own research. They will also carry out laboratory work dealing with stress waves and dynamic rock fracture. The field work will be done in a close cooperation with the local mining company (Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani). Specific topics: • Types of stress waves in solids • Wave equation • Wave reflection and transmission • Stress waves caused by rock blasting • Propagation of elastic waves in bounded finite bar • Lagrangian diagram for elastic and plastic waves • Impact of two elastic bars • Energy of an impact system • Propagation of elastic waves in two different materials • Wave reflection on a rigid wall and on a free surface • Propagation of elastic waves in three different materials • Spalling caused by stress wave loading • Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system • Attenuation and dispersion of stress waves in rock • Dynamic rock fracture—experiments • Dynamic rock fracture—characteristics and mechanism • Case study 1—how to improve rock fragmentation in blasting • Case study 2—how to increase the energy efficiency in comminution • Case study 3—how to reduce spalling in the roof and wall of a tunnel • Case study 4—how to strengthen dynamic support in underground mining and rock engineering • Case study 5—how to reduce ground vibrations
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – BACHELOR COURSES
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 3 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-814. The course is run as a combination of lectures, field work, assignments, written report and seminars (see also “Academic content” for information on learning activities). Through lectures the students achieve theoretical background for stress waves and dynamic fracture. By combining the theoretical knowledge with written report, field work and seminars, the students can learn how to use their theoretical knowledge to solve a number of difficult practical problems. In this way, the students can well develop their knowledge in stress waves and dynamic rock fracture, and will be capable to deal with tough or difficult problems to be meet in rock engineering or industry in their future. Lectures and field work is carried through in close cooperation with the local mining company (Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani).The students will conduct field investigations and be introduced to mining in Lunckefjellet, Svea. Lecture hours: 30 hours (including case studies). Seminar held by students: 10 hours. Local field & lab work conducted during lecture weeks. Excursion: 2 days to mines in Svalbard.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars and field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written (theory based) assignments Written report (case study) Presentation in seminars
Time
Percentage of final grade
40% 40% 20%
All assessments must be passed in order to receive a final grade.
Photo: Snorre Olaussen/UNIS
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130
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AT-824
|
Techniques for the Detection of Organo-Chemical Pollutants in the Arctic Environment (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (January-March), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-324 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Curriculum/ reading list (400 pages): Schwarzenbach (2007): “Environmental Organic Chemistry”, 2nd Ed.; K. Danzer (2007): “Analytical Chemistry”; Quality Control compendium; AMAP report on POPs, 2010 (STOTEN, available for free download at www. amap.no). Literature provided by guest lecturers. COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Roland Kallenborn roland.kallenborn@unis.no UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 800-1000 (4-5 days x NOK 200 per day) COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-324/824 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: • select and actively apply suitable strategies and technologies for a sound and reliable determination and quantification of organic pollutants based on scientific evaluation of available analytical instrumentation. • further develop available analytical procedures along the required needs for new contaminants of emerging concern. • perform a principal method validation based upon standard quality control (QC) criteria accepted in modern analytical laboratories. • critically evaluate the quality of published data based upon QC protocols given in the respective reference and select reliable methods based upon scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals.. • assign a method uncertainty to the respective analytical methods presented as important frame for subsequent statistical evaluations. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: • introduce validated analytical work flows into on-going trace analytical processes in academic and commercial laboratories. • conduct method development on new quantitative trace analytical methods on contaminants of emerging concerns as scientific team-leader . • argue for specific analytical technologies and methods in the competitive process of selecting a reliable quantitative science based trace analytical methods for organic target chemicals.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD program. Comprehensive knowledge in organic analytical chemistry, and with experiences in chemical analysis (or other laboratory experience).
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: • appreciate and actively assess the role of analytical chemistry as integrated environmental research topic for the overall environmental risk assessment in Arctic environments. • understand the role of analytical chemistry in the comprehensive and interdisciplinary field of environmental science. • Understand und further develop quality criteria for the development of modern and advance trace analytical methods for identification and quantification of emerging organic pollutants. • know and actively apply the scientific principles and requirements underlying modern analytical chemical methods for the quantitative determination of environmental pollutants in Arctic environments • appreciate and actively develop logistical and technological requirements for conducting relevant field work on environmental pollutant research under Arctic conditions.
Today, a large number of organic chemicals are already identified as relevant environmental pollutants in Arctic environments. Detection, identification and quantification of these chemicals in ultra-trace levels are usually performed by applying well-established, validated and quality controlled analytical methods. The course will introduce MSc and PhD students to preparation and quantification procedures for quantitative organo-chemical trace analysis and will also provide detailed information on feasibility and restrictions of modern trace analytical technologies. Focus will also be laid upon demonstration and discussion of challenges and pitfalls within modern trace analysis through practical experiences with Arctic environmental samples. The students will be introduced to the general scientific principles of modern ultra-trace analytical quantification methods for organic chemicals; learn through active field and laboratory work about the importance of sampling/ sample treatment as an integrated part of trace analysis, evaluate the complete process leading from sampling to trace amount quantification based upon modern trace analytical technology, have a first introduction in quality control and quality assurance criteria for modern trace analysis.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-324.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
The scientific focus will be on well-established quantitative trace analytical methods for persistent organo-chlorine pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) as well as selected indicator compounds for local contaminant sources (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons = PAH).
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
The AT-824 students must prepare a written comprehensive scientific report on assigned experiments including a scientific literature based topic associated to experiments. (4500 words, Background, experimental section, results put into a scientific context, motivation, including tables, figures and key references).
ASSESSMENT:
Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Laboratory work: 70 hours. Report work and supervision: 30 hours Field excursion: 4-5 days
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Fieldwork in Longyearbyen. Photo: Jan Otto Larsen/UNIS
Attending all lectures in organic trace analysis. Field excursions, laboratory report. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Method Written report in manuscript form Oral exam (report discussion)
Time
Percentage of final grade
50% 50%
All assessments must be passed in order to receive a final grade.
131
132
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AT-827
|
Arctic Offshore Engineering (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (October), yearly
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The course addresses oil and gas resources and reserves, petroleum engineering aspects and Arctic offshore development. Offshore structures are discussed on the basis of characteristics of the physical environment.
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-327 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Approximately 300 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Sveinung Løset sveinung.loset@ntnu.no UNIS contact person: Jan Otto Larsen jan.otto.larsen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Compendium; NOK 300
Specific topics: • Oil and gas resources in the Arctic. • Petroleum engineering aspects and technology. • Ice physics/mechanics. • Bearing capacity of ice. • Sea ice and iceberg drift. • Global and local ice actions on offshore structures. • Moored structures and structures on DP in ice. • Operations in cold climate. • Ice management. • Icing on offshore structures • Use of numerical models and ice tank testing in design of offshore and coastal structures.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/60 students (AT-327/827 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue. Non-programmable calculator. Rottman: “Mathematical Formulas”.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 2 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-327.
Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Knowledge in mathematics and physics at master level.
Students, normally two in a team, are required to prepare a 5000-word report (including text, references, figures & tables) on a chosen research topic. The students are supposed to work on the report after the two-week course period at UNIS, and submit the report at the latest by 19th December the same year. The total work load of the course is estimated to 250 hours.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Total lecture hours: Ca. 44 hours. Group work: 10 hours.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have basic knowledge of oil and gas resources in the Arctic. Have basic understanding of the physics and mechanics of ice. Understand how the physical environment affects the design of offshore structures in the Arctic, and how the structures respond to the environmental actions. Logistics is part of this. The environmental actions relate to sea ice, icebergs, marine icing and sea ice dynamics. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in designing offshore structures in the Arctic. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Competence developed through lectures and group work related to a relevant case study.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Participation in group work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Research paper manuscript to be submitted for publication Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
60% 40%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AT-830
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Arctic Environmental Toxicology (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (March-April), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS overlap with AT-330 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Ca. 700 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Course responsible: Bjørn Munro Jenssen bjorn.munro.jenssen@bio.ntnu.no UNIS contact person: Mark Hermanson mark.hermanson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-330/830 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Background in toxicology, ecotoxicology (AT-207/AT-210 or equivalent), environmental chemistry or environmental biology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: An advanced knowledge on the major groups of pollutants that imposes a threat to Arctic organisms and ecosystems, and on how specific contaminant groups affect molecular, cellular and physiological processes in Arctic organisms, Arctic populations and ecological processes in the Arctic. Knowledge on how to extract available scientific knowledge within the field, to produce an up-to date scientific review essay on the topic of Arctic Environmental Toxicology. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Interpret effects of anthropogenic pollutants on the organismal level (molecular, cellular and physiological) in key Arctic organisms, and in populations of Arctic organisms and in Arctic ecosystems. Interpret which properties of pollutants that make them potential threats to Arctic organisms. Carry through advanced scientific literature searching, and produce a written scientific essay based on up-to-date available scientific literature within the field of Arctic Environmental Toxicology. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Within the field of environmental toxicology on an advanced level, be provided for future positions within nature and pollution management, research, the industry, or for further PhD studies.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: Arctic species have evolved biochemical, physiological and ecological traits specific for surviving in the harsh Arctic environment. Pollutants can be toxic, or interfere with biological processes through other mechanisms, thus reducing their fitness and causing resultant changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Effects can occur at all biological organization levels, from the subcellular level to the ecosystem level. Specific topics: • Uptake, biotransformation and excretion of pollutants in Arctic organisms • Effects of pollutants in organisms in relation to the specific Arctic environmental conditions • Effects of pollutants on organismal acclimatization and adaptations to the Arctic environment • How effects can propagate from the subcellular level to population, community and ecosystem levels • How climate change and pollutants may interact in affecting Arctic organisms and ecosystems • Specific ecotoxic effects of the major classes of pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, petroleum oil, and novel man-made pollutants, on Arctic organisms • The susceptibility of Arctic organisms and ecosystems to pollutants as compared to other organisms and ecosystems • Effects of pollutants on humans in the Arctic
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-830. The students must prepare a research paper manuscript (4000 words including text, references, figures & tables) on a chosen research topic. The students must give a lecture (45 minutes) on the topic of the research paper manuscript, aimed towards the general public and decision makers. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Student-led seminars: 60 hours. Field /lab work: 3-5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars, laboratory work and field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Research paper manuscript Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
40% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
133
134
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AT-831
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Arctic Environmental Pollution: Atmospheric Distribution and Processes (10 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, (April-June), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
5 ECTS with AT-321 and 10 ECTS with AT-331 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Ca. 700 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Mark Hermanson mark.hermanson@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
Field work, NOK 1000 (5 days x NOK 200 per day)
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The combinations of Arctic ambient atmospheric conditions (long periods of light or dark, cold, dry air, strong wind) affect the chemical reactions affecting persistence (lifetime) and distributions of contaminants. Climate change is expected to play a role, yet unspecified, in this process. Specific topics: • The real “POPs” defined: persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT). • Arctic conditions that affect “P” and “B” in PBT. • Chemistry of the polar atmosphere. • Contaminant storage in ice in the Arctic and the effect of a changing climate. • Forecasting and hindcasting movement of contaminants through the Arctic atmosphere: the application of models. • The role of particles in Arctic atmospheric contaminant distribution.
COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-331/831 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Students should have a minimum of 15 ECTS in chemistry, and 7,5 ECTS in mathematics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Basic knowledge of the local and long distant sources, transport and fates of atmospheric contaminants found in the Arctic. Detailed knowledge of how physical-chemical processes in the Arctic work differently in the Arctic than at mid-latitude locations. An understanding of the difference between different types of atmospheric models. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Skills in using the HYSPLIT 4.0 computer model for development of various air mass trajectories. Skills in interpreting the results of lagrangian atmospheric models. Advanced skills in operating various field devices, for collecting or detecting atmospheric particles. Skills in communicating scientific results, gained by writing fieldand lab reports and a scientific manuscript. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will be able to: Apply appropriate eulerian or lagrangian atmospheric models to studies of atmospheric transport. Apply proper atmospheric sampling systems to support research goals.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-331. The students must prepare a 5000 word manuscript (including text, references, figures and tables) on a chosen research topic. Students must participate in seminars led by other AT-831 students on a topic relevant to AT-331/831. Total lecture hours: 30 hours. Modelling (computer) instruction: 6 hours. Student-led seminars: 10 hours. Laboratory work and local field work at UNIS: Ca. 8 hours. Field work: 5 days.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Written reports on field, lab, or modelling exercises as assigned. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Research paper to be submitted for publication Written exam
3 hours
Percentage of final grade
75% 25%
All assessments must be passed in order to receive a final grade.
UNIS | ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY – PhD COURSES
AT-832
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Physical Environmental Loads on Arctic Coastal and Offshore Structures (10 ECTS)
and in the field. Have competence in preparing reports and presenting results in seminars.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester, (October-November), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
10 ECTS with AT-323 and AT-332 GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Books: Irgens, F. (2008): “Continuum mechanics”. Mei, C.C. (1983): “The applied dynamics of ocean surface waves”. Sanderson, T.J.O. (1988): “Ice mechanics. Risk to offshore structures”. Squire et al. (1996): “Moving loads on ice plates”. Løset et al. (2006): “Actions from ice on Arctic offshore and coastal structures”. Dempsey and Shen (2001): “Scaling Laws in Ice Mechanics and Ice Dynamics”. Scientific papers (provided). COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Aleksey Marchenko aleksey.marchenko@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/20 students (AT-332/832 in total) EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue Non-programmable calculator.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme. Basic knowledge in mathematics and physics at master level.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Understand and be able to use specified phys.-math models describing sea ice evolution over a year, sea ice permeability, bending and in plane deformations of fresh and saline ice, interaction of tides and surface waves with floating ice, ice gouging, ice behaviour under static and dynamic loads, 3D models of build-up and consolidation of ice ridges and ice piles near offshore structures, influence of sea ice on steel and concrete surfaces. Have basic knowledge of ISO standards and probabilistic estimates of ice loads on offshore and coastal structures. Understand and be able to explain the ice impact on beach and coastal structures. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will have: Experience in modelling with Comsol Multiphysics. Experience in performing ice tests in the cold laboratory of UNIS. Experience from field work in the coastal zone of Svalbard fjords in the ice free season. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have Arctic survival and safety experience from field work on land and sea during winter/ice season. Be able to conduct research work, independently and in groups, in a cold laboratory
The course introduces students in modern physical and mathematical models describing physical environmental loads on coastal and offshore structures in the Arctic. The course includes descriptions of physical mechanisms of the environmental loads on the structures by waves, ice and sea currents and explain methods of the construction of corresponded mathematical models. The main focus is on the models describing ice crushing and piling up near narrow and wide structures, acceleration of floes and icebergs by surface waves, wave actions on fixed and floating structures, tide and thermally induced ice stresses, seabed gouging by ice keels, ice piling up on the beach, seabed erosion by under ice currents, abrasion of steel and concrete surfaces by the ice, bearing capacity of the ice under static and moving loads. Lectures also include formulation of codes for the design of offshore constructions in ice conditions and probability methods for the estimates of risks due to long term exploitation of offshore structures. Seminars include analytical exercises and numerical simulations by Comsol Multiphysics. Laboratory work include experiments on the behaviour of ice samples under nonstationary loading, bending and indentation tests in the ice tank, experiments on ice permeability, experiments on ice interaction with steel and concrete surface. Measurements of floating quay movements induced by water actions with synchronous measurements of sea currents, tides and waves is planned as field work in Longyearbyen harbour.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-332. Seminars include mathematical exercises, performing of results of field and laboratory work and exercises for exam preparation. Each student should prepare a report/ manuscript with research paper structure (3000-5000 words, including introduction, text, references, figures & tables and conclusion) on lab- and field work. Total lecture hours, seminars and field work: 55 hours. Laboratory work: 1 week.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Seminars, laboratory work and field work. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Written laboratory report Written field work report Written exam
4 hours
Percentage of final grade
20% 20% 60%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
135
136
UNIS | GENERAL COURSES
GENERAL COURSES |
AS-101
Arctic Survival and Safety Course (3 ECTS)
The course provides a thorough theoretical basis and handson practice in a range of vital survival skills: •
Use of rifles and pyrotechnic flares to scare away polar bears
•
First aid, especially treatment and prevention of frost injuries
•
Navigation on Svalbard by map reading and compass, assisted by GPS
•
Use of communications systems including VHF radio, satellite phone and direction beacons
•
Emergency kit including tent, windbag and primus stove
•
Sea ice behavior and rescue techniques.
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester (January), yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Pass/Fail COURSE MATERIALS:
Hand-outs (ca. 150 pages) COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Fred Skancke Hansen fred.hansen@unis.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/-
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
The last day of the course include a practical exercise detailing the factors that must be considered when planning field trips in the Arctic.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over 6 days. Total lecture hours: Ca. 20 hours. Total exercise hours: Ca. 40 hours.
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Enrolment as a UNIS full semester student.
100 % attendance at lectures and exercises. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Basic knowledge of potential risk scenarios and skills in planning and accomplishing fieldwork and private trips under arctic conditions.
ASSESSMENT: Method
Time
Percentage of final grade
ACADEMIC CONTENT:
Written exam
1 hour
100%
When running this course, it is assumed that students have no prior experience of life in the High Arctic. One part of the course therefore focuses on clothing and general conduct, as well as providing an insight into the sort of conditions and risks you can expect to meet on Svalbard.
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
UNIS | GENERAL COURSES
|
SH-201
The History of Svalbard (6 ECTS)
COURSE PERIOD:
Spring semester, yearly LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION:
English CREDIT REDUCTION/OVERLAP:
None GRADE:
Letter grade (A through F) COURSE MATERIALS:
Lecture summaries; ca. 20 pages. Recommended reading list; ca. 250 pages
and large scale tourism, but also fisheries. An overriding perspective is the interaction between man and the environment through nearly 400 years of resource harvesting. The history of science on Svalbard will be outlined from its early beginnings in the 18th century until the present, including the more spectacular polar expeditions. Political history includes the question of sovereignty and the emergence of a management regime, as well as the role of Svalbard in a geopolitical context. The development of Russian and Norwegian local communities will be analyzed, and particular emphasis will be put on the local history of Longyearbyen.
COURSE RESPONSIBLE/UNIS CONTACT PERSON:
Thor Bjørn Arlov thor.arlov@unis.no / thor.arlov@ntnu.no COURSE COSTS:
None COURSE CAPACITY MIN./MAX.:
5/-
EXAMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL:
Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue
REQUIRED PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE/ COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: This course is open to all enrolled students at UNIS, and to the Longyearbyen public. There is no application process. Students/attendants show up on the first lecture and register on a list. Only UNIS students are allowed to sit the exam.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Knowledge; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a comprehensive overview of Svalbard’s history from its discovery in 1596 until the present day, covering main aspects of economic and scientific activity, politics, social and cultural development. Skills; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have acquired a basic understanding of historical thinking and applied historical method. General competences; Upon completing the course, the students will: Have a wider cultural context for and a historical perspective on their disciplinary studies and life in Svalbard. Have basic training in critical assessment of source material in order to form balanced judgment.
ACADEMIC CONTENT: The point of departure of the course is the gradual colonization and exploration of the circumpolar Arctic from pre-historic times until the modern period. The early exploitation of Svalbard as a resource frontier is discussed, with emphasis on whaling and hunting. Economic activity in the modern era is covered, first and foremost mining
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The course extends over two weeks with 20 lecture hours. An essay of maximum 2,500 words or at least three written exercises must be approved in order to sit the exam. Individual tuition is offered. During the course there will be a voluntary guided visit to Svalbard Museum and the Cultural Heritage Repository. Individual tuition is offered. During the course there will be a voluntary guided visit to Svalbard Museum and the Cultural Heritage Repository.
COMPULSORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES: At least 80 % attendance at lectures. 3 written exercises or an essay. All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
ASSESSMENT: Method Written exam
Time
Percentage of final grade
3 hours
100%
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
137
138
139
Student ski trip on Hiorthfjellet. Photo: Robert Pfau/UNIS
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Editor: Department of Academic Affairs. Layout: Chili. Manuscript completed 20 February 2014
COURSE CATALOGUE
2014-2015
CONTACT INFORMATION
Academic Affairs:
The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) P.O. Box 156 N-9171 Longyearbyen Norway
E-mail: studadm@unis.no Web: www.unis.no/studies
Phone: (+47) 79 02 33 00 E-mail: post@unis.no Web: www.unis.no
See www.unis.no/studies for updates
UNIS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UNIS.Svalbard