This module considers the evidence for environmental change in the British Islands in the wider context evidence from oceans and ice cores. The growth and decay of ice sheets, and the evidence for these events will be examined, as will the evidence for episodes of warmth that separate glacial periods. Two in depth studies will exemplify the problems of accounting for events during the Pleistocene of Britain: the first an examination of the history of glaciation in the Irish Sea basin, the second a field-based analysis of environmental change during the Late Pleistocene in Scotland. Finally the module will look at landscape change in post-glacial Britain and the role of humans in fashioning the early-to mid-Holocene environment of mainland Britain.

1 x portfolio of workshop assignments (100%) including a video report based upon the field class (1 - 6)

The module will be delivered through a combination of:

(a) 10 x 1-hour lectures
(b) 5 x 1-hour workshop sessions based on a series of case studies, which apply and develop key principles involving the analysis and interpretation of text and audio-visual materials
(c) 48 hours of field work assessing the evidence for environmental change during the Loch Lomond stadial.

Independent Study Hours
87 hours researching and completing portfolio, including field report

1. Palmer, A; Lowe, J; Rose, J, (eds). 2008 The Quaternary of Glen Roy and vicinity: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, 224pp.

2. Williams, M. et. al. 1998 (2nd edition.) Quaternary Environments. Arnold, London.

3. Lowe, J.J. and Walker, M.J.C. 1997 (2nd edition). Reconstructing Quaternary Environments. Longman

4. Walker, M.J.C. & Bell, M. 2004 Late Quaternary Environmental Change, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall.

Access to lecture theatre with wi-fi /internet access and audio-visual technologies. Access to Blackboard or equivalent VLE. Access to field course.

This module considers the evidence for environmental change in the British Islands in the wider context evidence from oceans and ice cores. The growth and decay of ice sheets, and the evidence for these events will be examined, as will the evidence for episodes of warmth that separate glacial periods. Two in depth studies will exemplify the problems of accounting for events during the Pleistocene of Britain: the first an examination of the history of glaciation in the Irish Sea basin, the second a field-based analysis of environmental change during the Late Pleistocene in Scotland