About this course
This course focuses on the natural science aspects of climate change during the prehistoric times with focus on the glacial and the deglaciation. You gain an understanding of past climate variability, including its underlying causes and mechanisms as a basis for separating natural and anthropogenic climate change and for making useful projections of future climate and assessing its impacts. The course focuses on pre-human times, and the 100,000 year old Greenlandic ice sheet provides an ideal case study.
Syllabus
Pre-requisites
One course in environmental or earth science at university level. One year of physics or chemistry at university level is recommended.
Study Tour note
Bring appropriate clothing and footwear to stay warm and dry during the Study Tour in potential subzero temperatures. Confidence in hiking on hilly and potentially slippery terrain is mandatory.
“I would not be able to experience similar academics at my home university purely because of the DIS professors’ experience in ice core and climate research. They took us to their research center, the Center for Ice & Climate, to ice cores on a field study. It’s an amazing place full of scientists passionate about the climate system! The professors’ enthusiasm really rubbed off and I was able to appreciate the data in a deeper context through their first-hand experience with the research. The Greenland study tour was the best experience. Amazing, wonderful, fantastic just can’t capture the experience! I would encourage any student interested in climate change and scientific adventures to take this new program.”
Long Study Tour
Short Study Tour
About this tour
This three-day Short Study tour aims to familiarize you with Danish viewpoints on climate change. You will have multiple academic visits involving subjects such as geology, biodiversity, and other environmental concepts. Outside of academic visits, you will be challenged to immerse yourself through various cultural experiences and cuisine.
Learning outcomes
- Understand a selection of climate change causes
- Understand similarities and differences between ‘natural’ and ‘anthropogenic’ climate change
- Understand climate conditions as a key factor in the evolution of modern civilization
Possible activities
- Visit the Cliffs of Møn and the Cliffs of Stevns to understand the ancient past
- Visit the Danish Geological Museum
- Tour the Møn natural area, highlighting the historical and cultural elements