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Faculty of Science

School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences

ESCI 132 ANTARCTICA:

Unfreezing the continent

(15 points)

Trimester 2, 2013

Emperor Penguins, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica – photo by Cliff Atkins

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Welcome to ESCI 132 For over fifty years Victoria University has been sending scientific expeditions to Antarctica to investigate many aspects of the continent’s Geology, Geophysics and Biology. Victoria’s Antarctic Research Centre has built an impressive reputation internationally for high quality research. ESCI 132 draws on these unique resources to present a course on the Antarctic continent and the role of humans on the continent.

Important dates Trimester dates: 15th July to 17th November 2013 Teaching dates: 16th July to 18th October 2013

Mid-trimester break: 24th August to 8th September 2013 Last assessment item due: NA Study period: NA Examination/Assessment Period: NA

Withdrawal dates: Refer to www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/payments/withdrawalsrefunds

If you cannot complete an assignment or sit a test or examination (aegrotats), refer to www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/exams-and-assessments/aegrotat

Class times and locations Lectures: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 11.00 – 11.50 pm in McLaurin Lecture Theatre 102 (MCLT 102). Laboratories: They are held most, but not every week, refer to the course outline for the exact timetable. Laboratory classes will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 1-3pm in Cotton 217 (CO217). Laboratory classes start during the second week. You will be able to sign up for the class of your choice on blackboard. Please do this during first week of lectures. Numbers participating in each class are strictly limited, first come, first served.

Names and contact details Course Coordinator: Dr. Cliff Atkins, Cliff.Atkins@vuw.ac.nz, Cotton Room 302C, Ph: 463 6143 This course is taught by a range of academics from the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences and Antarctic Research Centre. You can learn something about their research interests by consulting the following websites: (http://www.victoria.ac.nz/geo/people/index.html) (http://www.victoria.ac.nz/antarctic/about/staff) Lecturers: Cliff Atkins- Cotton 302c Dan Zwartz- Cotton 505d Lionel Carter-Cotton 512 Demonstrators: All the demonstrators are senior students who have been involved in research projects related to Antarctica and have been to the ice.

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We also invite academics from other schools at the University and experts from outside VUW.

Guests for 2013 include: Eric Brenstrum MetService Ed Butler Antarctica NZ Joanna Mossop VUW (Law) Ken Ryan VUW (Biology)

Cath Wallace Southern Ocean environment and fisheries expert Mariska Wouters Antarctic Tourism expert Paula Granger New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust Rhian Salmon VUW (School of Chemical & Physical Sciences & Climate

Change Research Institute) Rebecca Priestley VUW (Climate Change Research Institute)

Communication of additional information If available, lecture notes will be posted on Blackboard. Any course announcements and other information will also be posted there. Remember, this is no substitute for attending lectures, especially in ESCI 132. Should you encounter any problems with the course, please contact either your demonstrator or the course coordinator (preferably by email).

Prescription A broad introduction to Antarctica, including its history, exploration, weather, geology, fauna and management. Its role in the global climate system is emphasised. This course is primarily designed for non-science majors.

Course content The aim of the course is to introduce you to the extraordinary continent of Antarctica. We will cover a diverse range of topics including the weather, human impacts, history, geology, biology and the management of Antarctica and its environment. The lectures are gathered together in five teaching themes that form the core of the course:

Antarctica past and present. Conditions in Antarctica today and its geological and history.

Ice people. The history of exploration, Antarctic technology, artists and poets in Antarctica

The coming of the ice. The history of the Antarctic ice sheets and the changes that resulted in the present ice cover. Their importance for present and future global climate and sea-level.

Life on the edge. Life in the extreme terrestrial environment and the teaming seas beyond.

Management and Protection. Antarctic resources, management & environmental protection.

The laboratory sessions will be used to discuss broad topics and issues. Aspects of science that underpin our understanding of Antarctic history and Antarctic technology will be presented.

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Week Date Lecture Topic Laboratory

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July 16 Introduction, course arrangements – Cliff Atkins No Lab July 18 Antarctic Geography – Cliff Atkins

July 19 Antarctic Technologies – Cliff Atkins

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July 23 Antarctic exploration –Rebecca Priestly and Cliff Atkins

Geography July 25

July 26 Antarctic Heritage Trust: protecting the past–(NZAHT)

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July 30 Not a Sunday Picnic-Fieldwork in Antarctica- Cliff Atkins Not Quite a Sunday Picnic

Aug 1 Antarctic Geology- Cliff Atkins

Aug 2

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Aug 6 TBA Antarctic Geology Aug 8

Antarctic Weather - Erick Brenstrum (Met Service) Aug 9

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Aug 13 Terrestrial ecosystems – Ken Ryan (SBS) Southern Hemisphere

weather Aug 15

Marine life and biodiversity – Ken Ryan (SBS) Aug 16

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Aug 20 Southern seas, sea ice, and the global ocean-Lionel Carter

No Lab Aug 22

Aug 23 First In-Term Test

24thAugust – 8th September; Mid Trimester Break

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Sept 10 Ice sheets and sea level –Dan Zwartz

No Lab Sept 12 Antarctica and global climate past and future –Cliff Atkins

Sept 13 Ice Cores – Andrea Tuohy

8 Sept 17 Drilling back to the future -Tim Naish

The Ice Melts

Sept 19 TBA Sept 20 Antarctic Treaty System- Cliff Atkins

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Sept 24 Legal issues in Antarctica- Joanna Mossop (Law) Drilling back to the

future Sept 26

Sept 27 Antarctic Tourism - Mariska Wouters

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Oct 1

TBA Oct 3 Outreach stuff – IPY Rhian Salmon

Oct 4 Our far South – Geoff Simmons

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Oct 8 Antarctic Liabilities

Oct 10 Environmental Stewardship-Cliff Atkins

Oct 11 Environmental issues- Cath Wallace

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Oct 15 Managing NZ science in Antarctica – Ed Butler (ANZ)

No Lab Oct 17 Guest speaker TBA

Oct 18 Second In-Term Test

NB. The title, lecturer and order of lectures may change due to staff availability

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Course learning objectives Students who pass this course should be able to:

1) Locate major features of Antarctica on a map. 2) Describe the main events and significance of the heroic age of exploration and

subsequent scientific endeavour in Antarctica. 3) Define the geological and climatic factors that have led to the creation of Antarctica and

the ice sheets. 4) Describe the biological diversity of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. 5) Describe the range and impact of human activities and evaluate various efforts such as

the Antarctic Treaty to manage the impacts. 6) Outline the range of activities and technology used in scientific activities in Antarctica. 7) Recognise the influence of Antarctica on global processes such as Ocean and

Atmospheric circulation and its influence on New Zealand. 8) Summarise Victoria University and New Zealand’s activities and contribution to

understanding Antarctica.

Teaching Format Laboratories: There are three 1 hour lectures per week. Note that many lecturers are guests and do not have detailed hand outs or blackboard notes. You should make every effort to attend the lectures and benefit from the lecturers presentation. Laboratories: The laboratory classes are aimed discussing material presented at lectures in a broader context. They will use a variety of techniques to encourage this discussion. Normally, we will work through a series of questions or exercises in groups. Where appropriate, various scientific techniques will be presented. Laboratory classes are compulsory and assessed. They are held most, but not every week, please refer to the course outline for the exact timetable.

Mandatory course requirements In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of 50%, students must:

1. Participate in both terms tests and submit an essay. 2. Attendance at all labs – if you miss a lab, contact the course coordinator immediately.

Workload The Science Faculty's guideline for workload for a 15-point course is about 150 hours

total, for an average student aiming to gain an average grade. However, you may want to devote more time than this if you aspire to a higher grade. With an average over the

teaching period of 5 contact-hours per week in this course, there is an expectation that you will do a considerable amount of work outside lectures and laboratories. Apart from

time spent preparing for the final examination, the principal call on your time is the assignment and readings (strongly recommended and at your own initiative). Workload

throughout the trimester is variable, so budget your time wisely.

Lectures: 34 x 1 hour 34 hours Laboratories: 8 x 2 hours 16 hours Two term tests 2 x 1 hour 2 hours Additional private work on assignments, reading and study: 98 hours Total 150 hours

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Assessment The course is entirely internally assessed. This includes two 50 minute “in-term” tests on material covered in the lectures and labs, marked lab work and a research essay. Details are provided below:

Assessment items and workload per item % CLO(s)

1 In Term test #1 (50 mins) 25% 1-8

2 In Term test #1 (50 mins) 25% 1-8

3 Assessed lab work, some individual, some group work 25% 1-8

Essay, 1500 words- Topics issued August 16th, sign up to topics via blackboard, Essay due 5:00pm, September 27th

25% NA

Results will be returned to the Registry using letter grades only:

Passing Grades Grads A+ > 85% B+ 70 – 74% C+ 55- 59%

A 80 – 84% B 65 – 69% C 50 – 54% A- 75 – 79% B- 60 – 64%

Failing Grades

D 40 – 49% E < 40% K > 50% but did not meet mandatory course requirements

Submission and return of work Laboratory work will usually be collected at the end of a lab session. The research essay should be submitted via turnitin on blackboard AND a printed hardcopy to the locked assignment

submission box on Cotton level 3 outside the SGEES main administration office by the notified submission date.

Penalties Marks will be reduced for lateness (10% per day or part thereof) and work will not be accepted after seven days. If you require an extension on medical or compassionate grounds, you will need to show evidence to support your case. We do not accept the excuse that your computer crashed near the deadline. Save your material and make sure you have something to submit by the due date.

Plagiarism is the use of another person’s work as if it were your own. It is NOT acceptable

and will incur a penalty (see University guidelines below).

Recommended reading Due to our usual text book being out of print, there is no prescribed text for 2013. However, there are copies of the text book used in past years available in the library or if you find a good second hand copy, it is worth buying. The text is: McGonigal, D., Woodworth, L., 2002, Antarctica the blue continent. Random House. This is a beautiful looking book and a good introduction to the continent especially the history. It is an abridged version of an even bigger book Antarctica the complete story.

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Class representative The class representative provides a useful way to communicate feedback to the teaching staff during the course. A class representative will be selected at the first lecture of the course. Students may like to write the Class Rep’s name and details in this box:

Class Rep name and contact details:

Student feedback We may ask students for some feedback during the course using the standard course and teaching feedback forms. Student feedback on University courses may be found at www.cad.vuw.ac.nz/feedback/feedback_display.php.

Other important information The information above is specific to this course. There is other important information that students must familiarise themselves with, including:

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/plagiarism

Aegrotats: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/exams-and-assessments/aegrotat

Academic Progress: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/academic-progress (including restrictions and non-engagement)

Dates and deadlines: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/dates

Grades: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/exams-and-assessments/grades

Resolving academic issues: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/avcacademic/publications2#grievances

Special passes: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/avcacademic/publications2#specialpass

Statutes and policies including the Student Conduct Statute: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/policy

Student support: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/viclife/studentservice

Students with disabilities: www.victoria.ac.nz/st_services/disability

Student Charter: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/viclife/student-charter

Student Contract: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/enrol/studentcontract

Turnitin: www.cad.vuw.ac.nz/wiki/index.php/Turnitin

University structure: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about

VUWSA: www.vuwsa.org.nz