Module manager: Trystan Surawy-Stepney
Email: t.surawystepney@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
A Level Mathematics OR Physics OR approved Level 1 Maths/Physics equivalent
| GEOG3669 | The Cryosphere |
| SOEE3515 | Ice in the Earth System |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The cryosphere, which includes snow, sea ice, glaciers and ice sheets, is a crucial component of the Earth’s climate system, both influencing and responding to global changes. Throughout the history of the Earth, the cryosphere has continuously evolved, with changes occurring on a wide variety of timescales. Recently, many adverse trends have been observed - with reduction of glaciation and sea ice coverage seen across the Earth. Furthermore, many of these changes appear to be accelerating. This module aims to understand these phenomena, their external controls and their long-term historical context, as well as how research in cryospheric science is conducted.
In this module, through lectures, online learning resources and independent study, you will examine the current distribution of ice around the world, and learn to place it within the broader context of global climate. You will also investigate the long-term past and future evolution of Earth’s ice sheets and how these findings relate to our understanding of contemporary climate change.
By exploring research literature, you will engage with current scientific debates, helping deepen your understanding of the primary drivers of change to the cryosphere, including feedback mechanisms that can accelerate these changes in a warming climate. Lectures and computer practicals also highlight the revolutionary advancements in our ability to measure the most remote ice-covered regions on Earth through remote sensing and satellite-based Earth observation.
Through hands-on computer practicals, you will develop your skills in remote sensing and GIS to assess changes in the cryosphere and predict its future evolution. By critically examining these methods, you will gain insights into their limitations and how uncertainties in predictions are managed in practical terms.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
LO1. Analyse the present distributions of sea ice, snow and glaciers, their global controls and how these elements of the cryosphere interact with the wider climate.
LO2. Examine how the cryosphere has evolved in the past, how it is projected to change in the future, and the processes that will drive this future evolution.
LO3. Evaluate the key metrics scientists use to understand and project the health of different elements of the Cryosphere.
LO4. Examine the role of Earth Observation in monitoring ice masses across the Earth.
LO5. Apply a range of data analysis and broader research techniques, including the use of GIS software and Earth observation data, and evaluate the associated limitations and uncertainties in conclusions derived using these methods.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1. Critical thinking: Critically engage with contemporary research literature to understand scientific conclusions and sources of uncertainty.
SKLO2. Analytical skills: Apply knowledge of cryospheric science in the numerical interpretation and presentation of data.
SKLO3. Technical skills: Be able to use GIS software to analyse Earth observation data.
SKLO4. Research skills: Apply technical skills and domain knowledge to answer research questions, and present scientific results in the style of a scientific publication.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Practical | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Practical | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Private study hours | 124 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Throughout the module, there will be opportunities for students to gain verbal feedback from staff and demonstrators on their ideas, analysis and results prior to the submission of coursework. There will be practical sessions in both semesters in which staff and demonstrators will be available. Written feedback will be provided on each piece of coursework.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 60 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team