ANTA101-13SU2 (D) Summer Nov 2013 start (Distance)

Antarctica

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 11 November 2013
End Date: Sunday, 22 December 2013
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 24 November 2013
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 8 December 2013

Description

This introductory course explores the Antarctic continent, the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic islands. It aims to develop an understanding of the relevance of the polar regions to current issues such as climate change, environmental management, and living resource conservation and protection. The content of the course will be a combination of ANTA102 and ANTA103. The course will be delivered entirely online through LEARN, which will allow students flexibility as to when they view the lectures.

Summary of the Course Content
• Antarctic glaciology
• Weather and climate
• The geology of Antarctica
• Antarctic psychology
• Antarctic law and policy challenges
• History of Antarctic exploration
• Antarctic tourism
• Biology of marine ecosystems
• Biology of terrestrial ecosystems

Learning Outcomes

  • The goal of this course is to give students a broad understanding of the physical and biological characteristics of Antarctica and human interactions with the continent. This is achieved by introducing students to topics within the disciplines of biology, geology, climatology, geography, history, glaciology and social sciences of the South Polar region.

    By course completion students will be able to
  • Describe the physical characteristics of Antarctica;
  • Discuss the geological evolution of Antarctica;
  • Assess human interactions with and reactions to Antarctica;
  • Identify and analyse the political and legal framework for Antarctic governance;
  • Interpret academic literature on wider Antarctic issues;
  • Understand the biodiversity and functioning of terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Antarctica;
  • Begin to question how Antarctic biodiversity is responding to change;
  • Present critical arguments on potential future developments in Antarctica, or affecting Antarctica and begin to develop personal ideas on the value of maintaining Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.

Restrictions

INCO103, ANTA102 and ANTA103, ANTA112 and ANTA113

Assessment

A two hour exam worth 50% and 5 multiple choice assessments worth 10% each.  

Details of the actual internal assesment will be provided in the course outline but topics are likely to include:
1. Glaciology, Weather and Climate
2. Geology
3. History, Legal Issues and Tourism
4. Marine Biology
5. Terrestrial Biology

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

Riffenburgh, Beau; Encyclopedia of the Antarctic ; Routledge, 2007.

Rogers, Alex; Antarctic ecosystems : an extreme environment in a changing world ; Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.

Turner, J. , International Council for Science; Antarctic climate change and the environment ; Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, 2009.

No Textbook Required.

Course links

Library portal

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $747.00

International fee $3,488.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Gateway Antarctica .

All ANTA101 Occurrences

  • ANTA101-13SU2 (D) Summer Nov 2013 start (Distance)
Previous year Next year