Joint courses MSc and PhD level courses

University of Oslo, Department of geosciences, is the coordinator of the GlacioEx programme. UiO has the largest Cryosphere University group in Norway, covering all aspects of the terrestrial cryosphere (snow, glacier, permafrost, seasonal frost) including process field studies, modelling and analytical methods such as remote sensing and advanced geographical data analysis. The department has longstanding experience with process-based studies in cryosphere research, with fieldwork in Norway, Svalbard and Antarctica.

Note PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution than University of Oslo must apply for a position as a visiting student at the MN-faculty, UiO within a given deadline, see course description under Admission.

Courses, both full semester and short term courses. The most relevant courses are:

Short/intensive courses at UiO

GEO9440 Cryospheric modelling: 5 ECTS, two weeks every spring, given by Thomas V. Schuler

This course explores the complex and non-linear behavior of cryosphere systems in relation to climate conditions. Sets of model equations are derived from theory, principles of numerical solution strategies are introduced and finally applied to a range of problems related to the cryosphere. These topics involve typical processes relevant for permafrost evolution and glacier dynamics. They will be solved using finite difference techniques.

GEO9450 Permafrost modelling in the Nordic region: 5 ECTS, given as a 2-weeks course when necessary, taught by Bernd Etzelmüller

The course will give a theoretical and practical introduction into the central aspects of numerical modelling of permafrost, with emphasize on applications in the Nordic region. You will learn about the physical basics of atmosphere-ground interaction with respect to the energy transfer into the ground. In addition also the coupling of permafrost models with climate models will be treated, along with feedback mechanisms of permafrost changes into the climate system. We will focus on the thermal processes important for permafrost, and present both empirical equilibrium models and transient modelling schemes. During the course MATLAB codes and/or commercial version will be used. Furthermore, permafrost data as input for permafrost modelling is presented, and the status of a future Nordic permafrost database discussed.

GEO9411 Field course in glacial and periglacial geomorphology/geocryology: 5 ECTS, given as an intensive course in September, taught by Bernd Etzelmüller

In this field course topics related to glacial and periglacial geomorphology will be discussed together with advanced topics within geocryology (terrestrial glacier and permafrost). The place of field course can vary, but focus will be given to southern Norway.

GEO9540 Special topics in remote sensing and terrain analysis: 5 ECTS, short course, every January, given by Andreas Kääb and guest lecturer

This course explores state-of-the art principles, methods, and techniques within selected topics in remote sensing. The specific course theme varies from year to year, and will be decided between students and teacher. In general, the course includes: remote sensing and numerical terrain analysis basics, in-depth theory of the course topic, overview of relevant existing and upcoming sensors and data, detailed application scenarios, and new developments in the field of the theme.

Full semester courses at bachelor level:

Fall option:

GEG2130 Geomorphology of the Nordic countries: 10 ECTS, given by Bernd Etzelmüller and Karianne Lilleøren

This course describes the formation and development of the geomorphology of Norway, the Nordic countries and Svalbard from the tertiary to the present day. Focus is especially on the Quaternary glacial cycles and glacial and periglacial landforms. In addition, bedrock geomorphology, fluvial processes, formation and distribution of soils and sediments, climate variation since the last ice age and the effect of current climate changes on landscape processes.

GEG2240 Introduction to remote sensing: 10 ECTS, given by Andreas Kääb

The course introduces the principles of remote sensing for earth observation. Students will be introduced to the physical principles of the visible, infrared and microwave section of the electromagnetic spectrum, which remote sensing platforms and sensors to use, and how to acquire specific information. The course also covers image processing and analysis, and how to store and process data.

GEO3020 Soil- and groundwater: 10 ECTS

This course gives an introduction to soil- and groundwater hydrology, and presents key processes like evapotranspiration, infiltration, subsurface flow and runoff generation in a Nordic landscape. Furthermore, groundwater abstraction and transport of solutes in the subsurface are discussed. Together with GEO2010 - Surface hydrology it aims to develop a sound intuitive and quantitative sense of the way in which water moves through the land phase of the hydrological cycle.

or optional course at UiO

Spring option:

GEG2110 Geomorphological processes: 10 ECTS, given by Jon Ove Hagen and Karianne Lilleøren

This course focuses on geomorphic processes associated with water (fluvial processes), glaciers (glacial processes) and processes in environments with permanent or seasonally frozen ground (periglacial processes). The action and importance of such geomorphic processes for the evolution of landscapes in polar and alpine regions will be emphasized, based upon examples from modern cold-climate environments. All exercises involve numerical methods and scripting.

GEO2010 Surface hydrology: 10 ECTS, given by John Burkhart

The course, together with GEO3020 - Soil- and groundwater, covers the water balance of the land surface and introduces the most important components of the hydrological cycle. GEO2010 gives an introduction to the surface components of the hydrological cycle, and discusses meteorological data, snow and snowmelt, runoff, hydrological characteristics of the basin and hydrological models. Extreme value estimation, with emphasis on floods and droughts will be briefly introduced.

or optional course at UiO.

GEG2250 Introduction to surveying, photogrammetry and spatial analysis: 10 ECTS, NORWEGIAN ONLY Given by Bernd Etzelmüller and Trond Eiken

The course will convey the theory of map projections and coordinate systems, as well as the theoretical basis for data capture within surveying (GPS etc.) and photogrammetry (aerial photography analysis). Emphasis is put on practical exercises within these topics. The course also provides a specialization in spatial analysis of geographic information, focusing on analysis of geoscientific processes. Emphasis is placed on interpolation, geostatistics and generation / analysis of digital elevation models (DEMs).

or optional course at UiO.

GEO3340 Project work: 10 ECTS, organized by Karianne Lilleøren

The course is taken as the final part of a bachelor’s degree/preparation for an MSc. Students compile a project exercise, either individually or in groups, within the fields of physical geography, geomatics or hydrology.

or optional course at UiO.

Full semester courses at master level:

Fall option:

GEO4410 Glacial and periglacial geomorphology: 10 ECTS, given by Bernd Etzelmüller and friends

The focus of this course will be on geomorphological processes and landforms associated with glaciers, permafrost and periglacial environments. The course also has relevance for Quaternary geology. The course will give an insight into modern research methods, including field methods and theoretical approaches to understanding processes and impacts of meteorology and climate on glacial and periglacial landforms, past as well as present.

The course will have a theoretical part with lectures and seminars, and a practical part with fieldwork and excursion in southern Norway. The theoretical part will provide you with an up-to-date overview on glacial- and periglacial processes and landforms, while the fieldwork will provide students with personal experience from modern glaciers and periglacial environments, with and without permafrost. Seminars will deal with papers, based on field studies in Norway and other cold-climatic regions, to improve knowledge on such geomorphological processes, and to demonstrate the use of cold-climate landforms to reconstruct past environments and climatic conditions. Discussions will concentrate on identifying the critical questions for future cold-climate geomorphological research, and how procedures might be devised to address these questions.

GEO4420 Glaciology: 10 ECTS, given by Jon Ove Hagen

The main aim of the course is to give knowledge about how the glaciers respond on climate changes. A global perspective will be given with emphasis on examples from Polar Regions. Focus will be on understanding processes and impacts of the climate on glacier behaviour.

GEO4520 Advanced remote sensing and topographic analysis: 10 ECTS, given by Andreas Kääb

The course will introduce advanced methods of remote sensing and topographic analysis for geosciences with special emphasis to current research: image matching, generation of digital elevation models, radar and radar interferometry, topographic models, advanced classification techniques, change detection, applications to natural resources and climate change

GEO5550 Seminar on remote sensing and numerical terrain analysis: 5 ECTS, given by Andreas Kääb

This research-oriented seminar includes in-depth discussions on selected state-of-the-art remote sensing and terrain analysis topics, current technological developments and research directions, recent publications, etc. Typical topics include reflection on selected scientific publications, presentation and discussion of specialized remote sensing topics, algorithm development and software usage, and discussion of current research.

GEO4181 Introduction to Natural Hazards: 10 ECTS, given by Graziella Devoli, Karen Mair and others.

This course introduces natural hazards, both globally and related to Scandinavian conditions. The course introduces basic concepts of describing, analysing and mitigating natural hazards and associated risk. There will be a focus on a range of different methods to address and better understand hazards, including computer laboratory experiments and numerical modelling of relevant processes.

GEO4131 Geomechanics:  10 ECTS, given by Karen Mair, Olivier Galland and others.

This course will focus on the mechanics of earth materials (e.g. rock, soil, snow and ice), in particular, how earth materials deform,yield, flow and fail under applied loads or external forcing (both natural and man-induced). Failure criteria, frictional sliding, time dependent strength and (in)stability will be considered. The concepts discussed will be applied to geohazard problems e.g. landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and glacier dynamics.

Spring option:

GEO4430 Snow, snow hydrology and Avalanches: 10 ECTS, given by Thomas V. Schuler

Topics: Accumulation of snow, field methods and snow mapping, energy budget at the snow surface, models of meltwater generation and runoff, physical snow properties and snow metamorphism, snow avalanches.

GEO4530 Geodesy and photogrammetry: 10 ECTS, given by Trond Eiken

Map Projections, digital photogrammetry and GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo…). Overviews of the fundamentals of map projections, GNSS measurement and processing and of the use of airborne (both by plane and drone) and ground-based photogrammetry for geophysical use.

GEO5550 Seminar on remote sensing and numerical terrain analysis: 5 ECTS, given by Andreas Kääb

This research-oriented seminar includes in-depth discussions on selected state-of-the-art remote sensing and terrain analysis topics, current technological developments and research directions, recent publications, etc. Typical topics include reflection on selected scientific publications, presentation and discussion of specialized remote sensing topics, algorithm development and software usage, and discussion of current research.

GEO4171 Floods and landslides: 10 ECTS, given by Kolbjørn Engeland and Graziella Devoli 

Extreme precipitation, flooding and landslides are ultimately connected and the course discusses floods and landslide hazards. The course introduces different types of floods, and further addresses extreme value theory, flood frequency analysis, and risk and uncertainty analyses. In the second part the course describes landslides hazard, introduces tools and methods to collect landslide data, to analyze the slope stability and to predict risk areas. The course includes 1 field trip to a selected site.

The University Centre in Svalbard, UNIS has within its Geology and Geophysics departments, a cryosphere research team focusing mainly on terrestrial research within glaciology, glacial geomorphology, permafrost and periglacial geomorphology. UNIS is an international institution with around 50 % of the students coming from outside Norway, with English as the official education language.

Relevant courses are:

Master/PhD courses

• AG-325/825 Glaciology (10 ECTS) (Feb-Mar),
• AG-330/830 Permafrost and Periglacial Environments (10 ECTS) (April - May)
• AG-346 Snow and avalanche dynamics (March-April)

These three courses can be taken together in one semester, as they are back-to-back sceduled.

• AG-340 Arctic Glaciers and Melt Season Dynamics (10 ECTS) (August)
• AG-326 Quaternary Glacial and Climate History of the Arctic (10 ECTS) (mid Sep-mid Oct)
• AG-342 The Marine Cryosphere and its Cenozoic History (10 ECTS) (April-May)

Bachelor summer intensive field courses

• AG-218 International Bachelor Permafrost Summer Field School (10 ECTS) early June-early July'
• AG-220 Environmental Change in the High Arctic Landscape of Svalbard (10 ECTS) early July – early Aug

These courses can be taken together in one summer, as they are back.to-back sceduled.

The academic year in Sapporo starts in April and ends in February/March, and consists of two semesters, which again consists of two terms.

The dates vary slightly from year to year, but e.g. the academic year 2016/17 looks like this:

• 1^st semester, spring: April 6^th – June 10^th
• 1^st semester, summer: June 13^th – August 9^th
• 2^nd semester, autumn: October 3^rd – November 30^th
• 2^nd semester, winter: December 1^st – February 6^th

Courses at the Graduate School of Environmental Sciences (GSES) (contact Mamuro Ishikawa) http://www.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/ :

Introduction to Global Environmental Management, 1^st Semester (summer), BSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Water and air pollution, remediation technologies, sustainability, cold land, tourism, lake chemistry, human health and risk assessment

Advanced lecture in Geoecological Resources, 2^nd semester (winter), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Geoecology, sustainable development, global warming, socio-political change, mountain protected areas, natural resources management.

Advanced Course in Climate Change Impacts, 2^nd semester (autumn), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Climate change, global warming, risks, impacts and adaptation, extreme weather events, carbon cycle, ecosystems, water resources, agriculture.

Fundamental Lecture in Atmosphere-Ocean Physics, 1^st semester (spring), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Meteorology, General Circulation, Geostrophic Flow, Midlatitude Weather System, TropicalM eteorology, Weather Forecast, Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Atmospheric Chemistry, Ozone Layer, Climate Change, Global Warming, Physical Oceanography, Dynamical Oceanography, Ocean Dynamics, Ocean Circulation, Wind-driven Circulation, Thermohaline Circulation, Climate.

Advanced Course in Paleooceanography and Biomarker Geochemistry, 1^st semester (spring), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Paleoclimate, Paleoocean, Paleoenvironment, Organic geochemistry, biomarker.

Advanced course in Tropospheric Chemistry, 2^nd semester (autumn), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Advanced course in Terrestrial Geochemical Cycle, 2^nd semester (autumn), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Ecosystem, water cycle, carbon cycle, stable isotopes, global environment, earth system.

Advanced course in Ocean Biogeochemistry, 2^nd semester (autumn), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Ocean biogeochemistry, Chemical Oceanography, Material cycle, Data analysis

Advanced course in Theoretical Glaciology, 2^nd semester (term?), MSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Ice sheet, glacier, ice shelf, flow, dynamics, continuum mechanics.

Introduction to Environmental Science, 1^st semester (term?), BSc-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Global warming, ozone depletion, biodiversity, wetland, satoyama, vegetation, ecological disturbance, chemical sensor, remediation

Field courses:

Laboratory and Fieldwork Mountain Environments, taught irregularly as full year study, level?, 4 Japanese credits (6-8 ECTS)

Mountain natural environments, nature protection and conservation, frozen ground, permafrost, geomorphic processes, water cycle, alpine zone

Field studies in Cryosphere I, taught irregularly as full year study, level?, 4 Japanese credits (6-8 ECTS)

Snow and ice, glacier, permafrost, field work, data analysis.

Field studies in Cryosphere II, 2^nd semester (term?), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Field observation, snowfall, snow pack, climate and hydrology.

International Antarctic Institute (IAI), part of GSES (contact: Shin Sugiyama) http://wwwearth.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/IAI/english/index_en.html :

Special Lecture on IAI I, 1^st semester (summer, intensive), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Special Lecture on IAI II, 2^nd semester (autumn, intensive), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Special Course on Antarctic Science I, 1^st semester (summer, intensive), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Glacier Field Course in the Swiss Alps.

Special Course on Antarctic Science II, 2^nd semester (winter, intensive), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Sea Ice Field Course at Okhotsk Sea.

Special Course on Antarctic Science III, 1^st semester (term?), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Course for field skills

Field studies in Cryosphere, 2^nd semester (winter, intensive), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Snow and ice course in Moshiri.

Courses at University of Tsukuba (contact: Nori Matsuoka):

Dynamic Periglacial Geomorphology, late August/early September (2 days), level?, 1 Japanese credit (1,5-2 ECTS)

Field course: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes in Fuji, late August/early September (5 days), level?, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Volcano and Japanese Alps.

Courses at Kitami Institute of Technology (contact: Tatsuya Watanabe):

Advanced Soil Engineering, mid-December or mid-February (5 days course incl. lab. work and field excursion), MSc-/PhD-level, 2 Japanese credits (3-4 ECTS)

Frost heave in soil and rock, imaging ice lenses structure by x-ray CT scan, time-lapse monitoring by surface-wave method, field monitoring on civil structure, heat conduction analysis, geohazards in cold regions.