TI 3128: Palaeoceanography
Lectures
Lab practical
Coordinator:
E-mail
Office:
Office Hours:
Venue: Room AC214
TBD see also module outline below; Lab AC217
Dr Alessio Fabbrini
alessio.fabbrini@universitytofgalway.ie
Room 124, Discipline of Geography
Tuesday: 13:00-15:00
Course Overview:
Climate change is not a modern phenomenon, as Earth’s systems are dynamic and rarely stable over
extended periods of time. Climate variability occurs across multiple spatial and temporal scales, but
we generally lack long enough scientific or historical records to directly measure most long-term
patterns of climate change. Palaeoceanography fills this void by providing evidence of past changes in
ocean conditions including temperature, salinity, productivity, circulation, and ecology. These
variables are typically reconstructed through analyses of the geochemistry, microfossil composition,
and organic contents of ancient marine sediments that have either been exposed on land or collected
through seafloor drilling. Palaeoceanography offers an opportunity to reconstruct past climate change
across timescales, providing a broader context for studying modern climate change.
Learning Outcomes:
• Demonstrate an understanding of long-term environmental change as it relates to modern
environmental systems
• Critique the array of methodologies which are used in reconstructing past environments
• Assess long-term human-environment interactions through time
• Apply theoretical concepts in a real-world context through hands-on lab-based instruction
Course Textbooks:
1. W. F. Ruddiman. Earth's climate: past and future. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company 2014
Third edition. E-BOOK access is freely available through Hardiman Library.
2. Additional readings will also be provided via Canvas to prepare lectures or practicals
NOTE: In the course outline (below) specific chapters from each book are indicated for each lecture
Course Expectations. You are expected to:
1. Read relevant material BEFORE class so that we can build on these concepts in class.
2. Attend class and participate in active discussions.
3. Be responsible for material covered in class AND material in the readings. We will not cover
everything in the text during the lectures, therefore you must read the assigned material.
4. Give the class your undivided attention.
5. Put your full effort into your assessments making sure you address key concepts and or
readings.
Canvas:
This class will make extensive use of Canvas. It is your responsibility to make sure you have access and
check it often. I will post grades, readings, and related course material on this site. Plan on using this
as one of your main sources of information for the course.
Assessment: 100% Continuous Assessment – NO EXAM
The continuous assessment for this module is designed so that you acquire the necessary knowledge
and practical skills to work with and interpret simple palaeoceanographic datasets.
50% - Laboratory Reports: Throughout the semester I will schedule a total of 3 Laboratory
practicals (Times to be determined during week 1). Each exercise consists of analysing
palaeoceanographic data or material, and students will be asked to produce graphs,
maps, or diagrams. A detailed guide on how to prepare each assignment including a rubric
on how it will be assessed will be provided to students before each scheduled lab
practical. All assignments will be submitted via Canvas.
30% - Quizzes: There will be a total of 6 quizzes throughout the semester that are designed to
make sure students keep up with studying the main textbook. In other words, if you read
the chapters assigned to these quizzes you will do very well here. All quizzes will be
assessed via Canvas.
20% - In-class participation will be assessed during lectures and laboratory practicals. NOTE:
you cannot participate if you are not there! So, I strongly encourage students to come to
class and engage with the material on a regular basis.
Due dates:
All assignments and quizzes are due on Friday at midnight of their respective week. As per the detailed
schedule below, each week of the term (except for reading week) has a due date, alternating quizzes,
and assignments. I strongly advise that students keep up with their studies so that they do not fall
behind.
However, I do understand that due dates can accumulate, emergencies arise, and head colds can be
nasty. For this reason, students have up to two weeks past each deadline to hand in assessments
and quizzes, after which the student will receive a mark of zero.
Repeat INFO:
The repeat assessment for TI3128 consists of a 2h written exam worth 100%. It will be capped at 40%
according to college guidelines. During the exam, students will be asked to write a case study report
similar to one of the assignments covered during the Lab practicals. Students will be asked to choose
one out of two case studies presented.
TI3128 Palaeoceanography
WEEK Date
Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8
Time
Lecture
16:00 Lecture 1
05/09/2023
17:00 Lecture 2
QUIZ
16:00 Lecture 3
12/09/2023
17:00 Lecture 4
Lab 1
16:00 Lecture 5
19/09/2023
17:00 Lecture 6
QUIZ
16:00 Lecture 7
26/09/2023
17:00 Lecture 8
QUIZ
16:00 Lecture 9
03/10/2023
17:00 Lecture 10
Lab 2
16:00 Lecture 11
10/10/2023
17:00 Lecture 12
16:00 Lecture 13
17/10/2023
17:00 Lecture 14
QUIZ
16:00 Lecture 15
24/10/2023
17:00 Lecture 16
Lab 3
Week
9
31/10/2023
Week
10
07/11/2023
Week
11
14/11/2023
Week
12
21/11/2023
Title
Introduction and course overview
The oceans and the climate system
CH1 & CH2
Marine archives I formation and distribution
Marine archives II sediments
Seafloor sediments
Techniques used to measure time
Techniques used to measure time
CH3
Techniques used to reconstruct ocean climate
Techniques used to reconstruct ocean climate
CH8 & CH10
Astronomical control of solar radiation
Insolation control of Ice sheets
Sediment sample processing
Glacial and deglacial climates
Glacial and deglacial climates
The carbon cycle
Plate tectonics & climate
CH4 & CH5
Greenhouse climates
Greenhouse to icehouse
PETM Exercise
Chapter
CH1 & CH2
Quiz 1
CH5
CH3
Assignment 1
CH3
CH3
Quiz 2
CH3
CH3
Quiz 3
CH8
CH10
Assignment 2
CH 13
CH 14
CH 4
CH5
Quiz 4
CH6
CH7
Assignment 3
Reading Week
16:00 Lecture 17
17:00 Lecture 18
QUIZ
16:00 Lecture 19
17:00 Lecture 20
16:00 Lecture 21
17:00 Lecture 22
QUIZ
Humans & climate
Climate change during the Holocene
CH16 & CH17
Climate change since 1850
Causes of warming over the past 125 years
Future climate change
Future climate change
CH 20
CH 16
CH 17
Quiz 5
CH 18
CH 19
CH 20
CH 20
Quiz 6