GEO5440 – Cryospheric Modelling
Course description
Course content
This course explores the complex and non-linear behaviour of cryosphere systems. Model equations are derived from theory, principles of numerical methods are introduced and applied to a range of problems. These problems involve processes relevant for permafrost evolution and glacier dynamics and are solved using finite difference techniques.
Learning outcome
After taking this course, you will be familiar with
- derivation of model equations from the theory
- principles of numerical solution techniques
- how these techniques are applied to solve the problems derived from theory
- how different models can be coupled together
- basic design of a simple modelling project in the subject field, deriving and critically analyzing the results
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The courses GEO9440 and GEO5440 has a joint admission, with a joint capacity of 24 students.
If there are more then 24 applicants for GEO9440/5440, applicants will be ranked after the following categories:
PhD candidates at the University of Oslo with supervisor at the Department of Geosciences.
Master's students enrolled in one of the following (non-prioritized order):
- Other students
Applicants will be ranked within each category: all applicants within category 1 are ranked before applicants in category 2. If there are space limitations in the course, available places will be given to students selected randomly among those with the same amount of ECTS credits.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
- MAT-IN1105 – Programming, Modelling and Computations (discontinued) / MAT-INF1100 – Modelling and Computations (discontinued) / GEO-KJM1040 – Introduction to programming with applications in geosciences and in chemistry (discontinued) / INF1000 – Introduction to object-oriented programming (continued) / IN1000 – Introduction to Object-oriented Programming or equivalent courses.
Recommended previous knowledge
- GEO2210 – Geomorphology and Glaciology
- GEO4410 – Glacial and Periglacial Geomorphology
- GEO4420 – Glaciology
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with GEO9440 – Cryospheric Modelling.
Teaching
This research-oriented course with extensive computer training is an intensive course over 2-3 weeks, with lectures, seminars, tutorials, student projects, presentations and discussions.
All teaching has mandatory attendance.
Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory. Students who fail to meet are considered to have withdrawn from the course unless they have previously given notice to the Student administration (studieinfo@geo.uio.no).
We reserve the right to change the teaching?form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.
Examination
- Approved attendance during the whole course is required in order to sit the final exam.?
- A final project presentation counts 50% towards the final grade.
- A final oral examination counts 50% towards the final grade.
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course?if you sit the exam for the following course:
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are?offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.