Duration
Theory : 15h Th
Fieldwork : 2d FW
Number of credits
| Bachelor in geography : general | 3 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in geology | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Theory : Sébastien Doutreloup, Aurelia Hubert
Fieldwork : Sébastien Doutreloup, Aurelia Hubert
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course is jointly taught by Prof. Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari and Prof. Sébastien Doutreloup. It provides an integrated overview of the climatic and paleogeographic history of the Earth, with a particular focus on the Quaternary and its imprints on Belgian and European environments.
The first part, taught by S. Doutreloup, places recent climate changes into a long-term perspective. It addresses:
- the major paleoclimatic stages since the Precambrian, highlighting the main forcing factors (tectonic, orbital, atmospheric) and the major transitions in Earth's history;
- the paleogeographic evolution of Belgium throughout geological time, in relation to major climatic and eustatic variations;
- the climatic and environmental fluctuations of the Quaternary and the Holocene (Bölling-Alleröd, Dryas, the 8.2 ka and 4.2 ka events, the Medieval Climate Optimum, the Little Ice Age), as well as their impacts on landscapes, ecosystems, and human societies;
- the historical context of current global warming, in comparison with past natural variations and in relation to the challenges of planetary boundaries.
- Introduction to the Quaternary: history of the concept, stratigraphic boundaries and divisions (Pleistocene, Holocene, Anthropocene), and the main geological features of this period;
- Quaternary glaciations and associated paleogeographies: the extent of ice sheets and glaciers, sea-level variations, isostatic rebound, and landscape transformations;
- Quaternary archives and stratigraphy: study of loess and aeolian deposits, palynology, and other biostratigraphic markers, along with records from marine sediments and ice cores.
- Special attention is devoted to Quaternary dating methods, explored through a flipped-classroom approach: students work in small groups on a dating technique (radiometric, isotopic, cosmogenic, etc.), which they study in depth and then present to their peers.
Theory
The course is jointly taught by Prof. Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari and Prof. Sébastien Doutreloup. It provides an integrated overview of the climatic and paleogeographic history of the Earth, with a particular focus on the Quaternary and its imprints on Belgian and European environments.
The first part, taught by S. Doutreloup, places recent climate changes into a long-term perspective. It addresses:
- the major paleoclimatic stages since the Precambrian, highlighting the main forcing factors (tectonic, orbital, atmospheric) and the major transitions in Earth's history;
- the paleogeographic evolution of Belgium throughout geological time, in relation to major climatic and eustatic variations;
- the climatic and environmental fluctuations of the Quaternary and the Holocene (Bölling-Alleröd, Dryas, the 8.2 ka and 4.2 ka events, the Medieval Climate Optimum, the Little Ice Age), as well as their impacts on landscapes, ecosystems, and human societies;
- the historical context of current global warming, in comparison with past natural variations and in relation to the challenges of planetary boundaries.
- Introduction to the Quaternary: history of the concept, stratigraphic boundaries and divisions (Pleistocene, Holocene, Anthropocene), and the main geological features of this period;
- Quaternary glaciations and associated paleogeographies: the extent of ice sheets and glaciers, sea-level variations, isostatic rebound, and landscape transformations;
- Quaternary archives and stratigraphy: study of loess and aeolian deposits, palynology, and other biostratigraphic markers, along with records from marine sediments and ice cores.
- Special attention is devoted to Quaternary dating methods, explored through a flipped-classroom approach: students work in small groups on a dating technique (radiometric, isotopic, cosmogenic, etc.), which they study in depth and then present to their peers.
Fieldwork
Two (separate) field trip days
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Theory
- Ability to trace the history of major climatic and environmental changes and the evolution of the Earth's surface from the Precambrian to the present day, with particular emphasis on Quaternary changes.
- Ability to situate present-day environments and climate within this long-term evolutionary context.
- Understanding of the main paleoclimatic archives (marine sediments, loess, pollen, ice cores) and their contribution to the reconstruction of past climates and paleogeographies.
- Ability to compare and integrate different sources of stratigraphic, geomorphological, and biological information to interpret past climatic variations.
- Ability to read and interpret sedimentary sections, analyze landforms, and develop a logical reasoning linking field observations, stratigraphy, and the regional morphological framework.
- Ability to relate traces of past climates and paleogeographies observed in Belgium to more general theoretical concepts.
- Ability to independently study a Quaternary dating method (radiometric, isotopic, cosmogenic, etc.), and understand its principles and limitations.
- Ability to communicate and transfer this knowledge to peers through an oral presentation and a concise written report.
- Development of transversal skills in collaborative work, bibliographic research, critical thinking, and scientific communication.
Theory
Theory
- Ability to trace the history of major climatic and environmental changes and the evolution of the Earth's surface from the Precambrian to the present day, with particular emphasis on Quaternary changes.
- Ability to situate present-day environments and climate within this long-term evolutionary context.
- Understanding of the main paleoclimatic archives (marine sediments, loess, pollen, ice cores) and their contribution to the reconstruction of past climates and paleogeographies.
- Ability to compare and integrate different sources of stratigraphic, geomorphological, and biological information to interpret past climatic variations.
- Ability to read and interpret sedimentary sections, analyze landforms, and develop a logical reasoning linking field observations, stratigraphy, and the regional morphological framework.
- Ability to relate traces of past climates and paleogeographies observed in Belgium to more general theoretical concepts.
- Ability to independently study a Quaternary dating method (radiometric, isotopic, cosmogenic, etc.), and understand its principles and limitations.
- Ability to communicate and transfer this knowledge to peers through an oral presentation and a concise written report.
- Development of transversal skills in collaborative work, bibliographic research, critical thinking, and scientific communication.
Fieldwork
Ability to describe and analyze sedimentary sections and landforms, and to build a logical interpretative reasoning about the observations within their geomorphic and geological setting
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic knowledge in physics, isotope chemistry, geology and geomorphology
Theory
Basic knowledge in physics, isotope chemistry, geology and geomorphology
Fieldwork
Reasonable knowledge of the associated theoretical course
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
- Lectures (ex cathedra): presentation of theoretical concepts related to paleogeographic and climatic changes, with a particular focus on the Quaternary and its archives.
- Fieldwork days: direct observation of deposits and landforms in Belgium, allowing students to anchor theoretical knowledge in concrete and regional case studies.
-
Flipped classroom approach: students work in pairs (or exceptionally in groups of three, depending on class size) on an in-depth study of a dating method. They prepare and present their findings through an oral presentation.
Theory
- Lectures (ex cathedra): presentation of theoretical concepts related to paleogeographic and climatic changes, with a particular focus on the Quaternary and its archives.
- Fieldwork days: direct observation of deposits and landforms in Belgium, allowing students to anchor theoretical knowledge in concrete and regional case studies.
-
Flipped classroom approach: students work in pairs (or exceptionally in groups of three, depending on class size) on an in-depth study of a dating method. They prepare and present their findings through an oral presentation.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
if green light: on-site; if other light: remote (LifeSize)
Theory
if green light: on-site; if other light: remote (LifeSize)
Recommended or required readings
required: Lecture notes + PowerPoint files of the course available online in intranet (MyULg, students' portal).
Theory
required: Lecture notes + PowerPoint files of the course available online in intranet (MyULg, students' portal).
Assessment methods and criteria
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Out-of-session test(s)
Other : Oral presentation
Further information:
Across all examination sessions:
The final assessment takes the form of a written exam covering both parts of the course.
Field activities are assessed through direct evaluation of each student's performance in the field, with the possibility of an additional question during the written and/or oral exam.
The overall grade is composed as follows, provided that both written exams are passed:
- 15%: group work and participation during field activities
- 40%: written exam grade for Prof. Hubert-Ferrari's part
- 45%: written exam grade for Prof. Doutreloup's part
Theory
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Out-of-session test(s)
Other : Oral presentation
Further information:
Across all examination sessions:
The final assessment takes the form of a written exam covering both parts of the course.
Field activities are assessed through direct evaluation of each student's performance in the field, with the possibility of an additional question during the written and/or oral exam.
The overall grade is composed as follows, provided that both written exams are passed:
- 15%: group work and participation during field activities
- 40%: written exam grade for Prof. Hubert-Ferrari's part
- 45%: written exam grade for Prof. Doutreloup's part
Fieldwork
Any session :
- In-person
oral exam
- Remote
oral exam
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
direct evaluation of the student activity during the field days, possibly plus a dedicated question in the written examination
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
2 days filed work
Contacts
Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari; aurelia.ferarri@uliege.be
Sebastien Doutreloup; S.doutreloup@uliege.be
Theory
A. Demoulin, Sart Tilman B11
Ph. 04.366.56.60 - Fax 04.366.57.22 - E-mail: ademoulin@ulg.ac.be
Fieldwork
Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari; Sebastien Doutreloup
Association of one or more MOOCs
Items online
Theory
PDF actualisé 2024- Chapitre Glaciation
PDF actualisé 2024- Chapitre Glaciation
PDF actualisé 2024- Chapitre Introduction
PDF actualisé 2024- Chapitre Introduction
PDF actualisé 2024- Chapitre Stratigraphie
PDF actualisé 2024- Chapitre Stratigraphie
Presentations techniques de datation
Presentations techniques de datation
Video et cycles de Milankovitch
Video et cycles de Milankovitch
Fieldwork
Introduction
PDF of the Introduction of the course