Lectures

Special Lecture on Antarctic Science I

The cryosphere —including the Antarctic ice sheet, permafrost, mountain glaciers, and Arctic sea ice— is one of the regions strongly affected by climate change. Changes in the cryosphere also have major impacts on ocean circulation and the global environment, making it a key component of the Earth system. This course aims to deepen understanding of the Earth system by learning about the environmental change in the polar regions, particularly Antarctica and the Arctic.
The course focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of the climate system and ecosystems unique to the polar regions, as well as their recent changes, with the goal of examining the current state of the global environment from a polar perspective. Students will also have the opportunity to learn from experts who have conducted frontline field research, including Antarctic expeditions, and to gain insight into the frontier spirit that drives polar exploration and scientific discovery.

・Main Topics
1. Atmosphere in the Polar Regions　－Atmospheric circulation and the ozone hole－
2. Polar Oceans and Sea Ice　－Deep ocean circulation－
3. Ice Sheets and Glaciers　－Ice sheet dynamics and sea-level change－
4. Polar Life　－Life in extreme environments and polar ecosystems－
5. Antarctica and Humanity　－The history of Antarctic research and the Antarctic Treaty－

This course is offered as an intensive course and is scheduled to be held around July–August. The exact schedule will be announced in advance through the university website and bulletin board notices.

Special Lecture on Antarctic Science II

This course aims to provide students with the opportunity to learn about the latest advances in polar and cryospheric research through lectures delivered by internationally recognised researchers. The course covers a wide range of topics, from snow and ice science —including snowfall, sea ice, the Antarctic ice sheet, and mountain glaciers— to projections of future changes in the cryosphere.
Through attending lectures in English and engaging in discussions with international researchers, students will gain valuable experience in scientific communication and develop skills that will be beneficial for pursuing research and professional activities in the future.

・Main Topics
1. The Cryosphere and Climate
2. Land Ice and Snow
3. Sea Ice
4. Glaciers and Ice Sheets
5. The Past and Future of the Cryosphere

This course is offered as an intensive course and is scheduled to be held around October–November. The exact schedule will be announced in advance through the university website and bulletin board notices.

Hokkaido University-ETH E-Lectures

To facilitate lectures by international instructors and to share Hokkaido University’s outstanding courses with a global audience, the Curriculum offers interactive distance-learning courses using internet-based videoconferencing. Instructors and students can see and hear one another in real time, allowing lectures to proceed with questions and discussions just as in a conventional classroom.
Currently, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) and Hokkaido University are connected via this system. Professor Heinz Blatter delivers the course ‘Special Lecture on Antarctic Science II’ from Switzerland to Sapporo, while Professor Takeo Hondo offers ‘Advanced Snow and Ice Physics’ from Sapporo to Switzerland.