Hobart
Introduction
Human induced climate change is arguably the most serious problem currently facing our planet. Detection and attribution of human induced climate change requires an understanding of the mechanisms of natural climate variability as well as trends in climate. Earth's climate is a coupled system between atmosphere, ocean, land surface, biota, snow and ice. Gaining an understanding of how our climate system works is an important first step to more confidently diagnosing and predicting the effects and impacts of human induced climate change. In this unit we will learn how Earth's climate works. We will begin to understand mechanisms underpinning important known natural climate variations such as El Nino Southern Oscillation and the Antarctic Oscillation. To achieve these ends, we examine global observations (in situ and by satellite) and learn about global climate models; consider detection and attribution techniques to discern human induced climate change above natural variability; and examine recent statements by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on human induced climate change.
Summary 2020
Unit name | Our Changing Climate |
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Unit code | KGA320 |
Credit points | 12.5 |
Faculty/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences |
Discipline | Geography and Spatial Sciences |
Coordinator | Rebecca Harris |
Teaching staff | Nick Earl |
Level | Advanced |
Available as student elective? | Yes |
Breadth Unit? | No |
Availability
Note
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TNE Program units special approval requirements.
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (see withdrawal dates explained for more information).
Learning Outcomes
1 | Explain climate concepts relevant to our understanding of climate change |
2 | Describe the components of the climate system and their interactions and feedbacks |
3 | Evaluate spatial and temporal climate variability and trends using historical observations and simple climate model simulations |
4 | Evaluate the impacts of climate change on physical, biological and human systems |
5 | Present scientific information in a range of formats |
Fees
Requisites
Prerequisites
- (KGA204 - Earth, Climate and Life OR KGA209 - Biogeography and Climatology OR KSA205 - Introduction to Oceanography)
Co-requisites
Mutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
Teaching
Teaching Pattern | 2 x 1-hr lectures weekly, 10 x 3-hr practicals |
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Assessment | AT1 Quizzes (20%) AT2 Short essay questions (10%) AT3 Data analysis (10%) AT4 Group or individual presentation (20%) AT5 2000 word essay (20%) AT6 Take-home exam (20%) |
Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
Required | |
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Recommended |
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