Our Changing Climate unit (KGA320)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

Human-induced climate change is arguably the most serious problem currently facing our planet. Detecting and attributing 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 involving interactions between the 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, you will explore the complexities of Earth's climate system and the evidence of climate change. The unit is designed to provide you with comprehensive knowledge and skills in climate science through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical assignments. During this unit you will:

• Learn about the fundamental components and interactions within Earth's climate system.
• Understand the role of climate models in simulating past, present, and future climate conditions.
• Analyse patterns and trends in climate data over different regions and timescales.
• Study historical climate changes using proxy data and reconstructions.
• Evaluate the effects of climate change on physical, biological, and human systems.
• Develop skills in presenting scientific information graphically, quantitatively, qualitatively, and via oral presentations.

 

Summary

Unit name	Our Changing Climate
Unit code	KGA320
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline	Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator	Associate Professor Kathleen Beyer
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 2
Online	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* 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 (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse interactions and feedbacks in climate systems and under climate change
• Evaluate spatial and temporal climate variability and trends using climate model simulations, historical and palaeoclimatic data
• Evaluate the impacts of climate change on physical, biological and human systems
• Obtain scientific information and present it graphically, quantitatively, qualitatively and via oral presentation
• Work constructively in groups to produce scientific outputs

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
010701	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,862.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

KGA204 OR KSA205 OR KPZ211

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Weekly 2-hour lectorial 3-hour practical, 8 times per semester
Assessment	Group oral presentation and discussion (10%)|Monash Simple Climate Model (15%)|Workshop portfolio task (35%)|Essay (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

IPCC 2021 Summary for Policy Makers in Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Masson-Delmotte V, Zhai P, Pirani A, Connors SL, Pèan C, Berger S, Caud N, Chen Y, Goldfarb L, Gomis MI, Huang M, Leitzell K, Lonnoy E, Matthews JBR, Maycock TK, Waterfield T, Yelekci O, Yu R (Eds) Cambridge University Press. 41pp IPCC 2022 Summary for Policy Makers, inAR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The Working Group II Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report Pörtner H-O, Roberts DC, Tignor M, Poloczanska ES, Mintenbeck K, Alergia A, Caig M, Langsdorf S, Löschke S, Möller V, Okem A, Rama (Eds) Cambridge University Press Chapters 2-6 and 11 also pertinent.

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