Antarctic Climate Evolution and Past Extremes unit (KSA306)

Hobart

Introduction

Synthesising the comprehensive skills and knowledge from the marine science curriculum, this unit examines Antarctic climate evolution and its past extremes to provide context for future climate projections. This unit investigates past periods of climate extreme and rapid change to understand the complex drivers of global and Antarctic climate, and how they may represent paleo-analogues of the future.   
 
You will gain an understanding of the key climate drivers and the causes of climate changes on different time scales; major paleoclimate theories and hypotheses; the response of the major climate components (ice, ocean, land, atmosphere, biosphere), and their interactions and feedback under natural forcings; the data, approaches and techniques used to reconstruct past climate states.

Summary

Unit name	Antarctic Climate Evolution and Past Extremes
Unit code	KSA306
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies
Discipline	Oceans Ice and Climate
Coordinator	Associate Professor Taryn Noble
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	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

• Explain past climate states using conceptual models of climate drivers
• Discuss climate evolution and extremes at different timescales
• Solve paleoclimate problems using geological data and models

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
010713	$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

KSA205

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On-Campus:¿¿Weekly 1-hour seminar and weekly 3-hr practical.¿Attendance in practicals is recommended  Off-Campus: Weekly 1-hr audio/video recorded lectures.  Off-Campus: 1 x 2 day fieldtrip
Assessment	Data Analysis Project (30%)|Research Paper and Presentation (30%)|Problem-Solving Assignment (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.
Recommended	A recommended reading list will be available through MyLO.

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