Changes in Earth's temperature cause changes in the size of the polar ice caps, with corresponding changes in global sea levels as water moves between the oceans and the continental ice sheets. Sea levels are currently rising as a result of present-day increases in global mean temperature and some claim that West Antarctica and Greenland glaciers are melting rapidly.  But how are changes in ice and ocean volumes estimated?

Observations of the motions of close-earth satellites and measurements from these satellites to the surface of the Earth enable these changes to be measured and they provide important constraints on the physical properties of the planet and on the physical processes occurring on and within it. Students will learn about several Earth-observing satellite missions and how to derive and interpret results in terms of physical changes on Earth. 

Undergraduate students attend joint classes with graduate students but will be assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the Earth's gravity field and the geophysical interpretation of temporal gravity changes;

2. Explain the measurement of sea level variations from tide gauges and satellite altimetry;

3. Compute mass balance estimates of polar regions;

4. Relate the theory and observation of the motion of satellites to the determination of positions on the Earth from satellite tracking data; and

5. Communicate efficiently to a general and expert audience about the science of sea level change

 

PG Requirements,

1. Understand the Earth's gravity field and the geophysical interpretation of temporal gravity changes;

2. Explain the measurement of sea level variations from tide gauges and satellite altimetry;

3. Compute mass balance estimates of polar regions;

4. Relate the theory and observation of the motion of satellites to the determination of positions on the Earth from satellite tracking data;

5. Communicate efficiently to a general and expert audience about the science of sea level change; and

6. Evaluate gravimetric datasets systematically and interpret results in the context of trends related to regional and global climate change

Examination Material or equipment

Scentific calculator can be used during the examination

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups
• Feedback and assistance in writing computer code will be provided during the 2-hour computer lab each week.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and results returned to the student (official end of Semester results released on ISIS). Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Background information on climate change
2	What affects sea level; isostasy; geopotential
3	Satellite orbits and reference frames	Assignment 1 (10%)
4	Observing techniques: sea level	Written critique (10%)
5	Observing techniques: satellite altimetry
6	Observing techniques: GPS	Assignment 2 (10%)
7		Oral presentations (10%)
8	Observing techniques: GRACE
9	Glacial isostatic adjustment
10	Case studies: GRACE results	Assignment 3 (10%)
11	Case studies: Antarctica, Macquarie Island, Greenland
12	Synthesis of observations	Assignment 4 (10%)
13		Examination (40%)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1	10 %	12/03/2019	18/03/2019	1,2,4
Written critique of a scientific paper	10 %	18/03/2019	25/03/2019	5
Assignment 3	10 %	01/04/2019	08/04/2019	1,2,4
Oral critique of a journal paper	10 %	08/04/2019	22/04/2019	5
Assignment 3	10 %	23/04/2019	06/05/2019	1,2,5
Assignment 4	10 %	13/05/2019	20/05/2019	1,2,3,4
Final Exam	40 %	06/06/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Assignment 1

Calculate the numerical answers to a series of questions, using the observational data provided. This assignment will require students to write their own software with which to generate their answers. Students will submit their computer code as well as answers to the questions.

Assessment Task 2

Written critique of a scientific paper

Assess the quality of a scientific paper, selected from a list provided.

Provide a (very) brief summary but, more importantly, explain:

• What you did and did not understand
• What was well done/poorly done
• What the scientific community thought of the paper
• What impact the paper had/did not have, and why

Word limit: 2-3 pages

Assessment Task 3

Assignment 3

Calculate the numerical answers to a series of questions, using the observational data provided. This assignment will require students to write their own software with which to generate their answers. Students will submit their computer code as well as answers to the questions.

Assessment Task 4

Oral critique of a journal paper

Make a verbal critique of a scientific paper (chosen from a list provided) including (but not limited to):

What you did and did not understand

• What was well done/poorly done
• What the scientific community thought of the paper
• What impact the paper had/did not have, and why

15 minute verbal presentation plus questions (total 20 minute maximum)

Assessment Task 5

Assignment 3

Calculate the numerical answers to a series of questions, using the observational data provided. This assignment will require students to write their own software with which to generate their answers. Students will submit their computer code as well as answers to the questions.

Assessment Task 6

Assignment 4

Calculate the numerical answers to a series of questions, using the observational data provided. This assignment will require students to write their own software with which to generate their answers. Students will submit their computer code as well as answers to the questions.

Assessment Task 7

Final Exam

During the examination period, sit a final written exam. Scientific calculators will be required to perform some numerical calculations. Other answers will be of written form.

Value: 40%

Please check the course Wattle site and the ANU Examination Timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the end of semester exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned in class one week after submission. Feedback will be provided personally as assignments are returned.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students