Biennial course. Not offered in 2015. Next offered in 2016
Climate change is the largest scientific challenge facing humanity. In this course we will provide a multidisciplinary foundation for understanding climate variability and change from regional to global scales. Interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and land in the Earth’s climate system are explored to understand past, present and future climate variability and change. Course material covers ice age cycles, abrupt change, global and regional climate variability of the past 1000 years, and anthropogenic factors contributing to contemporary and future climate change.
Students will work with data from proxy records (e.g. ice cores, tree rings, corals, sedimentary records and historical documents), observational records, and climate model output. The course also provides opportunities to develop skills in interpreting and communicating climate science for a range of audiences. The scientific basis for climate change is also applied to understanding observed impacts and its relevance for global policy contexts.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but have separate seminars and are assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Interpret, describe and explain the interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and land in the Earth’s climate system.
- Analyse and interpret climate data to evaluate past, present and future climate variability and change.
- Interpret, describe and explain the relationships between large-scale ocean-atmosphere processes and regional and global climates, using simple statistical techniques.
- Synthesise and explain their understanding of processes that influence climate variability and change, and their application to research and policy contexts.
- Apply critical thinking to develop a scientific understanding for evaluating the likely causes and potential impacts of climate variability and change, and demonstrate an ability to communicate this in a range of formats suitable for diverse audiences.
Other Information
If you do not meet the requisites for this course, it may be possible to receive a permission code. If you are prompted for a permission code on ISIS, please request one online via the following form.
Indicative Assessment
- Wattle quizzes on course material (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Conversation-type article and creative piece (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Oral presentation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2 x 2 hour workshops per week.
- Approximately 82 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed textbook for this course. A reading list will be provided on Wattle.
Preliminary Reading
Gergis, J. (2018). Sunburnt Country: The future and history of climate change in Australia, Melbourne University Press, 310pp.
Areas of Interest
- Earth and Marine Sciences
- Geography
- Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability
- Resource Management and Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Science
- Climate
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9225 | 27 Jul 2020 | 03 Aug 2020 | 31 Aug 2020 | 30 Oct 2020 | In Person | View |