Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, 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;
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

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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, Greenland
12	Synthesis of observations	Assignment 4 (10%)
13		Examination (40%)

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1	10 %	07/03/2025	19/03/2025	1,2,4
Written critique of a scientific paper	10 %	13/03/2025	25/03/2025	5
Assignment 2	10 %	28/03/2025	18/04/2025	1,2,4
Oral critique of a journal paper	10 %	14/04/2025	06/05/2025	5
Assignment 3	10 %	09/05/2025	16/05/2025	1,2,5
Assignment 4	10 %	23/05/2025	31/05/2025	1,2,3,4
Final Exam	40 %	03/06/2025	01/07/2025	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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.

Participation

Lectures, tutorials and computing labs will be run in a hybrid mode, with in-person participation in class and active zoom sessions of the class running simultaneously. Classes will be recorded and made available online for later reference.

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for mid-semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and the date official end of Semester results are 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.

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.

Rubric

1	2	4

Assessment Task 2

Written critique of a scientific paper

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

Masters/Honours students will assess and compare three papers on the same topic.

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

Rubric

5

Assessment Task 3

Assignment 2

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.

Rubric

1	2	4

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)

Rubric

5

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 exam. Scientific calculators will be required to perform some numerical calculations.

The examination will be either in the form of a 3-hour written exam or a 20-minute oral exam, depending on covid-19 restrictions and whether students can attend the examination physically. The decision on the form of the examination will be made towards the end of semester in consultation with the class members.

Value: 40%

The date range indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the course Wattle site and the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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 permitted. 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. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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. Extensions may be granted 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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students