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Students will work with data from proxy records (e.g. ice cores, tree rings, corals, sedimentary records and historical documents), observational records, and climate model output.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.

Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed differently.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Interpret, describe and explain the interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and land in the Earth’s climate system.
2. Analyse and interpret climate data, using simple statistical techniques, to evaluate past, present and future climate variability and change.
3. Synthesise and explain understanding of processes that influence climate variability and change, and their application to research and policy contexts.
4. Apply critical thinking to develop a scientific understanding for evaluating the likely causes and potential impacts of climate variability and change
5. Demonstrate an ability to communicate climate science information in a range of formats suitable for diverse audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is updated to include recent climate change research findings. Students will learn research skills in the practical sessions and the major assessment task requires students to read and cite research papers on a topic of their choice.

Field Trips

Not applicable.

Additional Course Costs

Not applicable.

Examination Material or equipment

A laptop is required for each Practical class. Please contact the course convenors before Week 1 if this will be an issue.

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 whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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.

Other Information

Expectations

•  Keep up to date with this Course Guide
• Complete the online lecture material for each week ahead of the live practical session
•  Participate in the live practical session each week*
•  Complete all practical exercises and each assessment task
•  Submit all assessable work via Wattle by the deadline
• Comply with ANU and Fenner School requirements regarding referencing, academic honesty and other standards for academic work
• Study for and complete course tests and exams
•  Plan ahead: all assessment information and due dates are provided at the start of the course
•  This level of participation will amount to approximately 11 hours of work per week in total

Your Feedback

• Your thoughts and opinions matter. Here’s how you can provide feedback on the course:
• Send email to ENVS3013@anu.edu.au
• Contact your class representatives, who will pass on any feedback from members of the class. There will be a meeting of all class reps with the Fenner School Associate Director (Education) in Week 4 of semester.
• The Convener will be in continual informal discussions with course reps throughout the semester
• Use the Comments & Suggestions tool on Wattle to submit anonymous feedback
• Complete the SELT surveys at the end of the course; we do value your feedback and try and respond to your suggestions.

HELP!

Stuck? Confused? Falling behind? Don’t wait! Contact us ASAP. We are here to help.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Students should refer to the Wattle site for current delivery information for the course this semester.Lectures Week 1 (short-format video lecture series):Course overviewGlobal temperature changesPractical 1:State of the Climate	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
2	Lectures Week 2 (short-format video lecture series):PaleoclimatePractical 2:Paleoclimate	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
3	Lectures Week 3 (short-format video lecture series):Tipping pointsPractical 3:Climate tipping points	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
4	Lectures Week 4 (short-format video lecture series):IPCC and the Paris agreementGlobal Warming LevelsPractical 4: Carbon budget	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
5	Lectures Week 5 (short-format video lecture series):ENSO past present, futurePractical 5: Climate explorer correlations and corals	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
6	Lectures Week 6 (short-format video lecture series):SAM and IOD past present futurePractical 6: Multiproxy paleoclimate reconstructions	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
7	Mid semester break
8	Mid semester break
9	Lectures Week 7 (short-format video lecture series):Australia’s black summer fire disasterPractical 7: Fires and emergence of climate change signals	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
10	Lectures Week 8 (short-format video lecture series):Extreme events and their impactsCompound eventsPractical 8: Compound event workshop	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
11	Lectures Week 9 (short-format video lecture series):Detection and attribution in climate sciencePractical 9: Detection and Attribution analysis	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
12	Lectures Week 10 (short-format video lecture series):Climate modelling and climate sensitivity; Practical 10: Modelling future climates (Carbonator)	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
13	Lectures Week 11 (short-format video lecture series):Where are we heading life after net zeroclimate solutions and adaptationPractical 11: Climate negotiations	Assessment:Weekly 5% wattle quiz
14	Practical 12:Review and revision session	Article for The Conversation and creative piece (40%)Graduate oral presentation (20%)

Tutorial Registration

Not applicable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Weekly Wattle Quizzes	40 %	*	1,2,3,4,5
The Conversation article and creative piece	40 %	23/05/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Graduate student oral presentation	20 %	06/06/2025	1,2,3,4,5

* 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

As a student enrolled in this course you are expected to:

·     Keep up to date with this Course Guide

·     Complete the online lecture material for each week ahead of the live practical session

·     Participate in the live practical session each week*

·     Complete all practical exercises and each assessment task

·     Submit all assessable work via Wattle by the deadline

·     Comply with ANU and Fenner School requirements regarding referencing, academic honesty and other standards for academic work

·     Study for and complete course tests and exams

·     Plan ahead: all assessment information and due dates are provided at the start of the course

Examination(s)

N/A

Assessment Task 1

Weekly Wattle Quizzes

Wattle quizzes, Multiple choice

(1 per week for weeks 1-11; 5% per week, keeping 8 best marks)

Quiz to be completed by 9am on the Monday of the following week (e.g. Week 1 quiz closes at 9am on Monday 24/2/2025)

Value: 40%

Assessment Task 2

The Conversation article and creative piece

Article for The Conversation (1000–1200 words) and accompanying creative piece (e.g. video, podcast, poster etc)

Instructions and rubrics will be provided at the start of semester

Value: 40%

Assessment Task 3

Graduate student oral presentation

Students are required to develop a Powerpoint presentation on a topic of their choice, to be pre-recorded and uploaded to Wattle. If this poses an issue for any reason, please see lecturers to discuss at the start of the semester.

Instructions and rubric will be provided at the start of semester

Value: 20%

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 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 Wattle quizzes.

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

Assessments will be returned via Wattle.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignment tasks is not permitted.

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