Science, Engineering and Technology

KGA320

2010  KGA320  Our Changing Climate

Unit Level: Advanced

Available as a Student Elective: Yes

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OFFERINGS

Not Offered

DESCRIPTION

Human-induced climate change is arguably the most serious problem currently facing our planet. Detection and attribution of human-induced climate change requires an understanding of the mechanisms of natural climate variability as well as climate change. Earth's climate is essentially a coupled system between atmosphere, ocean, land surface, biota, snow and ice. Gaining an understanding of how our climate system works is an important first step to more confidently diagnosing and potentially predicting the effects of human-induced climate change. In this unit, we will learn about how Earth's climate works. We will begin to understand mechanisms underpinning important known natural climate variations such as El Nino - Southern Oscillation and the Antarctic Oscillation. To do this, we examine global observations (in situ and satellite) and learn about global climate models. We will consider detection and attribution techniques to discern human-induced climate change above natural variability. We will also examine recent statements by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on human-induced climate change.

WEIGHT:  12.5%

ASSESSMENT: 2-hr exam (50%), practical work (30%), 2,000-word essay (20%)

TEACHING PATTERN: Hobart: 2 x 1-hr lectures weekly, 13 x 3-hr practicals

FLEXIBLE & ONLINE STUDY OPTIONS
Note: Class attendance may still be required

   Web supported - H
Online access to some part of this unit online is optional
   Resource supported teaching & learning - H
Additional resources are provided for your optional use; e.g. audio taped lectures
About Flexible Study Options

REQUISITE INFO

Prereq

25% of Level 200 units in Geography and Environmental Studies (KGA) including KGA204 or KGA209, or other relevant units (e.g. Maths and Physics) as approved by the Head of School or permission of the Degree Coordinator

STAFF: A/Prof NJ Holbrook

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Campus - H Hobart, L Launceston, W Burnie. Study Centre - V Sydney, R Rozelle. Distance units may also have a campus identifier of I Isolated, N Interstate, O Overseas. Units delivered in Transnational Education (TNE) Programs have a campus identifier of A Hangzhou, F Fuzhou, G Shanghai, J Indonesia, K KDU Malaysia, Q Kuwait or Z New Zealand.

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