Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Stuart Browning
Contact via stuart.browning@mq.edu.au
E7A 604
Anytime (email for appointment))
Kevin Cheung
Contact via kevin.cheung@mq.edu.au
E7A 601
Unit Convenor
Sandy Harrison
Contact via sandy.harrison@mq.edu.au
Other Staff
Katherine McClellan
Contact via katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MClimCh or MEnv or PGDipEnv or PGCertEnv or MWldMgt or PGDipWldMgt or PGCertWldMgt or MSc in Biodiversity Conservation or PGDipSc in Biodiversity Conservation or PGCert in Biodiversity Conservation
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
Not co-badged / taught with any unit
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Unit description |
Unit description
Global climate change is one of the important issues facing humanity in the 21st century; the ability to mitigate or adapt to projected climate changes depends on developing an integrated perspective on the physical, biological, biogeochemical, socio-economic and cultural factors that influence the climate system. This unit focuses on the scientific framework for understanding the mechanisms of climate change, and covers (a) the physics of the climate system, (b) the multiple drivers of climate change, (c) the role of physical and biogeochemical feedbacks in the climate system, (d) climate change projections and (e) how socio-economic, biophysical and biogeochemical feedbacks could modulate future changes. It will provide students with the background to critically evaluate current understanding of the complex interactions that determine climate trajectories and the reliability of the tools used to make climate-change and climate-impact projections. The course is taught by a team of internationally renowned experts drawn from the University's Concentration of Research Excellence (CORE) in Climate Futures.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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On-line test | 10% | 21/3/2014 |
Research report | 40% | 30/5/2014 |
Final examination | 50% | TBA |
Due: 21/3/2014
Weighting: 10%
The test will require you to interpret data in the light on information covered in the first 3 weeks of lectures and reading
Due: 30/5/2014
Weighting: 40%
You will prepare a report on an agreed topic, based on existing literature and reports. This will demonstrate you capability to synthesise scientific material and draw independent conclusions.
Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%
The examination will consist of multiple choice, short answers and a choice of essay questions which we test your ability to use terminology and concepts learnt in lecture and practical components of the course to answer a variety of questions and problems
Resources:
The basic resource for this unit is the Working Group 1 contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), particularly the Technical Summary and the Summary for Policy Makers. For more detail, read the individual chapters from the WG1 report. These documents can be downloaded from the IPCC webpage: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/
Delivery:
Lectures, readings and other supporting material will be available on iLearn. iLearn is a web-based computer mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and email will be the principle method of communication in this subject.
We expect you to use iLearn to:
How do you log in? The URL for the iLearn log in page is: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. You will need to log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number. If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Services Website at http://sss.mq.edu.au/equity/about for information on how to get assistance. If you cannot log in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside Sydney).
Assessment tasks:
No extensions will be granted on assessment tasks. Students who have not submitted the assessment task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
Week 1: Atmospheric composition and climate (Stuart Browning)
Week 2: Timescales and patterns of climate variability (Sandy Harrison)
Week 3: The climate system: atmospheric circulations (Kevin Cheung)
** Assessment: Online test due this week **
Week 4: The climate system: oceanic circulation (Kevin Cheung)
Week 5: Modelling climate and climate change (Kevin Cheung)
Week 6: Evaluation of model uncertainty (Sandy Harrison)
Week 7: Future climate change forcings: projections and uncertainties (Sandy Harrison)
Week 8: Projections of climate changes in the 21st century (Sandy Harrison)
Week 9: Projections of changes in water balance and hydrology (Stuart Browning)
Week 11: Projections of extremes: catastrophic events, tipping points and climate surprises (Stuart Browning)
** Assessment: Research Report due this week **
Week 12: Feedbacks in the climate system and climate change (Sandy Harrison)
Week 13: Summary, revisions sessions
** Final assessment: EXAM **
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by: