Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Stuart Browning
Contact via email
12 Wally's Walk, Office 410
Email for appointment
Lecturer
Kevin Cheung
12 Wally's Walk, Office 411
Email for appointment
Juan Carlos Afonso
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or MSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradCertSusDev or MSc or MScInnovation
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
ENVS616
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to the major atmospheric, oceanic and other environmental processes that are responsible for our weather and climate. The unit focuses on Australian region weather and climate. Severe weather events such as tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes are discussed.
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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:
Deadlines set for assignment submissions will not be altered except in exceptional circumstances. In all cases, extensions must be applied for before the due date and must be supported with appropriate documentation (medical certificate, counsellor's certificate, statutory declaration). Where an unavoidable disruption warrants an extension, you may also wish to consider applying for Disruption to Studies. Requests for disruption to studies are submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. Instructions on how to submit your disruption to studies request can be found here: http://ask.mq.edu.au/kb.php?record=ce7c4e38-4f82-c4d7-95b1-4e2ee8fd075f
Extensions will not be granted in cases of poor time management. Only the Unit Convenor can authorise extensions. Late submissions will not be accepted once marked assignments have been returned unless otherwise approved by the Unit Convenor.
Late assignments will incur a late penalty of 10% of the total mark per day. Weekends will be counted as 2 days. Penalties will also be incurred for plagiarism, that is, the use of another persons’ work and presentation as your own (see University Policies and http://www.mq.edu.au/ policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html).
Your assignment will be marked, commented upon and returned to you via Turnitin and Grademark. Grading is conducted in line with the universities grading policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html)
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Practical Tasks | 20% | No | 1 week after on-campus session |
Weather Systems Analysis | 20% | No | 12th April 5pm |
Weather Forecasting | 20% | No | 24th May 5pm |
Examination | 40% | No | TBA |
Due: 1 week after on-campus session
Weighting: 20%
You are required to complete and submit an assessable task for 10 of the practical classes. Instructions for this task will be provided each week in class and via iLearn. Practical tasks contribute a total of 20% towards your final grade, meaning that each task is worth 2%.
Due: 12th April 5pm
Weighting: 20%
You are required to write a consultant style research report on one of eight (8) high impact weather systems: tropical cyclones, east coast lows, frontal systems, heat-waves, blocking highs, bushfire weather, thunderstorms, or cold outbreaks. Specific instructions will be provided in-class and via iLearn.
Due: 24th May 5pm
Weighting: 20%
From Week 4 to Week 9 you will be required to participate in the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS) Weather Tipping Competition (http://tipping.amos.org.au/dist/pages/index.php#static/home). This is a weather forecasting competition where every Friday you submit a forecast for the weekends weather (temperatures and rainfall) at a specified location. Every Monday the forecasts are evaluated against observations. You will participate in this competition, but instead of just submitting your forecast you are also required to document your reasonings behind the forecasts, and self-evaluation of your forecast skill, based on the concepts learnt from this unit. In Week 11 you will submit a report documenting your participation in the Weather Tipping Contest, and a detailed description of two of your forecasts. Specific instructions will be provided in-class and via iLearn.
Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%
Exam date, structure, etc., will be available later in the semester. The exam is run through the formal university examination process. The exam structure may take the form of numerical, short answer and/or essay questions. You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in draft form approximately 8 weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in final form approximately 4 weeks before the commencement of the examinations. (http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam) The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester; that is the final day of the official examination period.
The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2019/
There is 1 x 2-hour lecture each week in 4 Western Road (04WR) 320:
The lecture will be recorded by Echo 360 for iLecture (links from iLearn), and lecture notes will be posted on iLearn. As external students you are not required to physically attend the lectures, but you must make every effort to keep up-to-date with viewing the lectures online.
The practical component of this course is covered by two (2) compulsory on-campus sessions. Practicals are designed to complement and reinforce concepts learned in lectures, so students are expected to be up-to date with lectures and readings prior to the practical classes. Dates for the on-campus sessions are:
Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm 23th March (11 Wallys Wlk 260) Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm 11th May (11 Wallys Wlk 260)
The iLearn platform is central to the delivery of course material, assessments and announcements: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
The primary textbook for ENVS216 is Aguado, E., and J. E. Burt, 2015: Understanding Weather and Climate (7th global edition, ISBN 978-0-321-98730-3), Pearson, 596 pp. It is essential for you to obtain a copy of this textbook together with an access card to the Pearson MyLab and Mastering online system (http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/au/). They are sold as a package in the Co-op Bookstore. They are also available online at:
http://www.pearson.com.au/9781488688379
We will also make use of materials from the MasteringMeteorology website to enhance your understanding the textbook, and there are also quiz questions for you to self test your progress.
When we discuss weather systems and climate specific to the Australian region, the useful reference book is Sturman, A., and N. J. Tapper, 2006: The Weather and Climate of Australia and New Zealand (2nd edition), Oxford University Press, 541 pp, which is accessible from the University Library.
Week |
Date |
Lecture title |
Practical |
1 |
27-Feb |
Introduction to the Atmospheric Environment (SB) |
No Practical |
2 |
6-Mar |
Atmosphere Composition and Solar Radiation (SB) |
Atmosphere and Energy |
3 |
13-Mar |
Energy Balance and Temperature (SB) |
Radiation and Temperature |
4 |
20-Mar |
Atmospheric Pressure and Wind (SB) |
Pressure and Wind Weather Tipping Assignment start |
First On-Campus Session for external students, 23rd March 2019 |
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5 |
27-Mar |
Atmospheric Moisture (KC) |
Atmospheric Moisture |
6 |
3-Apr |
Cloud Development and Forms (KC) |
Cloud Formation |
7 |
10-Apr |
Precipitation Processes (KC) |
Precipitation Processes Weather System Report Due: 5pm 12thApril |
Session 1 recess: 15th April to 26th April |
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8 |
1-May |
General Circulation (SB) |
Introduction to Matlab for Atmospheric Science |
9 |
8-May |
Air Masses and Fronts (SB) |
Weather Maps and Fronts |
Second On-Campus Session for external students, 11th May 2019 |
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10 |
15-May |
Mid-latitude Cyclones (KC) |
Mid-latitude Cyclones |
11 |
22-May |
Lightning, Thunder and Tornadoes (KC) |
Thunderstorms Weather Tipping Assignment Due: 5pm 24thMay |
12 |
29-May |
Tropical Storms (KC) |
Tropical Cyclones |
13 |
5-Jun |
Course Summary (SB) |
No practical |
SB – Dr. Stuart Browning; KC – Dr. Kevin Cheung |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
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We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by: