Students

ENVS6115 – Climate Change, Energy and our Future

2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convener
Yingjie Yang
Contact via 02 9850 8414
Room 121, 12 Wally's walk
Lecturer
Lesley Hughes
Contact via 02 9850 8195
Lecturer
Simon George
Contact via 02 98504424
Room 329, 12 Wally’s Walk
Lecturer
Paul Beggs
Contact via 02 9850 8399
Room 413, 12 Wally's Walk
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or MSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradCertSusDev or MScInnovationEnvSc or MScInnovationGeologyGeophys or MEngEnvSafetyEng
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENVS2115
Unit description Unit description

Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing humanity now and into the future. This topical unit explores key aspects of climate change including the underlying science and the role of human activity, the impacts, and adaptation and mitigation solutions. The unit examines the climate system, current observations and future projections of climate change, and the significance of sectoral and regional climate risks to natural and human systems. The unit also provides an in-depth examination of the role of energy in the climate change issue, from fossil fuel use as a major driver of climate change, to renewable energy as a fundamental solution to this crisis. The unit will empower students to engage in informed discussion about this issue

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate an informed, holistic world view of the climate change issue, including the ability to differentiate natural climate variability from global warming.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental physical mechanisms driving climate variability and climate change.
  • ULO3: Describe the links between fossil fuels, agriculture, population growth and climate change, and the present and future impacts on physical, biological and human systems.
  • ULO4: Explain the role of government, community and industry in determining climate change policy, including adaptation and mitigation options such as renewable energy.
  • ULO5: Assess the validity of information from a range of sources, including scientific communications and popular media.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Criteria

Assessment at Macquarie University is standards-based, as outlined in the Assessment Policy. This means that your work will be assessed against clear criteria, and these criteria (e.g. in a rubric) will be made available when the assessment tasks are released to you on iLearn. 

Submission of Assessments

All assessments must be submitted online through Turnitin unless otherwise indicated. Links for the submission of each assessment will be available on iLearn. 

You should always check that you have uploaded the correct file. If you have a problem, please email the Unit Convenor with your correct file. You must also keep a copy of your assessments until the end of semester in case there is a problem with your submission. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can provide a copy of your assessment if requested.

Marking of Assessments

Assignments will usually be marked through Turnitin with grades provided through Gradebook on iLearn. Please do not submit your assessments via email or in hard copy unless requested (e.g. a sketch or drawing).

We aim to return your assessment grades and feedback within two to three weeks of the date that you submitted it. We appreciate your patience and will advise you through iLearn when your marked assessments and feedback are available for viewing.

Penalties for Late Assessments

The penalty for late submission of assessments in this unit is ten percent (10 %) of the assessment value per day, calculated from the due time and date. This means that if the assignment is worth a total of 30 marks (or 30 % of the unit) you will lose 3 marks for each day it is late. This is a hefty penalty designed to make you aware of the importance of organising yourself around assessment due dates. The penalty will be applied over weekdays and weekends unless you have been granted an extension prior to the due date.

Extensions for Assessments

To obtain an extension for an assessment task, you will need to follow the formal process as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy, and you must provide appropriate supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate - see advice for Special Consideration requests). The final decision regarding the granting of an extension lies with the unit convenor. Permission for extensions must be sought before the due date unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please let us know of problems in advance or as soon as possible, not after the event. We are likely to be much more sympathetic and able to accommodate your circumstance if you follow this advice.

Exams

Details of exam conditions and timetables can be found on the Exams and Results portal. The draft exam timetable will be released approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the exams. The final exam timetable will be published 4 weeks before commencement. All students (including exchange students) are expected to present themselves for the exam at the time and place designated in the exam timetable. Note this may include weekends.

For unavoidable disruptions during exams, you should apply for Special Consideration as soon as possible. If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the exam time will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period and you will receive an individual notification prior to the exam with the exact date and time of the Supplementary Examination. You will only be allowed one opportunity to sit the Supplementary Exam as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
ReadinGame quiz 10% No Week 13
Final Exam 40% No TBA
Research report 30% No Week 10
Weekly assessment of knowledge on lectures and/or practical/tutorial tasks 20% No Weekly

ReadinGame quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

We will be using a custom designed and built, online learning tool; “The ReadinGAME”. This game is designed to operate on a calendar week cycle, and involves you being able to ask a question related on the week’s material from the readings and lectures. You will then be able to answer questions posed by other students, and most importantly, you will not only be able to score points for correctly answering the questions, but you will also be able to comment and discuss the questions, and rate whether they are good/not so good questions etc. Importantly, in the process you will be learning and reinforcing the week’s material as well as having a lot of fun- it can be quite addictive. To play, follow the link in iLearn, and simply ask a question relevant to the weeks material. You will then be able to play, by answering other questions and watching how your score accumulates. You will also be able to give feedback on other people’s questions and monitor your performance. There are multiple scoring paths, and different types of scores to achieve, depending on your interests. At the end of the semester, there will be a quiz based on questions derived from the ReadinGAME.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental physical mechanisms driving climate variability and climate change.
  • Describe the links between fossil fuels, agriculture, population growth and climate change, and the present and future impacts on physical, biological and human systems.
  • Explain the role of government, community and industry in determining climate change policy, including adaptation and mitigation options such as renewable energy.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%

Final exam on material from lectures, assignment and practicals/tutorials.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an informed, holistic world view of the climate change issue, including the ability to differentiate natural climate variability from global warming.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental physical mechanisms driving climate variability and climate change.
  • Describe the links between fossil fuels, agriculture, population growth and climate change, and the present and future impacts on physical, biological and human systems.
  • Explain the role of government, community and industry in determining climate change policy, including adaptation and mitigation options such as renewable energy.
  • Assess the validity of information from a range of sources, including scientific communications and popular media.

Research report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%

You will write a report on an aspect of climate change and energy usage.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an informed, holistic world view of the climate change issue, including the ability to differentiate natural climate variability from global warming.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental physical mechanisms driving climate variability and climate change.
  • Describe the links between fossil fuels, agriculture, population growth and climate change, and the present and future impacts on physical, biological and human systems.
  • Explain the role of government, community and industry in determining climate change policy, including adaptation and mitigation options such as renewable energy.
  • Assess the validity of information from a range of sources, including scientific communications and popular media.

Weekly assessment of knowledge on lectures and/or practical/tutorial tasks

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%

Short quizzes or tests will be used on a weekly basis to maintain everyone’s engagement with the unit content. Some weeks this will be on lecture content, some weeks on practical/tutorial content, sometimes on both.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental physical mechanisms driving climate variability and climate change.
  • Describe the links between fossil fuels, agriculture, population growth and climate change, and the present and future impacts on physical, biological and human systems.
  • Explain the role of government, community and industry in determining climate change policy, including adaptation and mitigation options such as renewable energy.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Unit iLearn

This unit has an iLearn page that can be accessed through ilearn.mq.edu.au. It contains important information and other materials relating to the unit, including details and links for assessments.

Communication

The unit iLearn is the primary way that we communicate with you. Please check it regularly for announcements and posts. You are encouraged to use the Discussion Board on iLearn to post questions and generate discussion with other students. Please only email the convenor with private matters – all other questions should be posted on iLearn.

Unit Organisation

This unit is delivered in weekly topics. There are two lectures and a practical each week.  The organisation of these is outlined in a detailed unit schedule which is available on iLearn.

Classes

The class timetable for this unit can be found through the Timetable portal. You need to enrol in a specific practical class.  Attendance and participation in practicals are important for learning in this unit and successful completion of assessment tasks. 

Workload 

The expected workload for this 10-credit point unit is 150 hours of activity. 

Recommended Materials 

The primary recommended materials for this unit will be the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and other recent IPCC reports (available from https://www.ipcc.ch/) and published research papers, books, and chapters relevant to each lecture topic.

Technology Used and Required

This unit will use iLearn and Echo360. See the Instructions on how to log in to iLearn and the iLearn quick guides for students which will help you:

  • Getting started - Find out how to navigate and familiarise yourself with the iLearn environment
  • Activities - Learn how to effectively complete the activities required of you in iLearn
  • Assignments and Gradebook - Find out how to submit assessments and view your grades using iLearn
  • Online study tips - Studying online is a unique experience, learn how to navigate it here
  • Discussion forums - Explore the different types, and features of discussion forums in iLearn
  • Lecture recordings - Find out how to access lectures online, as well as the features available to you

 

Unit Schedule

ENVS2115: Climate Change, Energy and our Future, Semester 2 2020  
Module Week Date  Lecture number and title Tutorial/practical
Introduction 1 29-Jul 1. Climate Change: what’s the big deal and why should we care? (LH) Unit organisation and introduction to ENVS2115 (YY, convenor)
  2. The historical context: what can we learn? (LH)
What Got Us Here: Fossil Fuels and the Carbon Cycle 2 5-Aug 3. Conventional Hydrocarbons: Oil and Gas (SG) The uses of crude oil in our civilisation: past, present, and future (SG)
  4. Conventional Hydrocarbons: Coal (SG)
3 12-Aug 5. Unconventional Hydrocarbons: Coal seam gas, shale gas, underground coal gasification (SG) Future sources of gas in Australia (SG)
  6. Unconventional Hydrocarbons: Shale (tight) oil, oil shale, and tar sands (SG)
4 19-Aug 7. The Carbon Cycle (SG) Human perception and change denial? (Cas)
Physical climate science   8. Introduction to the atmospheric climate system and variability (PB)
5 26-Aug 9. Drivers of climate change (PB) How to lie with statistics? (YY)
  10. Climate change projections and modelling (PB)
6 2-Sep 11. Causes and impacts of sea level rise (PB) International Climate Negotiations (Cas) 
Impacts of climate change   12. Impact on health (PB)
7 9-Sep 13. Impact on natural ecosystems (LH) Ecosystem change practical (Cas)
  14. Impact on water security (LH)
Semester break
8 30-Sep 15. Impact on food security (LH) Pollen and people (PB)
  16. Impact on communities and tourism (LH)
Adaptation to climate change 9 7-Oct 17. The international context: implications for Australia (LH) Future climate change where you live (PB)
  18. Preventing vs coping with climate change: mitigation and adaptation synergies and tradeoffs (LH)
Mitigation of climate change 10 14-Oct 19. Solar Energy (YY) Rare Earth Elements for renewable energy (Cas)
  20. Other Renewable Energy solutions (YY)
11 21-Oct 21. Nuclear Energy (YY)  Fukushima (YY)
  22. Bimass and Biofuel  (YY)
12 28-Oct 23. Extreme solutions: geoengineering (YY) Geoengineering practical (YY)
  24. Sequestration of carbon on land (PB)
13 4-Nov 25. CO2 Geosequestration; carbon capture and storage (SG) Revision/exam preparation (YY, convenor)
  26. Sustainability and the future of our civilsation (YY)
Lecturers: LH = Lesley Hughes; SG = Simon George; PB = Paul Beggs; YY = Yingjie Yang;  Cas: Casual staff. 

Policies and Procedures

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:

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).

Student Code of Conduct

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

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

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

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

IT Help

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.