Unit Outline

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 trends in climate. Earth's climate is 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 predicting the effects and impacts of human induced climate change. In this unit you will learn how Earth's climate works. We will begin to understand mechanisms underpinning important known natural climate variations such as El Nino Southern Oscillation. To achieve these ends, we examine global climate observations (in situ and by satellite), estimations of past climate variability; learn about global and regional climate models; consider detection and attribution techniques to discern human induced climate change above natural variability; the impacts of climate change on human and biological systems; and examine recent statements by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on human induced climate change.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

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


1	Analyse interactions and feedbacks in climate systems and under climate change
2	Evaluate spatial and temporal climate variability and trends using climate model simulations, historical and palaeoclimatic data
3	Evaluate the impacts of climate change on physical, biological and human systems
4	Obtain scientific information and present it graphically, quantitatively, qualitatively and via oral presentation
5	Work constructively in groups to produce scientific outputs

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KGA204 OR KSA205 OR KPZ211

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT TASK 1:	Monash Simple Climate Model	Week 5	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:	Lecture quiz	Week 6	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:	Introduction to paleoclimatology: tree rings	Week 7	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5
ASSESSMENT TASK 4:	Group oral presentation and discussion	Week 8	10 %	LO1, LO4, LO5
ASSESSMENT TASK 5:	Essay	Week 12	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 6:	Report - climate topic of choice	Week 15	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Monash Simple Climate Model

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Your output for this task will be typewritten answers to multi-part questions based on the Monash Simple Climate Model.

You may be asked to prepare your report using software or IT products available through the university.

TASK LENGTH:

Maximum of four (4) pages, with a balance of text, figures and references where appropriate

DUE DATE:

Week 5

WEIGHT:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	You will select appropriate model setup and execute correctly to answer specified questions	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	You present correct results to answer specified questions	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	You critically reflect and justify your answers	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Lecture quiz

TASK DESCRIPTION:

One online (MyLO) quiz with short answer (approx. 100 -150 word) questions.

TASK LENGTH:

Timed assessment, 60 minutes duration.

DUE DATE:

Week 6

WEIGHT:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	You fully and adequately answer short answer questions about lecture topics	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Introduction to paleoclimatology: tree rings

TASK DESCRIPTION:

You will learn about some aspects of developing palaeoclimate information. Your output for this task will be typewritten answers, including graphs and statistical output, to multi-part questions.

TASK LENGTH:

Maximum of five (5) pages of text. Relevant figures may be additional.

DUE DATE:

Week 7

WEIGHT:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	You will apply basic dendrochronological principles	LO1, LO4, LO5
2	You will present results including written answers, graphs and statistical outputs	LO2, LO4, LO5
3	You will critically reflect and justify answers using peer-reviewed data sources	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Group oral presentation and discussion

TASK DESCRIPTION:

You will produce a 10-minute group presentation describing basic climate system information on a topic provided to you. You will then present this in an engaging way that non-experts can understand.

TASK LENGTH:

10 minutes

DUE DATE:

Week 8

WEIGHT:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	You clearly define and explain the purpose of your presentation	LO4, LO5
2	You clearly articulate your scientific argument	LO1, LO4, LO5
3	You collaborate effectively with your peers to conjointly deliver the presentation	LO5
4	The content and messaging of your presentation is appropriate for the scenario audience	LO4

Assessment Task 5: Essay

TASK DESCRIPTION:

You will prepare a typewritten essay that is partly based upon work completed during practical sessions.

You may be asked to prepare your report using software or IT products available through the university.

TASK LENGTH:

2000 words

DUE DATE:

Week 12

WEIGHT:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	You will explain and evaluate the expected impact of some aspect of climate change on local biophysical systems by applying basic climate concepts and modelling	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	You will present scientific information graphically, following scientific conventions	LO4

Assessment Task 6: Report - climate topic of choice

TASK DESCRIPTION:

This is a two part task. You will choose a topic in consultation with the unit coordinator. Part (a) is the provision of a report plan or outline at the end of week 13, and then (b) is a final report is due end of week 15.

You may be asked to prepare their report using software or IT products available through the university.

TASK LENGTH:

2500-3000 words plus figures and references

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late Penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required resources

Required Reading Materials

IPCC 2021 Summary for Policy Makers in Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Masson-Delmotte V, Zhai P, Pirani A, Connors SL, Pèan C, Berger S, Caud N, Chen Y, Goldfarb L, Gomis MI, Huang M, Leitzell K, Lonnoy E, Matthews JBR, Maycock TK, Waterfield T, Yelekci O, Yu R (Eds) Cambridge University Press. 41pp

IPCC 2022 Summary for Policy Makers, in AR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The Working Group II Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report Pörtner H-O, Roberts DC, Tignor M, Poloczanska ES, Mintenbeck K, Alergia A, Caig M, Langsdorf S, Löschke S, Möller V, Okem A, Rama (Eds) Cambridge University Press

Chapters 2-6 and 11 also pertinent.