Unit Outline

Human-induced climate change is arguably the most serious problem currently facing our planet. Detecting and attributing 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 involving interactions between the 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 explore the complexities of Earth's climate system and the evidence of climate change. The unit is designed to provide you with comprehensive knowledge and skills in climate science through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical assignments. During this unit you will:

Learn about the fundamental components and interactions within Earth's climate system.

Understand the role of climate models in simulating past, present, and future climate conditions.

Analyse patterns and trends in climate data over different regions and timescales.

Study historical climate changes using proxy data and reconstructions.

Evaluate the effects of climate change on physical, biological, and human systems.

Develop skills in presenting scientific information graphically, quantitatively, qualitatively, and via oral presentations.

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

This unit has been redesigned with a mixed-delivery mode in mind. We have produced an action plan to improve student experience, and look forward to working with you.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Lecture (On Campus)	Two hour lectorial	2	Weekly
	Workshop	A 3 hour practical task, held eight times within the semester.	3	Study Period 8 times
	Other	Assignment and learning support will be available to all students via discussion boards and advertised drop-in zoom sessions for assignment help.	1	Study Period 4 times
Online	Workshop (Online)	3 hour workshop practical class, held eight times during semester, attendance mandatory.	3	Study Period 8 times
	Lecture (Online)	2 hour lecture, provided online.	2	Study Period 8 times
	Independent Learning	You should expect to spend between 3-5 hours per week to complete lecture pre-readings, assignment work, practical work and revision. An average of four hours per week is indicated in the table.	4	StudyPeriod 13 times

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Monash Simple Climate Model	Week 4	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Group oral presentation and discussion	Week 8	10 %	LO1, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Essay	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Workshop portfolio task	Refer to Assessment Description	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Monash Simple Climate Model

Task Description:

This assignment is based on your learning and understanding of how a climate model works and how different components of the climate system may interact with each other.

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. Please review MyLO for detailed assessment instructions prior to attending the prac. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the completion of this assessment task is discouraged. However, any use of AI as a learning tool must be in alignment with the UTAS guidelines on academic integrity.

Task Length:

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

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


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: 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.

Please attend the Climate Change Communication I and II pracs (weeks 9 and week 11) to work through the task with the lecturer/tutor. You will be working in groups to develop presentation. Please review MyLO for detailed assessment instructions prior to attending the prac. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the completion of this assessment task is discouraged. However, any use of AI as a learning tool must be in alignment with the UTAS guidelines on academic integrity.

Task Length:

10 minutes

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


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 3: Essay

Task Description:

You will prepare a typewritten essay on the climate impacts in your selected region.

You will be able to build into your essay graphs and plots created through the workshop portfolio tasks to support the regional case study.

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

To complete this assessment task (Climate Impacts Essay) it is important that you have attended Observations I, II, III and Future I, II, III pracs (weeks 3 to 8) to work through AT2 with the lecturer/tutor. You will utilise some of the climate impacts data analysis outputs from these pracs in your Climate Impacts Essay. Please review MyLO for detailed assessment instructions prior to attending the prac/s. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the completion of this assessment task is discouraged. However, any use of AI as a learning tool must be in alignment with the UTAS guidelines on academic integrity.

Task Length:

2,500-3,000 words plus figures and a separate reference list

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


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 4: Workshop portfolio task

Task Description:

This is a three-part task:
o Workshop task A (Climate observations)
o Workshop task B (Future climate data)
o Workshop task C (Peer review) – students are asked to provide concise yet informative feedback on their peer's work

You will compile a portfolio of workshop activities and analysis, including data interpretation and findings.

Your work will focus on your chosen regional case study. Please attend Observations I, II, III and Future I, II, III pracs (weeks 3 to 8) to work through the tasks with the lecturer/tutor. You will be working undertaking climate data analysis for a region Australia using R Studio. Please review MyLO for detailed assessment instructions prior to attending the pracs. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the completion of this assessment task is discouraged. However, any use of AI as a learning tool must be in alignment with the UTAS guidelines on academic integrity.

You may be asked to use software or IT products available through the university to produce this assignment.

Weighting for the portfolio is as follow:
Task A – 15%
Task B – 15%
Task C – 5%

Task distribution and descriptions will be provided during modularised workshops.

Due dates:
Task A – week 6
Task B – week 9
Task C – week 10

Task Length:

Task A: Up to 6 pages, with a balance of text, figures, graphs to describe the selected region. Task B: Up to 6 pages, with a balance of text, figures, graphs to describe the selected region. Task C: Students are asked to answer 5 questions about their peer’s work.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	You will apply basic climate principles	LO1, LO4
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
4	You will provide concise and critical feedback on your peer's work.	LO2, LO5

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.