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CLI2201 Climate Change and Variability

Semester 2, 2020 Online
Short Description: Climate Change and Variability
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Sciences
Student contribution band : Band 2
ASCED code : 010701 - Atmospheric Sciences
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Rationale

A better understanding of the world's climate system is essential in order to achieve sustainable development of our natural environment and to appreciate the impact of future climate change and variability. Insight comes from the physical mechanisms that drive our climate and its variability and are underpinning the development and application of climate system models. This course is designed to provide students with a sound understanding based on physical principles into the functioning of the climate system.

Synopsis

The course discusses the underlying physical processes and mechanism that drive the world's climate system and future climate change. Students examine the architecture and design of climate models ranging from simple energy balance models to complex climate system models. Insight is provided into the phenomena of climate change and variability and past climates of the planet on regional and global scales are investigated in the context of presently observed climatic changes. The course highlights examples of climate change and variability and historical approaches to adapting to climate change and harnessing the opportunities that arise from projecting climate variability and its application to managing economic activities. Access to the internet is required.

Objectives

On completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. describe general dynamics of the climate system on global scales;
  2. apply simple models based on physical processes of the climate system to study the response of climate to varying forcing;
  3. explain the physical processes that apply to the circulation of the ocean and atmosphere;
  4. describe non-seasonal climate mechanisms that lead to departures from anticipated climate pattern;
  5. describe the practical benefits of Climate Change and variability studies in areas such as agricultural climatology and applications;
  6. demonstrate an understanding of Climate Change forecasting.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. The global climate system 20.00
2. Physical processes in the climate system 25.00
3. Physical models of the climate system 25.00
4. Climate Forecasting 10.00
5. Climate Change and Variability in Australia 20.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=02&subject1=CLI2201)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

IPCC 2007, Working Group I Report, "The Physical Science Basis",
<>.
Sturman, A P and Tapper, N J 2006, The Weather and Climate of Australia and New Zealand, 2nd edn, Oxford 精东传媒app Press, Melbourne.

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
American Meteorological Society, Abstracts and Table of Contents, Journal of Physical Oceanography.
((available through USQ Library's e-library).)
American Meteorological Society, Journal of Climate.
((available through USQ Library's e-library).)
Royal Metrological Society, International Journal of Climatology.
((available through USQ Library's e-library).)
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science
(available through USQ Library's e-journal library.).
Nature Publishing Group, NATURE GEOSCIENCE
(available through USQ Library's e-journal library.).
Nature Publishing Group, NATURE
(available through USQ Library's e-journal library.).

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Directed 精东传媒app 52.00
Examinations 2.00
Private 精东传媒app 115.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
EXERCISES 1-5 100 20 13 Aug 2020
EXERCISES 6-10 100 20 08 Oct 2020
Take Home Exam 100 60 End S2 (see note 1)

Notes
  1. This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official Alternate Assessment Schedule has been released.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
    To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4).

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the weighted marks available for that assessment item.

    Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.

    To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2).

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.

  6. Examination information:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
    An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination). Students whose first language is not English, may, take an appropriate unmarked nonelectronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
    The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.

    Requirements after S2 2020:
    Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.

  8. 精东传媒app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. The due date for assessments is the date by which a student must despatch an assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item of assessment. This must be produced within 48 hours if required by the Examiner.

  2. Students who obtain an overall passing mark, but who do not perform satisfactorily in an examination, may, at the discretion of the examiner, be granted a supplementary examination.

  3. Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.

Date printed 6 November 2020