Module GEOG2571: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Department: Geography

GEOG2571: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide a sound theoretical understanding of the role of key components of the climate system, and how climate has changed through time
• To introduce students to the use of models in understanding environmental change
• Emphasis is placed on understanding spatial and temporal variability in the modern system before exploring the evidence for past change, the possible mechanisms behind these changes, and the implications of these changes to past, present, and future global climates

Content

• Concepts in climatology, general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans, the influence of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) on global climate
• The importance of biogeochemical cycles in the climate system with particular reference to the 'carbon pump'
• Mechanisms of change - Milankovitch Theory and the role of oceans in the glacial - interglacial cyclicity of the past several million years. Sub - millennial to decadal climate change and, during the last glacial cycle, the role of solar radiation in climate change
• Introduction to temporal and spatial scales in the climate system, ranging from 100s of millions of years to annual temporal scales, and from global to local spatial scales
• Recent advances in modelling the climate system, for example Global Circulation Models
• The quantitative reconstruction using marine and terrestrial proxies for climate
• Natural vs. Anthropogenic variability
• The science of global warming, implications of change and global policy

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate the complexity, and identify the major components of the climate system
• Demonstrate awareness of past patterns of climate change operating on different spatial and temporal scales
• Recognise the impact on the climate system at different spatial and temporal scales of current human activities
• Assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and policies, critically judging and evaluating evidence

• Understand and analyse key climatic proxies
• Use simple models to develop understanding of climate change

• Group working
• Presentation skills
• Data analysis

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The core of the material is presented during 25 hours of lectures, supported with handouts and reading lists
• Key concepts will be introduced in lectures
• Workshops will allow a more detailed exploration of some of these aspects
• Independent learning will be facilitated by asking students to investigate an important aspect of the climate system for one of the 5 seminars (1 hour each)
• The main (67%) element of assessment is a two hour, unseen written paper, this will test the understanding of basic facts and concepts covered in the course
• The rest of the assessment is based on an individual project report on climate modelling or analysis of climatic data
• The project will be assessed by a 5 page report which will include the data analysis, interpretation and a written discussion
• This will test the students' individual learning and research skills - ability to analyse data, investigate material from a range of sources, and combine these to form a consistent and concise argument

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

In line with Board of Studies policy for all Level 2 optional modules, formative assessment is provided through formative feedback on summative coursework

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University