Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit investigates the physical basis of the climate system and mechanisms of anthropogenic climate change and variability. Importance is placed on the role of the land surface in the climate system including the carbon cycle, land use change and urbanisation. Processes such as the greenhouse effect, aerosols, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, climate feedbacks and rapid climate change are examined. Paleo, historical and climate model data are presented and assessed. Likely future climate changes are addressed and option for adaptation and mitigation for human society.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face Semester 1 Albany Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 core unit in the Environmental Science; Geographical Sciences; Environmental Science and Management; Marine and Coastal Processes; Environmental Science and Ecology; Geographical and Spatial Science major sequences
- Level 2 option in the Social and Environmental Sustainability major sequence
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) know the physical basis of the climate system and mechanisms of anthropogenic climate change and variability; (2) interpret land surface data from measurement of key Australian ecosystems; (3) understand the changes in climate over the past, present and future; (4) communicate climate change and appreciate skepticism; and (5) synthesise the physical understanding of the climate system and feedbacks witihin.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) practical exercise or practical report for each of 5 practical's total to take place approximately one every two weeks, with one in the first two weeks. and (2) a research report based on interpreting land surface data from a key Australian ecosystem. To be written as scientific paper including abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion and conclusion using real life climate data (2500 words) .. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Jason Beringer
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
practicals/tutorials: 2 hours per week - Texts
Online material including IPCC report.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.