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Climate Affairs (ATOC90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Climate change is one of the most important environmental issues facing the world today. This subject will cover the basics of climate science, including climate change and climate variability, extremes, and climate prediction. This will be accompanied by an analysis of climate impacts on society, ecosystems and economies. Knowledge about the climate system in order to make sound decisions will be analysed. Climate policy and law at the national level (eg National Greenhouse Strategy) and international level (e.g., UN conventions) will be discussed. The relevance to societies, people and the environment will be covered under the umbrella topic of climate ethics, including issues such as potential winners and losers from climate change, intergenerational equity and instruments of protection.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Explain the climate system, its complexity and variability across a range of time-scales
- Explain the greenhouse effect and its relation to longer term climate variations and climate chang
- Apply these principles to describe climate change, feedbacks and impacts on human and natural systems
- Critique climate science presented in scientific peer-reviewed literature and the media
- Debate differing ethical, cultural and international perspectives and policy options pertaining to climate issues
Generic skills
Upon successful completion of this subject students should have obtained the following skills:
- Demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry and analysis
- Apply a strong sense of intellectual integrity and ethics of scholarship
- Produce high level writing and communication
- Be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- To examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
- Generate constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Practical work and team based activities will be key parts of the subject and the assessment process.
Assessment is expected to be based approximately on the following:
- Review paper (2500 words) and presentation in class 30% (due week 11 and 13)
- Team projects (output delivered in class) 35% (due week 4 and week 12)
- Practical assignment(s) 35% (regularly throughout semester)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Robyn Schofield Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours One 2-hour lecture and one 2-hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated Total Time Commitment - 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
TBA
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022