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Climate Modelling and Climate Change (ERTH90026)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2020
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
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This subject describes the physics of the climate system, and how the system is represented in numerical models.
Key aspects include:
- Radiation balance and heat balance of the earth
- Carbon dioxide, water vapour and other Greenhouse Gas absorption spectra
- Other key climate drivers including solar variability, aerosols and clouds
- The global carbon cycle and the modelling of other greenhouse gases
- Impacts of climate change including sea level rise and extreme events
It covers aspects of uncertainty and chaos to understand why climate models are imperfect but invaluable tools. Students will build a simple climate model and run numerical experiments with different greenhouse gases. Existing knowledge in python programming is recommended but can be acquired throughout the course. The subject will also briefly discuss the processes of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The 12 lectures cover the following themes: 1. Introduction; 2. Radiative forcing; 3. Climate feedbacks; 4. Carbon & gas cycles; 5. Oceans & sea level rise; 6. Aerosols & Clouds; 7. Variability and El Nino*; 8. Water Cycle and Extremes; 9. Ensemble & probabilistic projections, D&A; 10. Scenarios, carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management; 11. Climate Targets, carbon budgets and the Paris Agreement*; 12. Wrap Up
The lectures are accompanied with weekly exercises that provide students with hands-on conceptual learning, modelling and data analysis experience.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Debate the reality of climate change in both a qualitative and quantitative manner
- Develop and apply simplified climate models and make projections of future climate change
- Assess different climate models currently in use, including quantification of uncertainty and its implications for future projections
- Critically examine existing literature, its gaps and limitations on various aspects of the climate system
Generic skills
- The ability to communicate effectively with the science community at large and general public
- Understanding the process of scientific research with modelling and data challenges and uncertainties
- Learning to critically think about concepts, their nuances and the importance of precise definitions.
- Understanding the depth and complexity of key scientific concepts that inform national and international policy making on climate change.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission to a Masters level program.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is strongly recommended that students have either pre-existing programming knowledge or the willingness to acquire programming skills over the course of the subject (specifically python).
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.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
4 Assignments with mixed essays and programming/data analysis tasks (750 words per essay, plus programming parts) in Weeks 3, 5, 7 and 9
| From Week 3 to Week 9 | 50% |
Exam
| End of semester | 50% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
The two texts recommended as preparation for this subject are:
a) The Technical summary of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report AR5, available here: http://ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg1/WG1AR5_TS_FINAL.pdf and
b) An introduction to python programming of your choice, e.g. the Google Python Class, available here: https://developers.google.com/edu/python/
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Environmental Science Course Master of Energy Systems - 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022