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Weather and Climate Extremes (ATOC90016)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2021
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
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Extreme weather and climate events have large impacts on people and the environment. It is vital that these events are well predicted on weather forecasting timescales to limit the damages they cause. It is also important that the characteristics of these events in a changing climate are well understood so that we can be prepared for future climate extremes. This course will focus on how weather and climate extremes are characterised locally and internationally, how they have changed and how they will change under global warming. The processes that lead to these events and how they are forecast will also be explained. Statistical techniques for analysing extremes will be introduced. This course will also include discussion of how extremes are communicated in terms of mitigating risks for forecast events.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Describe processes that are important to different extreme weather and climate events, including heatwaves, localised extreme rain events, and droughts;
- Use weather observations and model simulations to identify and characterise extremes;
- Apply statistical techniques to the analysis of extremes, including generalised extreme value theory, with an understanding of the strengths and limitations of different approaches;
- Understand the potential impact of climate change on future weather and climate extremes at a national and international scale.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain skills in:
- Developing the ability to exercise critical judgement;
- Rigorous and independent thinking;
- Problem-solving for new or unfamiliar tasks;
- Developing computer programming skills transferable to other applications;
- High-level written report and oral presentation skills.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10006 | Calculus 2 |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10010 | Data Analysis 1 | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90044 | Thinking and Reasoning with Data | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ATOC20001 | Weather and Climate Systems | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ATOC30004 | Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
ATOC30006 | Modern and Future Climate | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ATOC30008 | Atmospheric Processes and Composition | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
or equivalent second or third year study of quantitative atmospheric or climate science
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
COMP90059 | Introduction to Programming |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Online)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
or equivalent programming experience
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Report 1
| Week 4 | 10% |
Report 2
| Week 11 | 30% |
Oral presentation
| Week 11 | 20% |
Written exam
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2021
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022