Global Climate Change In Context (GEOG90026)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Off Campus
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
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Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | November - Off Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines the nature and causes of past changes in Earth’s climate during the Quaternary Period (the last 2.7 million years), with a particular emphasis on the last glacial-interglacial cycle. It aims to place modern climate and the projections of future global warming into a longer-term perspective, and will allow students to understand why human interference in the climate system may be a legitimate cause for concern. Emphasis is placed on how Earth materials (ice, rocks, sediments, biological materials) record past climate changes, the techniques used to extract this ‘palaeoenvironmental information’, and the principles that govern how this information is interpreted.
A series of lectures covering the theoretical elements of the subject will immediately precede 10 days of field study (in either Tasmania, mainland SE Australia or New Zealand). The field component focuses on how particular environments (e.g. coastal, lake, fluvial, cave, and glacial) preserve evidence of past climate change. Additional lectures and practicals following completion of the field work will focus on the types of analytical methods employed in this field, the nature of the data that are produced and how these are processed and interpreted. By the end of the subject, students will not only appreciate the dynamics of Earth’s past climate and the mechanisms that have forced it, but also the way in which we practice this important and growing field of study.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students will have a comprehensive understanding of:
- The nature of past climate changes, i.e. the frequency, magnitude and geographic extent;
- The range of driving mechanisms of past climate changes, particularly how they vary according to the time scales considered;
- The advantages and weaknesses of the various 'palaeoclimate archives';
- How specific environments and materials preserve evidence of past climate changes; and
- How the current global warming debate fits into the longer-term perspective of climate change.
Students will also gain extensive skills in the following:
- Hands-on field and laboratory experience in the identification, sampling and analysis of a range of important palaeoclimate archives;
- Critical analysis of the key literature and current debates on past climates; and
- Producing, organising, analysing and interpreting palaeoclimate data.
Generic skills
Upon completion of this subject, students should have:
- The ability to comprehend some of the current debates in the relevant fields;
- Software skills, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more specialised software;
- Illustrate an understanding many of the key issues facing many of Australia’s near neighbours;
- Develop an understanding of small island state landscape and environmental issues;
- Oral presentation skills; and
- Group field and research activities .
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG30023 | Global Climate Change in Context | November (Off Campus) |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
At least some background in Physical Geography and/or Earth Science is strongly recommended. That is, students are expected to have completed one or more 2 nd yr physical geography/earth science subjects. Interested students who are unsure if they possess sufficient academic background are welcome to contact the coordinator for advice.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Research Assignment
| The day before the field work commences | 30% |
Computer based practicals due after completion of each session
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Individual Field report
| Six weeks after the field trip | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must complete, or have previously completed, the online Geography learning module. | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- November - Off Campus
Principal coordinator Russell Drysdale Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 21 November 2022 to 9 December 2022 Last self-enrol date 29 July 2022 Census date 2 December 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 December 2022 Assessment period ends 23 December 2022 November contact information
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 23 students (in undergraduate and post-graduate offering) applies to this subject.
For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-study/quota-subjects
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities. Students undertake field trip experiences that will require them to be physically capable of undertaking outdoor field work in remote locations.
Students must complete, or have previously completed, the online Geography learning module.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Incidental costs
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Environmental Science Course Master of Geography - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Quota limit applied - UoM students will be given preference over CAP applicants
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 31 January 2024