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Climate Science for Decision-Making (ATOC90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject focuses on how to access and understand basic climate science and data and how to accurately communicate to a broader audience. The subject covers the fundamentals of climate science, including the physics and chemistry of climate change, future climate projections, climate extremes, and the interactions between the atmosphere and land, forests and the oceans. The subject also interrogates how global changes in climate lead to impacts on society, ecosystems, and economies. The subject has a particular focus on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. To develop practical skills, students will make use of these scientific reports and concepts learnt in class to prepare short assessments that clearly and concisely communicate and translate aspects of climate science. The course culminates in a negotiation session where students take on the role of a state representative within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Identify the key components of the climate system, including their feedbacks, complexity and variability across a range of time-scales;
- Discuss the relevance of climate data, scenarios and uncertainties to decision-making;
- Analyse climate impacts on human and natural systems;
- Navigate and discuss climate science presented in the IPCC Assessment Reports, scientific peer-reviewed literature and the media;
- Debate differing international perspectives and policy options pertaining to climate issues; and
- Analyse and differentiate between climate policy positions based on varying understandings and uses of climate science.
Generic skills
- Demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry and analysis and the ability to apply these in a negotiation setting
- Apply a strong sense of intellectual integrity and ethics of scholarship
- Produce high-level writing and verbal communication
- Think critically and creatively, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- Critically examine, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a range of disciplines
- Analyse and prepare evidence to support informed decision-making
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Short written assessments (2) on topics covered in class (1,000 words each) Due Weeks 6 and 10
| Throughout the semester | 40% |
Final assignment
| End of semester | 40% |
Participation in a negotiation session held during the final seminar
| Week 12 | 20% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Malte Meinshausen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours One 3-hour participatory seminar per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Students will be expected to devote 170 hours of study to this subject over the semester, including assessments and readings.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- 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.
- 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: 31 January 2024