University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised October 2005)
Code: USSJPK-20-2 Title: Climate Change Version: 1
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field: Natural & Life Sciences
Valid from: 2008 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
demonstrate an understanding of the complexities associated with the Earth’s climate system and its contribution to the Earth system;
describe the factors that have affected the Earth’s climate since its formation some 4.6 billion years ago;
discuss the importance and role of natural and anthropogenic influences on the climate system over long and short time-scales;
understand some of the uncertainties associated with climate change prediction;
discuss the potential impacts of climate change on the Earth’s environments and ecosystems;
critically evaluate and analyse information from a variety of sources to develop an in-depth understanding of a specific climate change topic.
Syllabus outline:
This module introduces the science underpinning climate change. This includes the role of our atmosphere and its part in the Earth system, as well as the mechanisms and processes that contribute to the heating of the Earth’s atmosphere. More specifically the greenhouse effect, blackbody radiation, the layer model, energy balance, heat fluxes, greenhouse gases, the temperature structure of the atmosphere, heat winds and currents and feedback mechanisms. Climate variability over time will be introduced and the role of climate reconstruction to visualise climatic changes from the last 100 M years to more recent centuries will be addressed.
A systems based approach will be adopted and therefore the module will cover the cycling of matter such as the carbon cycle, the human perturbation of climate, climate forcing agents and aerosol forcing of climate. Students will be introduced to climate models that simulate current climate and climate change.
Students will discuss a range of contemporary issues such as: predicting climate change; what will our future climate look like? How will climate change impact on the environment (ecosystems) and humans (social-economic considerations)? The certainty/uncertainty of climate change predictions, and how these uncertainties are managed in relation to risk, will be introduced.
Teaching and learning methods:
A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be employed. The module will be delivered using lectures, workshops and field visits. Workshops will provide students the opportunity to acquire data handling and problem solving skills. Lectures will be used to introduce main concepts and to guide and inform student centred learning. Student learning will be supported through audio-visual material including on-line learning through the University's E-Learning Environment, Blackboard. CD-ROMs and interactive material will be provided. A culture of continuous learning will be developed through the implementation of regular study guides which discuss identified topics in-depth. All sessions will be used to inform and provoke critical thinking and awareness. These will also provide essential background information. Students will be required to develop their research skills via literature searching and technical writing in identified climate change topics.
The module places considerable emphasis on recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles. Students will also collect and integrate several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses as well as reference work in an appropriate manner. Students will prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages. The module includes analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically.
Reading Strategy
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
Indicative Reading List:
Books
Archer, D. (2007) Global Warming; Understanding the Forecast. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.
Stern, N. (2007) The Economics of Climate Change – The Stern Review. Cambridge University Press.
Kemp, D. (2004) Exploring Environmental Issues; An integrated approach. Routledge, London.
Journals
Atmospheric Environment – Institutional access. Available to all students via from Science Direct. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13522310)
Energy and Environment – Institutional access. Available to all students via Ingenta Connect Online. (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mscp/ene)
Climatic Change – Institutional access. Available to all students via Springer Link.
(http://www.springerlink.com/content/100247/)
Online Resources
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (http://www.ipcc.ch/)
Indicators of Climate Change in the UK (http://www.ecn.ac.uk/iccuk/)
European Commission on Climate Change (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm)
British Broadcasting Corporation (www.bbc.co.uk)
Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research (www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/hadleycentre/)
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
EX2 2 hour examination 1
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
ES1 Essay (1500 words) 1
WR1 Written report (1500 words) 1
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
EX2 2 hour examination 1
Component B
ES1 Extended essay (3000 words) 1
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)
Academic Registry
October 2005