Global Climate Change (IE 5513) – 15 credits

Delivered by the Institute for the Environment, in term 1 (3 hours/week for 12 weeks)

Main aims of the module:
To develop an understanding of

the processes which cause environmental change, especially rapid climatic change
methods of measurement of environmental change, and how future change is predicted
the complex nature of interactions between humans and the environment

Main topics of study:

Relationship between climate and biophysical and social systems
Instrumental record of climate and what it reveals about variability and reliability of climate
Past global changes, including past climates and societal responses
Climate models and predictions of future climates
Future impacts: biophysical systems, agriculture, human health, resources, energy usage
Rapid change caused by natural hazard processes

Learning activities:
Lectures, field and laboratory practical sessions, data collection, analysis and interpretation, group work, report writing

Assessment methods:
Written exam
Written field observation and laboratory report
Written site visit report