Overview

This topic covers the definition of climate, climate variability and climate change within geological, historical, and future time frames. It introduces students to climatic classifications, the composition and structure of the atmosphere, radiation balances and the Greenhouse effect, surface heat fluxes, the general circulation of the atmosphere, the hydrological cycle, … For more content click the Read More button below.

Topic availabilities

To view topic availabilities, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.

Tuition pattern

To view tuition patterns, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.

Aims

This topic aims to develop:

  • An understanding of processes that establish climate globally, regionally, and locally
  • An appreciation of the factors that modify climate, including extreme events triggered by geological processes and by climate itself
  • An understanding of the context of modern climates in relation to past ones
  • A capacity to understand the contemporary debate about anthropogenic effects in climate change in the context of scientific evidence

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Demonstrate a basic scientific understanding of all issues relating to past and contemporary climate and climate change
2.
Evaluate arguments about climate change in an informed and scientific way of the effects of human activity on climate
3.
interpret the results of simple climate models for assessing the effects of changes to principal driving factors

Assessments

To view assessment information, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.

Current students should refer to FLO for detailed assessment information, including due dates. Assessment information is accurate at the time of publishing.

For policy details, visit Assessments

Requisites information

Anti-requisites: