Enrolments for 2023 have closed.
Introduction to the Science of Climate Change
Undergraduate | TAS-KGA104 | 2023
Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Explore climate change’s effects on nature and people, on local and global levels. Guided by climate experts, scientists, and modellers, you’ll cover key climate science concepts. Understand the science, assess the urgency, and take action.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed,
- No prior study
- Duration
- 14 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to the Science of Climate Change
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Explain the drivers and impacts of climate change and climate variability at different times-scales, using key climate science concepts
- Describe the information we get from global and regional climate models and the importance of accounting for uncertainty in planning for the future
- Explain the science of climate change using evidence-based information in a range of formats (verbally, short written pieces and graphically)
- Discuss the impacts of climate change on physical, biological and human systems on local and global levels
- Week 1 - Why study climate change now? (Dr Bec Harris)
- Week 2 - Climate science concepts (Dr Nick Earl)
- Week 3 - Natural climate variability (Dr Nick Earl)
- Week 4 - Human influence on the climate system (Dr Bec Harris)
- Week 5 - Understanding future climate (Dr Nick Earl)
- Week 6 - Climate science communication (Dr Gabi Mocatta)
- Week 7 - Climate tipping points and feedback loops (Dr Noel Pedro)
- Week 8 - Earth’s climate regulation systems (Dr Bec Harris)
- Week 9 - Current climate change impacts/weather patterns (Dr Nick Earl)
- Week 10 - Extreme events (Dr Tom Remenyi)
- Week 11 - Climate change and biodiversity (Dr Bec Harris)
- Week 12 - Climate change and human systems (Dr Gabi Mocatta)
- Week 13 - Local impacts of a global problem (Dr Tom Remenyi)
Human-induced climate change is the most serious problem currently facing our planet - a global problem with increasingly obvious local impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that the next 10 years will be critical to averting catastrophic climate change. The science is complex, but there is strong international consensus around much of our climate change knowledge. Gaining an understanding of the science of climate change and appreciating where the certainty and uncertainty lie are important first steps to more confidently engaging in the action that is so urgently required.
In this subject, you will learn why scientists are so certain that climate change is occurring, is caused by humans, and is causing impacts on human and other natural systems. Tasmania has a global reputation as a centre for climate research, and UTas has many internationally renowned researchers working in diverse disciplines with relevance to climate impacts and adaptation. We will hear from many of these experts, including IPCC authors, regional climate modellers and climate impact scientists.
- Timeline (20%)
- 5-Minute Video Presentation (40%)
- Short Report (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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UndergraduateTAS-SUS-DIP
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