Our Changing Climate
UndergraduateTAS-KGA3202023
Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Our Changing Climate
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Analyse interactions and feedbacks in climate systems and under climate change
- Evaluate spatial and temporal climate variability and trends using climate model simulations, historical and palaeoclimatic data
- Evaluate the impacts of climate change on physical, biological and human systems
- Obtain scientific information and present it graphically, quantitatively, qualitatively and via oral presentation
- Work constructively in groups to produce scientific outputs
- Week 1 - Introduction
- Week 2 - Concepts and Earth’s mean climate
- Week 3 - Introduction to climate system Modelling
- Week 4 - Climate observations
- Week 5 - The Human Influence on the Climate System; IPCC
- Week 6 - Detection and attribution
- Week 7 - The Cryosphere Ice Sheet Modelling
- Week 8 - Paleo climate change
- Week 9 - The Biosphere Marine + Terrestrial
- Week 10 - Climate variability
- Week 11 - Climate extremes
- Week 12 - Communicating climate change
- Week 13 - Climate change impacts on ecological/natural systems
- Week 14 - Summary and the future
Human induced climate change is arguably the most serious problem currently facing our planet. Detection and attribution of human-induced climate change requires an understanding of the mechanisms of natural climate variability as well as trends in climate. Earth's climate is a coupled system between atmosphere, ocean, land surface, biota, snow and ice. Gaining an understanding of how our climate system works is an important first step to more confidently diagnosing and predicting the effects and impacts of human induced climate change.
In this subject you will learn how Earth's climate works. We will begin to understand mechanisms underpinning important known natural climate variations such as El Nino Southern Oscillation. To achieve these ends, we examine global climate observations (in situ and by satellite), estimations of past climate variability; learn about global and regional climate models; consider detection and attribution techniques to discern human induced climate change above natural variability; the impacts of climate change on human and biological systems; and examine recent statements by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on human induced climate change.
- Introduction to Paleoclimatology: Tree Rings (15%)
- Essay (20%)
- Lecture Quiz (10%)
- Group Oral Presentation and Discussion (10%)
- Monash Simple Climate Model (10%)
- Report - Climate Topic of Choice (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Science (Sustainability)
UndergraduateTAS-SUS-DEG
Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment)
UndergraduateTAS-SCG-DEG
Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-BBS-DEG
Bachelor of Science (Psychological Science)
UndergraduateTAS-PSS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-PSC-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.