| Unit name | Climate forensics: Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere |
|---|---|
| Unit code | GEOG30033 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Ganesan |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will employ a data-driven approach to detecting changes in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the underlying causes of those changes. We adopt a forensic approach to data at a variety of spatial and temporal scales, playing the role of ‘detectives’, seeking clues to sources, sinks, tipping points and thresholds in the Earth system. The unit will be delivered through 12 lectures and six 2-hour practical exercises, thus focusing strongly on gaining hands-on experience with the types of data discussed in the lectures. In addition, due to the nature of this topic featuring prominently in policy and the media, the unit engages with material from newspapers, podcasts, policy documents as well as research articles.
Aims:
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit explores topics in the Earth's Climate and Geographic Data Science themes. This unit is data-driven and, in combination with lectures, allows students to use real-data to diagnose the underlying causes of greenhouse gas changes. It also develops student understanding of the major role that this topic plays in the media and in policy.
An overview of content
Data will be used to investigate changes in the Earth system both in the past and present.
Using modern data, students will learn how we quantify sources and sinks of greenhouse gases using modern day measurement and analytical techniques, the results of which inform climate policies such as the Paris Agreement the Montreal Protocol. The lectures and practicals introduce students to the datasets and how they are used to “fingerprint” sources and sinks, and to satellite data which provide the most detailed picture on greenhouse gases in the observational record. Case studies are presented which exemplify how measurement technology and data are used to detect changes in our emissions, and inform policy action.
In the past, direct data is not always available, so the scientific community must rely on indirect, or proxy, records of CO2 and temperature. This section of the course focuses on the measurement strategies used to detect changes in greenhouse gases and climate in past states of the Earth system.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this Unit students should be able to:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will develop skills in the following areas:
The unit will be taught through a combination of in-person teaching and online activities, including:
This unit will focus on the detection of changes in the Earth system, an area of strategic importance in the University and more widely across the UK and beyond. The unit emphasises practical exercises, thus focusing very strongly on gaining hands-on experience with the types of data discussed in the lectures. In addition, due to the nature of this topic featuring prominently in policy and the media, the unit engages with material from newspapers, podcasts, policy documents as well as research articles. Students’ knowledge will be developed through cutting-edge examples and case studies in this very active research area, providing third year students with strong research-led teaching. Such data-driven courses allow students to gain vital practical experience working with datasets, simple models, and applying these techniques to areas recognised by the UK to have strategic importance.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
An essay that summarises the state-of-the-art research into a particular aspect of either past or present Earth system change detection.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay (plus figures) (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
This work is expected to draw upon and synthesise material from both sections of the course. This essay will examine students’ understanding of how data is used to detect changes in the climate andEarth system and will utilise themes that cut across the two elements of the unit.
When assessment does not go to plan
Reassessments will be set in the same format as the original assessment, but with an altered question.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GEOG30033).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
