Unit information: Environmental Change 4 in 2015/16

Unit name	Environmental Change 4
Unit code	GEOGM1110
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Andy Ridgwell
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	GEOG35240 Environmental Change 3
Co-requisites	Other B syllabus units
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will provide hands-on learning in and a chance to explore the dynamics of the Earth’s climate system as well as of global carbon cycling and the biogeochemical impacts of fossil fuel CO2 emissions. Learning will be facilitated through a mix of interactive seminars, with personal research and literature review, and practical work, together with a strong emphasis on computer model based practical classes using a real research-grade Earth system model.

The cumulating objectives of the Unit will be to develop a deeper understanding of the role and nature of feedbacks in the Earth system and provide context to the impacts of current human activities. The Unit will also and importantly, foster a critical appreciation of the nature and limitations of climate and Earth system modelling in understanding and predicting global change.

Unit aims:

• Develop an appreciation regarding the regulation of atmospheric trace gas composition.
• Develop an appreciation regarding the links between global biogeochemical cycles and climate.
• Develop an appreciation regarding Earth use of global environmental model in exploring topical questions and concerns, particularly of ocean acidification and geoengineeringsystem function and controls on climate, both past and future and how past climates are reconstructed.
• Develop an in-depth appreciation of the use of computer models in environmental science as well as their limitations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Unit, students will have gained knowledge in:

• The role and nature of feedbacks in the climate system, and how climate is "regulated".
• The relationship between global carbon cycling and climate and associated feedbacks.
• The biogeochemical consequences of continuing fossil fuel CO2 emissions.
• How to utilize numerical models to address scientific questions and test hypotheses.
• The limitations of numerical models of climate and global carbon cycling.

This Unit will provide transferable skills in:

• Written communication.
• Data analysis and presentation.
• Computer modelling techniques.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.

Teaching Information

Lecturer-led seminars with student input and computing tuition: 5 x 1 hour sessions

Computer practical classes: 5 x 3 hour sessions

Assessment Information

Group oral presentation of the 'snowball Earth' computer modelling practical exercise = 20%

Model investigation report: 3000 words max (Nature Article format). The will consist of a write-up of the a computer model based research exercise into the causes of low glacial CO2 = 80%

Reading and References

Surface Ocean--Lower Atmospheres Processes, Eds. C. Le Quéré and E. S. Saltzman, AGU Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 187, 350 pp.