Unit information: Climate Change: Science and Impacts in 2012/13

Unit name	Climate Change: Science and Impacts
Unit code	GEOGM1405
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Valdes
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	All core Term 1 units for the MSc in Environmental Policy and Management
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides an introduction to the science and impacts of climate change. It will review the basic science of climate change, and the methodologies used to make predictions of the future. It will also discuss the impact of these changes on all aspects of society and the resulting adaptation and mitigation challenges. Throughout the course, there will be emphasis on understanding the certainties and uncertainties. The interaction between climate scientists and policy and the media will also be discussed. There will also be an opportunity to analyse climate model outputs to better understand the processes and methods involved.

Assessment Information

1. One 1000 word practical report describing results from a climate model simulation completed towards the middle of the unit. (30%)
2. One 2000 word essay completed towards the end of the unit, describing and analysing a topic associated with a recent or current debate on climate change and associated issues. (60%)
3. A group-based 20 min oral presentation (with 10 min question time) on an adaptation or mitigation issue .This will take place at the end of the unit (10% in total)