Climate Change Science
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BIOS2013 | Biosciences | 2 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- BIOS2013
- School
- Biosciences
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The module presents a broad overview of the science behind climate change and its effects. These topics are: historical climate change; the principles of climate forcing; the role of modelling; responses of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including impacts on humans; the political environment; and options for climate stabilization.
Target Students
The module is most appropriate for BSc Environmental Science, Environmental Biology, Biology and Geography students but is not restricted to them.
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar
- One 1-hour practicum
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 7 weeks
- One 3-hour computing
- One 2-hour computing
Assessment
- 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): ExamSys exam
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To give a general understanding of the science issues that underpin climate change.To show the importance of historical understanding in interpreting the present and predicting the future.To give an understanding of the energy flows that are causing climate change, and insights into the way that computer models can be used to relate complex parameter sets.To review the impacts of climate change for plants, animals and people, both on land and in the oceans.To show how a range of options exists for reducing and stabilising climate change.Learning Outcomes
- The students will have detailed knowledge of processes controlling the global climate.
- The students will be able to understand sources of and interpretation of records of past climates.
- The students will be able to discuss how climate change impacts on the Earth system over different time scales.
- The students will be able to synthesis and present information from the published literature.
Conveners
Last updated 07/01/2025.