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MT4YB-Climate Change

Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 7
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Professor KP Shine
Pre-requisites: MT24A MT24B
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: k.p.shine@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
This module aims to develop an understanding of observations of changes in atmospheric composition and climate change in the recent past, quantify the extent to which these changes are understood, examine the degree to which these changes are due to human activity and natural variations, and investigate predictions of future climate change.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, a student should be able to:

  • Understand how the Earth's climate has changed in the recent past
  • Understand how human activity has caused a change in atmospheric composition, and the sources of uncertainty in our understanding
  • Describe the hierarchy of climate models used to understand the observed changes, explain the degree to which past changes can be attributed to human and natural causes and understand the limitations of the models
  • Demonstrate knowledge of predictions of future climate and the causes of uncertainty in these predictions.

    Additional outcomes:

    Outline content:
    Observations of recent climate change
    Observations of recent changes in atmospheric composition including an elementary introduction to atmospheric chemistry
    Radiative forcing and simple models of climate change
    Sophisticated climate models
    Key uncertainties in climate models, with a special focus on cloud feedbacks
    Detection and attribution of past climate change
    Prediction of future climate change including brief discussion of impacts

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    Two 50-minute sessions per week, which will include conventional lectures, computer based practicals, and tutorials on unassessed problem sheets.

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 16
    Tutorials/seminars   2   
    Practicals   2   
    Other contact (eg study visits)      
    Total hours   20   
    Number of essays or assignments   2   
    Other (eg major seminar paper)      

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    Two problem sheets/essays that reinforce and extend in depth concepts introduced in lectures, these will include dedicated questions aimed at M level students.
    Relative percentage of coursework: 40 %
    Penalties for late submission
    10% of maximum mark up to five working days late. Zero mark after five working days
    Examinations
    One 1.5 hour University examination. Students are asked to answer 2 out of 3 questions
    Requirements for a pass
    40% overall
    Reassessment arrangements
    Resit examination paper only in August/September.

    Last updated: 23 November 2009

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