Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest challenges facing humankind. The goal of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles and empirical evidence that underpin the modern understanding of anthropogenic climate change. We will develop a quantitative understanding of the fundamental physics (radiation and surface energy balance, dynamics) governing the earth system. We will examine the synthesis of climate observations to discern current global trends and investigate past climates. In particular, we will analyse uncertainties in the current predictions and outline ways in which the scientific community is moving to refine these predictions. Key components of the course will be informed using insights from ongoing research within the ARC Centre of Excellence in Climate System Science.

Honours pathway option (HPO)

Students enrolled in the Honours pathway option (HPO) will be required to do an alternative assignment. The material will be set at a higher conceptual level,  requiring more advanced and extensive research. 

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the fundamental physics governing the theory of global warming;

2. Describe the historical development of the scientific underpinnings of the theory of global warming;

3. Understand current constraints on (i) our understanding of climate change, (ii) climate observations and (iii) climate models;

4. Desribe and evaluate the uncertainties in climate predictions;

5. Describe and evaluate the accuracy of public statements on climate change in the popular press.

• Assignments (30%, LO 3-5)
• Laboratory Classes (30%, LO 1 and 3)
• Final Exam (40%, LO 1-5)

Five-six contact hours per week comprising lectures and practicals/tutorials. Students are expected to spend an average of a further 5 hours per week on work related to the course.

MATH1013 or1115 or PHYS1101

EMSC3029/PHYS3029

Elementary Calculus

Pierrehumbert, R. T. (2010), Principles of Planetary Climate, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.