Course Title: Global Climate Change

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Global Climate Change

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

EASC1056

City Campus

Undergraduate

145H Mathematical & Geospatial Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008

EASC1060

City Campus

Postgraduate

145H Mathematical & Geospatial Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008

Course Coordinator: Dr Colin Arrowsmith

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2042

Course Coordinator Email: colin.arrowsmith@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 12.11.17


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

Over the last two million years climate and environmental change has significantly affected the distribution and development of biota, including humankind. Humans themselves can and have become agents of environmental change. This course will investigate the nature and causes of past environmental change (during the Quaternary period), investigate forecasts of future change, and look at both the impacts on and effects of human beings in global environments.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1.      describe and understand the physical processes contributing to environmental change

  2.      discuss past (Quartermary) and present physical environments of the Earth

  3.      discuss the methods by which past environmental changes are inferred

  4.      describe the impact of environmental change on the nature and distribution of biota, including human beings

  5.      describe the impacts of human activities on environmental change.


This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes:

  1.1  Describe the fundamental and applied scientific knowledge that underpins the geospatial sciences.

  1.3  Understand specialist bodies of knowledge in geospatial science

  1.4  Discern research directions and advances within geospatial science.

  2.1  Apply standard and advanced techniques to solve a range of measurement and data management problems.

  2.3  Be proficient in the recording, storage, management and reporting of spatial information.

  3.1  Design and implement creative solutions to complex problems.

  3.2  Interpret and critically analyse results and make informed judgments on the appropriateness of solutions.

  3.3  Apply critical and analytical skills in a scientific and professional manner.

  4.1  Communicate effectively by means of oral, written and graphical presentations to peers and a wider audience

  5.1  Appreciate the environmental, social, legal and international aspects of actions and decisions in the geospatial sciences.

  5.2  Demonstrate a clear understanding of professional expectations and ethical requirements.

  6.1  Be self-motivated and personally responsible for your actions and learning

  6.2  Work with others and contribute in a constructive manner to group and team activities.         


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning happens through the academic semester. Specifically, the activities are:
Lectures
Fieldwork activities
Prescribed Reading
Problem Solving
Report writing
 


Overview of Learning Resources

As a student enrolled in this course you have access to extensive learning resources provided in the school and in the RMIT Library.  Our library offers comprehensive services and facilities, geared to assist you in completing your studies successfully.  Furthermore prescribed preparatory readings (available on the DLS), discussion boards, specific computer software in Computer Labs, Web resources plus recommendations for further readings will be used as additional references.  More details will be provided during the course.

          


Overview of Assessment

Students will be assessed via a combination of examination, mid-semester test, field reports, student based projects and assignments.