Environmental and Climate Change
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 1GV172
- Code
- 1GV172
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Earth Science G1F, Environmental Science G1F
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 23 May 2019
- Responsible department
- Department of Earth Sciences
Entry requirements
15 credits in environmental science, earth science, sustainable energy transition or biology.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- describe the relationship between the geological and climatic development of the Earth
- explain the basic physical principles of the global climate system
- give an account of natural climatic and environmental changes which have occurred over different time scales
- describe current energy politics and energy systems related to climate change
- account for the effect of climate change on society and how society works with the effects of climate change and climate adaptation
- present group work in an oral presentation and written report
Content
The course examines environmental and climate change from the latest glacial maximum (about 20,000 years before present). Natural climate archives are examined as evidence of environmental and climate change. The physical basis for the climate system is investigated including effects of atmospheric circulation and ocean currents on global climate. Basic oceanography and hydrology related to climate processes. Other processes such as volcanism that can initiate global change are presented. Impact on different social institutions and infrastructure, and how to work with climate change and to limit climate change today. Basic energy policy and energy system concepts are presented in connection with environmental and climate change.
Instruction
The course contains lectures, exercises, seminars, study visits, project and group work.
Assessment
Examination in the course is divided between one written exam (4 credits), exercises and seminars (4 credits), and a course project to be presented orally and in written form (2 credits).
If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.