ES4020 Special Topics in Climate Science

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lecture (Tuesday 2pm), Practical (Thursday 2pm)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof A Burke

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Andrea Burke, Dr M Byrne

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Climate change is one of the most urgent scientific problems of our day. As a result there has been a large effort to further the understanding of climate dynamics, climate forcings and sensitivities, and past climate changes to improve our knowledge of the climate system and our ability to project future climate change. This course will tackle a variety of topical research subjects in climate science, such as ENSO, climate sensitivity, hydroclimate variability in a warmer world, paleo-hydroclimate, past warm climates, external forcing of climate, and geo-engineering.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

UNDERGRADUATE: BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS ES2001 AND (PASS ES2002 OR PASS ES2003)

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 40%, Practical Examination 60%

Re-assessment

Written Exam = 50% Coursework = 50%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 hour lectures (9 weeks), 3 hours seminars (9 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

570

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.