Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- Intensive
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Chemical Engineering School
This course explains the physical science of climate change, with discussion of climate models, projections and impact scenarios. Australian and international climate policies will be presented and their implications for transitioning to a low carbon society will be explored. Students will gain a deeper understanding of potential mitigation responses, vulnerability assessment, and adaptation strategies for organisations and communities both in Australia and beyond.
Students will also be exposed to scenario planning and as part ofﾠ this course will develop the skills relevant for ﾠscenario planning. Students will undertake a planning exercise involving strategy and scenarios ﾠrelevant to an organisation's net zero-emissions policy.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course has no assumed background knowledge beyond the ability to perform simple mathematical operations.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENGY1x is not compatible with ENGY7001
Restrictions
Restricted to MSE, GDSE, GCSE, MEI, GCEI, MEngSc and MEngSc(Man) students.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Franziska Curran
Tutor
Ms Tammy MacGinley
Ms Mega Purba
Mr Paul Henderson
Mr I Gde Agung Chandra Satriya
Ms Michelle Ida Anslem
Mr Yuan Hong
Mr Yulio Sitio
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course is taught in Intensive mode.ﾠ Students are advised to check the Learning Activities section for the course timetable.ﾠ In particular, attendance and participation (online or on campus) is required at the Intensive Modules across four consecutive days (9am-5pm Brisbane time, each day).
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to create a learning environment where students can develop: their understanding of carbon literacy and the language of climate change; their appreciation of the science and projected impacts; their knowledge of international and domestic policy responses and their consequences; and their skills in designing and implementing Net Zero strategies for private sector organisations in response to future scenarios.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Articulate an evidenced-based explanation of climate change, its future impacts and risks, and appropriate and meaningful responses.
LO2.
Analyse corporate climate-related disclosures against benchmarks and standards, including science-based targets.
LO3.
Develop and analyse climate and energy policies and strategies.
LO4.
Apply scenario planning approaches to develop logical alternative forecasts and analyse the energy and climate implications.
LO5.
Lead and work in teams to develop net-zero strategies for businesses to reduce their emissions intensities.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook/ Logbook, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Workbook: Corporate climate-related disclosures
|
25% |
22/08/2025 4:00 pm |
| Notebook/ Logbook, Role play/ Simulation, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Workbook: Decarbonisation Strategies
|
15% |
29/08/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Role play/ Simulation |
Group Project: Net Zero Strategy
|
40% |
8/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Oral exam
|
20% Hurdle |
11/09/2025 4:00 pm
Oral examinations will be conducted on 11-12 September. Students will be able to nominate an examination timeslot. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Workbook: Corporate climate-related disclosures
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
22/08/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L05
Task description
Please refer to Blackboard for more detailed instructions.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Turnitin on course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Workbook: Decarbonisation Strategies
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Role play/ Simulation, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
29/08/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Please refer to Blackboard for more detailed instructions.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Turnitin on course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Group Project: Net Zero Strategy
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
8/09/2025 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05
Task description
Please refer to Blackboard for further details.
Peer assessment may be available for this Group Assessment item. It will be assumed that all contributions to the group assessment are equal, and all members of the group will receive the same mark. If a group member raises issues about unequal contribution in the Group Assessment, the Course Coordinator may seek evidence in the form of peer assessment, meetings with group members, and tutor/teaching staff feedback. Based on this, the Course Coordinator may apply a multiplier to the total group mark for the assessment piece to arrive at individual marks.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Please submit via Turnitin on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Oral exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20% Hurdle
- Due date
11/09/2025 4:00 pm
Oral examinations will be conducted on 11-12 September. Students will be able to nominate an examination timeslot.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Oral examination for 20 minutes duration, conducted on Zoom. Further details will be available via the course Blackboard site.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Must pass this assessment item (mark >=50%) to pass the course (achieve a grade of 4 or higher).Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 20 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open book examination - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Not invigilated |
Submission guidelines
Examinations conducted on Zoom.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As per grade 2 and failure to complete assessment items. Overall course mark typically <30%. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Lack of evidence of competency in the course material to the degree that staff believes would negatively impact on future MSE participation. Overall course mark typically between 30-44%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying the basic requirements for a Pass. Overall course mark typically between 45-49% AND/OR a mark of <50% for Individual Project. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates competency necessary to undertake further Sustainable Energy courses. Overall course grade typically between 50-64% AND a mark >= 50% for Individual Project. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Completion of competency and extension level tasks, demonstrating a clear grasp of the underlying climate change processes and policies. Overall course mark typically between 65-74% AND a mark >= 50% for Individual Project. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrating a clear grasp of climate change science and impacts of policy on business. Overall course mark typically between 75-84% AND a mark >= 50% for Individual Project. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Clearly demonstrating critical analysis and insight into climate change and the wider social and environmental context on a global, regional and national level. Overall course grade > 85% AND a mark >= 75% for Individual Project. |
Additional course grading information
This course has a hurdle assessment item: Individual Project.ﾠ Students must obtain a mark >= 50% for Individual Project to be awarded a grade of 4 or higher.ﾠ
There isﾠ an opportunity for students to complete an online peer assessment of each ﾠgroup member ﾠfor all group assessment items. However, ifﾠ there is ﾠconsensus that all group members participated equally this will not be necessary.ﾠ The Course Coordinator may modify marks based on the results of peer assessment, as necessary.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Supplementary assessment may involve a written or oral exam. Where a mark of <50% for the Individual Project resulted in a grade of 3, the supplementary assessment may be offered via resubmission of the Individual Project.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Additional learning resources provided on Blackboard site.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Workshop |
Intensive Contact Modules - Day 1 Monday, 9am-5pm Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Workshop |
Intensive Contact Modules - Day 2 Tuesday, 9am-5pm Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 6 |
Workshop |
Workshops 3 hour weekly workshop Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.