Course coordinator
Professor Helen Bostock
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course will go through the different parts of the climate system - atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and lithosphere and cover the evidence for human influenced climate change globally and in Australia. It will discuss the consequences and risks that climate change presents to the society, environment, ecosystems and biodiversity, and the potential strategies to mitigate and adapt for a future warmer world.
This courseﾠcovers the fundamentals of climate change science and its effects on natural systems and human society. Using the Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports as a guide, the course will cover the ongoing and future social and economic consequences of climate change along with climate adaptation (adapting to live with future climate change) and mitigation strategies (to reduce future climate change). In the second half of the course there will be a focus on how climate change is also influencing the biodiversity crisis and what kind of conservation approaches can be taken to protect ecosystems.
The course assumes no previous knowledge of climate changeﾠand is aimed atﾠanyone interested in climate change. Assessmentsﾠinclude weekly online quizzes, and a couple of written assignments.
Course requirements
Assumed background
No assumed background in climate science is required. Students need a laptop for the workshops and are advised that they should have a working knowledge of excel or other numerical programs such as R to undertake some of the workshop exercises.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
GEOS1100 and GEOS2100
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM3115
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
This course shares activities with ENVM3115.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Helen Bostock
Dr Simon Hart
Professor Richard Fuller
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
No assumed background in climate science is required. Students need a laptop for the workshops and are advised that they should have a working knowledge of excel or other numerical programs such as R to undertake some of the workshop exercises.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Recall and explain the fundamental science of climate change
LO2.
Understand the consequences and risks of climate change to the environment and society.
LO3.
Critique the methods to adapt and mitigate against future climate change impacts on the environment and society.
LO4.
Recognise and consider the ethical, cultural, social and political challenges in responding to climate change.
LO5.
Employ verbal and written communication skills to effectively articulate and apply your knowledge of climate change and environmental management.
LO6.
Engage and develop management strategies to foster climate resiliency for sustainable ecosystems and society.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Weekly Quiz
|
10% |
Week 2 quiz: 10/03/2025 2:00 pm Week 3 quiz: 17/03/2025 2:00 pm Week 4 quiz: 24/03/2025 2:00 pm Week 5 quiz: 31/03/2025 2:00 pm Week 6 quiz: 7/04/2025 2:00 pm Week 7 quiz: 14/04/2025 2:00 pm Week 9 quiz: 6/05/2025 2:00 pm Week 11 quiz: 19/05/2025 2:00 pm Week 12 quiz: 26/05/2025 2:00 pm
Weekly quizzes will be released 9am on the day after the lecture and will be due before the lecture the following week. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Climate Risk Assessment | 40% |
14/04/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Species distribution models | 25% |
6/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Poster | Climate Change Solutions | 25% |
30/05/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Weekly Quiz
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Week 2 quiz: 10/03/2025 2:00 pm
Week 3 quiz: 17/03/2025 2:00 pm
Week 4 quiz: 24/03/2025 2:00 pm
Week 5 quiz: 31/03/2025 2:00 pm
Week 6 quiz: 7/04/2025 2:00 pm
Week 7 quiz: 14/04/2025 2:00 pm
Week 9 quiz: 6/05/2025 2:00 pm
Week 11 quiz: 19/05/2025 2:00 pm
Week 12 quiz: 26/05/2025 2:00 pm
Weekly quizzes will be released 9am on the day after the lecture and will be due before the lecture the following week.
Task description
9 weekly quizzes will start in week 2 through to week 12. There will be a weekly multiple choice quiz about the content of the weeks lecture and practical. Students are expected to review their lecture notes and recordings on blackboard and additional research where necessary in order to answer the 10 questions. Each of these weekly quizzes will be worth just over 1%, coming to a total of 10% of your final grade.
It is your responsibility as a student to ensure you have a reliable internet connection and functioning PC/laptop/device to ensure that you do not encounter any technical difficulties during the quiz.
Submission guidelines
The quiz will be in INSPERA and submitted online.
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.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Climate Risk Assessment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
14/04/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
For this assessment you are employed at an environmental Consultancy and/or local government organisation and an investor or local government would like to purchase a business or undertake a development. Provide a first pass Climate Change Risk Assessment. Choose one case studies (a choice of 3 will be provided) to undertake this assessment. Assume that it needs to be a viable option for 50 years and look at the most extreme future climate scenario (SSP5 8.5).
We will introduce you to how to do a climate risk assessment during the problem based learning workshop in week 5. You will need to use the websites provided during that problem based learning workshops from weeks 2-5, but also published papers, reports and google searches to look for evidence of past climatic influences on one of these case studies. Several examples of risk assessments will be provided - please have a look at these to understand what is required. Make sure that you reference the data and evidence (website links, published papers etc).
The risk assessment report needs to include
- Introduction
- Risk Assessment table (you will need to adapt the risk assessment table used in the practical as it won’t necessarily be suitable for all the case studies)
- Justification of your decisions – including figures, tables, and discussion, including references.
- Provide some suggested adaptations to increase the climate resilience of the property to climate extremes.
The Risk assessment table is worth 20% and the text is worth 20%.
Word count: 2000 +/- 10% (Not including the risk assessment table and figure captions, or references)
Submission guidelines
Please submit through Turnitin via 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.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Species distribution models
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
6/05/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
Students will do some computer modelling (introduced in the problem based learning workshop in weeks 7 and 8) to predict the current and future distribution of malarial mosquitos using different climate models and/or climate change scenarios. After obtaining results, students will write a short scientific report introducing the scientific problem, presenting results, and discussing the implications of those results, including for environmental management and future public health.
Word count of 1500+/- 10% words (not including figure captions or references)
Submission guidelines
Please submit through Turnitin via Blackboard.
Among other functions, Turnitin checks for plagiarism across all sources including published work, the internet and previously submitted work by yourself and all previous students. You are not permitted to plagiarise any source including your own previous work.
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.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Climate Change Solutions
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
30/05/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
In this climate change solutions infographic/poster we would like you to outline an issue (must be related to climate change) and then provide a solution (adaptation or mitigation). This assessment will assess your broader communication skills and your creativity. You will need to communicate a complex idea to a non-specialist audience using a graphical/text approach. Keep the technical jargon to a minimum (or explain where it is necessary), use of figures to explain the main concepts. Choose a topic that interests you and relates to your degree or the area you want to work in the future.
We suggest an infographic or poster that would fit on a A3 size page.
Submission guidelines
Please submit through Turnitin via Blackboard.
Among other functions, Turnitin checks for plagiarism across all sources including published work, the internet and previously submitted work by yourself and all previous students. You are not permitted to plagiarise any source including your own previous work.
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.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
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: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Referencing guidelines, information on study plans, assessment extension application forms and other useful information can be found at https://sees.uq.edu.au/student-support
(AI) Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing these assessment tasks. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing these assessment tasks. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
- Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
- If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
- If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
- If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
- For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for timeframes. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
- An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
- If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
- Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
- There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
https://open.oregonstate.education/climatechange/
https://report.ipcc.ch/srocc/pdf/SROCC_FinalDraft_FullReport.pdf
https://www.nccarf.edu.au/publications/climate-change-refugia-terrestrial-biodiversity
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 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 1 Introduction to climate change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 2 Climate change science - Introducing the climate processes in the Atmosphere and Biosphere |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Assessing Australian regional climate change using Bureau of Meteorology weather data. |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 3 Climate change Science - Introducing the processes in the Hydrosphere (Oceans) and Cryosphere |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Determining the sea level rise in Brisbane over the last few decades and future sea level rise |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 4 Climate change science: introducing the Lithosphere and Climate models |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Looking at IPCC and Queensland regional climate models to understand past and future climate change |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 5 Climate extremes, risk and adaptation |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Climate risk assessment - providing an example and template of how to go about doing a climate risk assessment. You will use this template to undertake your climate risk assessment (worth 40% of your final grade). |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 6 Climate solutions from mitigation to geoengineering |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Climate decisions |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 7 Biological responses to climate change, variability and extremes |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Species distribution modelling - this workshop will introduce you to using computer modelling approaches to estimate the distribution of mosquitoes under future climate change. The results from this workshop should be used to write up your species distribution assessment (worth 25% of your final grade). |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 8 Biological solutions to climate change, adaptation and mitigation |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Species distribution modelling - continued. |
|
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9 Climate change and bushfires |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Species distribution modelling - contd |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 10 - no lecture No lecture or workshop this week due to labour day |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 11 Conservation in the context of climate change |
Problem-based learning |
Workshop Communicating climate change - this workshop will introduce the ideas of good communication of climate change and conservation. It will introduce your final assessment for the course which will be an infographic/poster. |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 12 Should we adapt or mitigate to save ecosystems? |
Workshop |
Workshop Communicating climate change continued. |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Lecture 13 Climate change and society |
Additional learning activity information
There is additional learning material on UQ extend. You can find a link on the Blackboard Learning Resources page.
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.