Course coordinator
Dr Simon Hart
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- 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.
External courses are delivered entirely online, and students must participate online for learning and assessment. Note: students may be required to sit exams at a UQ campus or an approved off-campus exam centre. Please refer to the Assessment tab details for information on exam attendance requirements.
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
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Simon Hart
Professor Richard Fuller
Professor Helen Bostock
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% |
1) Quiz 1: 12/03/2026 2:00 pm 2) Quiz 2: 19/03/2026 2:00 pm 3) Quiz 3: 26/03/2026 2:00 pm 4) Quiz 4: 2/04/2026 2:00 pm 5) Quiz 5: 23/04/2026 2:00 pm 6) Quiz 6: 30/04/2026 2:00 pm 7) Quiz 7: 7/05/2026 2:00 pm 8) Quiz 8: 14/05/2026 2:00 pm 9) Quiz 9: 21/05/2026 2:00 pm 10) Quiz 10: 28/05/2026 2:00 pm
For all teaching weeks from Week 2 to Week 12, weekly quizzes will be released after each Friday lecture, and will be due by 2pm the following Thursday. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Climate change risk assessment | 40% |
13/04/2026 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Species distribution models | 20% |
5/05/2026 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
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
Weekly Quiz
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
1) Quiz 1: 12/03/2026 2:00 pm
2) Quiz 2: 19/03/2026 2:00 pm
3) Quiz 3: 26/03/2026 2:00 pm
4) Quiz 4: 2/04/2026 2:00 pm
5) Quiz 5: 23/04/2026 2:00 pm
6) Quiz 6: 30/04/2026 2:00 pm
7) Quiz 7: 7/05/2026 2:00 pm
8) Quiz 8: 14/05/2026 2:00 pm
9) Quiz 9: 21/05/2026 2:00 pm
10) Quiz 10: 28/05/2026 2:00 pm
For all teaching weeks from Week 2 to Week 12, weekly quizzes will be released after each Friday lecture, and will be due by 2pm the following Thursday.
Task description
Each quiz will assess that week's learning materials. Quizzes will be assigned, completed, and submitted via Blackboard. Each of the ten quizzes will be worth 1% of your final grade (10% total).
The best seven out of the ten quizzes will be used to calculate your final grade for this assessment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. 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.
Submission guidelines
Online submission via Blackboard only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
No extension or deferral is available for quizzes as quiz responses are discussed in the Lecture following submission. Quizzes are released online via Blackboard after each Friday Lecture and due the following Thursday 2pm. Where you are unable to attend a quiz due to exceptional circumstances, please contact your Course Coordinator to discuss.
The best seven out of the ten quizzes will be used to calculate your final grade for this assessment.
Climate change risk assessment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
13/04/2026 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)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. 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
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted
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.
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
- 20%
- Due date
5/05/2026 2:00 pm
Task description
Students will do some computer modelling (thoroughly introduced and explained in the species distribution modelling workshops) to predict the current and future distribution of malarial mosquitos (and perhaps other taxa) 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 public health.
Word count of 1500+/- 10% words (not including figure captions or references)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. 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
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
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.
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).
End of Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
The final exam will cover all course content.
This exam requires attendance on campus, or at an approved off-campus exam centre. You must be able to attend one of these venues. Please refer to the Off-Campus exams information page for further information. Please note a digital exam is not available for this assessment.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
See Additional Course Grading Information for the hurdle information relating to this assessment item.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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% |
Additional course grading information
Assessment Hurdle:
In order to pass this course, you must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):
You must obtain 50% or more on the End of Semester exam.
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 the link above 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
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension
For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184
Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates
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
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 (23 Feb - 01 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 1 Course introduction, and an overview of Earth's climate system. Lecturer: Dr Simon Hart |
Workshop |
No workshop in Week 1 |
|
Week 2 (02 Mar - 08 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 2 Climate processes in the oceans and cryosphere. Lecturer: Professor Helen Bostock |
Workshop |
Workshop 1 Assessing Australian regional climate change using Bureau of Meteorology weather data and determining recent and future sea level rises in south east Queensland. |
|
Week 3 (09 Mar - 15 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 3 The lithosphere and climate, and climate modelling Lecturer: Professor Helen Bostock |
Workshop |
Workshop 2 Looking at IPCC and Queensland regional climate models to understand past and future climate change |
|
Week 4 (16 Mar - 22 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 4 Climate risk and adaptation Lecturer: Professor Helen Bostock |
Workshop |
Workshop 3 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, assessment task. |
|
Week 5 (23 Mar - 29 Mar) |
Lecture |
Lecture 5 Climate mitigation and geoengineering Lecturer: Professor Helen Bostock |
Workshop |
Workshop 4 Climate risk assessment (continued) |
|
Week 6 (30 Mar - 05 Apr) |
Lecture |
No lecture in Week 6 (public holiday) |
Workshop |
No workshop in Week 6 (public holiday) |
|
Week 7 (13 Apr - 19 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 6 Biological responses to climate change Lecturer: Dr Simon Hart |
Workshop |
Workshop 5 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 modelling assessment task. |
|
Week 8 (20 Apr - 26 Apr) |
Lecture |
Lecture 7 Biological responses to climate change Lecturer: Dr Simon Hart |
Workshop |
Workshop 6 Species distribution modelling (continued) |
|
Week 9 (27 Apr - 03 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 8 "Nature-based" climate change solutions Lecturer: Dr Simon Hart |
Workshop |
Workshop 7 Species distribution modelling - continued. |
|
Week 10 (04 May - 10 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9 Climate change and conservation - over three weeks we will explore how to achieve sustainable environmental management and biodiversity conservation in the face of climate change. In this first lecture we will chart the impacts of climate change on nature, and how we can design climate-smart protected area systems. Lecturer: Professor Richard Fuller |
Workshop |
Workshop 8 In this workshop you will use the conservation planning software Marxan to learn how to design protected area systems that are resilient in a changing climate. |
|
Week 11 (11 May - 17 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 10 This week we will expand our consideration of conservation in the context of climate change by tackling a big question - is biodiversity best protected by helping species and ecosystems adapt to climate change or to work on limiting the speed and magnitude of climate change itself? Lecturer: Professor Richard Fuller |
Workshop |
Workshop 9 This week we will continue protected area planning in the face of a changing climate. |
|
Week 12 (18 May - 24 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 11 To round off the conservation module, we'll be thinking about the future for nature in a changing climate. What are the hopeful signs, what are the pitfalls we must avoid? How do we factor the human response to climate change into our conservation response? |
Workshop |
Workshop 10 In today's workshop, we'll brainstorm ideas, from the feasible to the fanciful, for protecting biodiversity in face of a changing climate. |
|
Week 13 (25 May - 31 May) |
Lecture |
Lecture 12 Climate change and society Lecturer: Dr Simon Hart |
Workshop |
No workshops in Week 13 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.