Module: Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis
Module Code	GY502 (ITS) / GEO1007 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
Module Co-ordinator	Darren Clarke
Module Teachers	Gránia Shanahan
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

Within the lifespan of the present generation, global climate is changing more radically than at any time over the past several hundred thousand years. The primary cause of this is now recognised as being due to human activities in altering the composition of the atmosphere, particularly as a consequence of interfering with long wave radiative transfers as a result of increasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. How big and how rapid the climatic changes resulting from this are likely to be are of acute concern for the entire global community and are the subjects of major research efforts worldwide. This module addresses the causes and consequences of climate change. It examines how various techniques enable a longer-term perspective on climate to be obtained. It examines how past and present climatic fluctuations can be seen to have social, economic and political consequences which technological advances have not eliminated and may even have exacerbated. The implications of model-based projections of the enhanced greenhouse effect for Ireland and other parts of the world will be analysed, as will options to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Learning Outcomes

1. Appreciate the mechanisms which cause climate to fluctuate, and of the role of human intervention in shaping the current and future course of global climate.
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of climate science and critically evaluate scientific literature to develop new and informed insights.
3. Comprehend the basis on which past and future climate change is quantified and measured, recognise uncertainties associated with future climate modelling and how decision-making can overcome these uncertainties.
4. Recognise the impacts which may be anticipated at different spatial scales (globally, regionally and in Ireland) caused by climate change.
5. Understand what dangerous climate change is and who or what is vulnerable to climate change.
6. Be aware of national and international commitments which will guide Irish policy in this area in the years ahead.
7. Evaluate potential solutions to decarbonise our economies.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Weekly lectures and fieldtrips
Group work	40	Preparation and presentation of group research
Independent Study	186	Independent reading, including expansion on class discussions, practical exercises and study on research paper/quiz
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content 1
Introduction to how the climate is changing

Indicative Content 2
Radiation and energy balance

Indicative Content 3
Simple climate model

Indicative Content 4
Carbon cycle

Indicative Content 5
Forcings, feedbacks and climate sensitivity

Indicative Content 6
Why is the climate changing?

Indicative Content 7
Predictions of future climate change

Indicative Content 8
Exponential growth/Limits to growth

Indicative Content 9
What is dangerous climate change?

Indicative Content 10
Mitigation and adaptation, including for Ireland

Indicative Content 11
Climate change: Fixing the problem

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Report(s)	Research report examining key issues of one of the themes discussed during module. List of research report titles to be provided to students.	60%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Online quiz or quizzes based on content covered in readings and in lectures.	20%	As required
Group presentation	Oral presentation on one research theme covered in module with follow-up Q&A class.	20%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

59579, 0, Additional journal articles/book chapters will be provided on Loop in advance of each class., 59580, 0, All students are expected to have read readings listed as required readings in advance of each week’s live lectures on Zoom., 59581, 0, Google Scholar is also particularly useful for locating academic articles.,