Module: Global Climates

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Global Climates
Module Code	GEO1024 (ITS: GY104)
Faculty	History & Geography	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to elements of the global climate, allowing them to understand how the atmosphere works, what causes and affects the weather, and what is the science behind climate change. In this module students develop knowledge and skills to classify global climates in relation to the dynamic processes and related physical structures on the ground influence climate and weather patterns across the globe as well as here in Ireland. The impact of climatic change will be discussed in terms of its effect on the spatial variation of weather and precipitation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe how the atmosphere works in terms of its energy budget
2. Explain global patterns of rainfall and weather
3. Describe how atmospheric circulation gives rise to various winds and the effect of this on global ocean currents
4. Explain how local factors both natural and human influence weather and climate.
5. Identify key factors and consequences for climate change in Ireland

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Assignment Completion	20	Preparation and implementation of Assignment
Independent Study	81	Independent reading and expansion on in-class material
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20489	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Niamh Cullen	Module Teacher	Gránia Shanahan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Loop Exam	CA within Loop MCQs	40%	n/a
Formal Examination	1 hour end of semester - essay style questions	60%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

The atmospheric energy system: Energy budget

Atmospheric structure

Heat Transfer

Air masses and weather forming systems

Motion in the atmosphere

Moisture in the atmosphere

Global climate

Climate change

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Arbogast, A.F: 2011, Discovering Physical Geography, 2nd, Wiley,
Smithson, P.: 2008, Fundamentals of the Physical Environment (4th Edition), Routledge, NJ, USA,
0: Readings on Loop,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None