ENVPHYS 200 : Earth Observations and Models

Science

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An experiential study of climate and environmental physics. The analysis and modelling of laboratory, field and remote sensing observations to explain the state and behaviour of the atmosphere, oceans and the solid earth. Topics include radiation, cloud and aerosol processes, energy balance, circulations and seismic waves. It develops transferable skills in acquiring measurements, data analytical methods and laboratory techniques.

Course Overview

To introduce the physical insights into our earth, oceans and atmosphere, which make up our environment. To provide students with the practical skills needed to proficiently interpret and explain environmental phenomena such as climate change.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from ENVPHYS 100, PHYSICS 100, 102, 120, 121, 160, EARTHSCI 120 and 15 points from MATHS 108, 110, 120, 130, 199, STATS 101-120 Restriction: GEOPHYS 213

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and explain the physical processes that create our geophysical environments of earth, oceans and atmosphere (Capability 1)
  2. Analyse geophysical observations with programming languages and plotting software (Capability 3)
  3. Use mathematical, numerical methods, and experimental data to explain geophysical phenomena (Capability 3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
In-class questions 6% Individual Coursework
Assignments 9% Individual Coursework
Laboratories 24% Group & Individual Coursework
Tests 21% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3
In-class questions
Assignments
Laboratories
Tests
Final Exam

Special Requirements

Must complete laboratory work.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 27 hours of lectures, 6 hours of tutorials, 3 hours of in-class tests, 18 hours of labs and lab-report writing, 18 hours reading and thinking about the content, 12 hours of work on assignments and 36 hours of test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and labs to complete the components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The followings apply to teaching and learning activities at the different COVID-19 alert levels.
  • Level 1: Delivered normally as specified in delivery mode.
  • Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will have a remote option. The following activities may have an on campus / in person option: lectures, labs, and tutorials. Note that permission is required for any on campus teaching at level 2, and there is no obligation to deliver any on-campus activity at level 2.
  • Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 09/11/2021 11:36 a.m.