GEOG 332 : Climate and Environment

Science

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduction to the concept that climate, although often perceived as a hazard, is in fact an important resource. Ways in which climate processes can create hazards or provide a range of resources will be explored. Knowledge concerning how observation systems and climate information can used for decision making, for example in urban planning, economic development and disaster risk reduction, will also be developed as will the procedures associated with the assessment of societal sensitivity to climate.

Course Overview

GEOG 332 Climate and Environment is an exploration of the nature of atmospheric and oceanic processes that affect our climatic environment, at a range of temporal and spatial scales, with a focus on applications and contemporary issues. The course is divided into sections in which lectures are provided by staff with research expertise and interest in the topics covered. Themes covered in the course include selected topics in applied climatology, urban climates, boundary layer processes, bioclimatology and oceanography.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II, including EARTHSCI 261 or GEOG 261, or equivalent

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Recognise and describe the physical dimensions of climate near the ground. (Capability 1, 2, 5 and 6)
  2. Describe and accurately assess the importance of atmosphere-surface boundary layer processes that explain climate in New Zealand and elsewhere. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of ways of interpreting and using climate information in an applied context. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the scientific background necessary to understand and follow scientific developments, and knowledge required to evaluate a range of past, present and future climate-environment. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  5. Develop an appreciation of various ways climate data and information at a variety of scales may be used in environmental and societal analysis. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Laboratories 40% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 60% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Laboratories
Final Exam

Tuākana

As part of the University-wide Tuākana community, The School of Environment Tuākana Programme aims to provide a welcoming learning environment for, and enhance the success of, all of our Māori and Pacific students. We are led by the principles of tautoko (support) and whanaungatanga (connection), and hope you find a home here at the School. Students who have identified as Māori and/or Pacific will receive an invitation to our online portal introducing the Programme, the resources we have available, and how you can get involved.

This course is supported by our Programme Coordinator, Kaiāwhina/Māori student adviser, and Pacific student adviser. They are able to organise group study and facilitate direct assistance regarding material taught in this course. 

Key Topics

These include some or all of the following:
-  Air-land interactions with applied emphasis on urban meteorology, vegetation and air pollution
-  Surface observations, ENSO and drought
-  Global scale processes, air-sea interactions.

Special Requirements

None required.

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 36 hours of lectures, 5 x 2 hour tutorials. The remaining 104 hours should be approximately 36 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 30 hours of work on laboratory assignments and 38 hrs exam preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled classes including lectures and laboratories/tutorials to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings but other learning activities including laboratories/tutorials will not be available as recordings.

Attendance on campus is required for the final examination.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable

Special advice for Offshore students

This course is available online to students resident offshore. The assessment and learning delivery mechanisms may differ from that presented in this Digital Course Outline. Please contact the Course Coordinator for further details: Jenny Salmond (j.salmond@auckland.ac.nz).

Learning Resources

There is no specific text book for this course. Readings are provided weekly via canvas. There is an expectation that at least 3 hours a week are spent reading.

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.

Digital 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.

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.

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 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.

Learning continuity at different 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. Some activities may also have an on campus / in person option which you choose to attend. See canvas for details. 
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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 04/03/2021 01:29 p.m.