MMath&Phys Mathematics and Physics

PHYS20171 is an acceptable alternative for those Maths-Physics students who took that unit instead of MATH24420.

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Use local, national and international reports to assess and describe the potential environmental and human impact of the problem
• Manipulate mathematical and/or statistical models to describe aspects of problems from a finite planet
• Interpret the mathematics in the context of the original problem, and to reflect critically on the limitations and/or accuracy of the moelling process
• Develop policy suggestions based on the mathematical descriptions used, and to assess the potential impact and identify any ethical issues raised by the policy and to suggest remedies; evaluate critically the policy proposals and their effects
• Choose content so as to communicate effectively to a technical audience (for the mathematics) and a more general audience (for the other areas); write documents aimed at different communities in a style and with a content that is appropriate to that readership.

Formative assessment: Report handed in during week 7 based on mathematics and interpretation of results.
2 Pages (1000 words)
20% Weighting

Summative assessment: Report in Impact-Mathematics-Interpretation-Policy format at the end of the course.
4 pages (2000 words)
80% Weighting

Opportunity to participate in two presentations
2 x share of 10 minute presentations
Peer review and comparison with lecture notes provided after the session

Lecture notes available via Blackboard

Various online materials (e.g. UN Sustainable Development Goals https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/, research papers and reports)

R. Attfield Environmental Ethics a very short introduction, 2018, Oxford

A.E. Dessler Introduction to Modern Climate Change, 2012, CUP

H. Goosse, P.Y. Barriat, W. Lefebvre, M.F. Loutre, and V. Zunz (2010) Introduction to climate dynamics and climate modelling, online textbook available at http://www.climate.be/textbook.

M. Maslin Climate Change a very short introduction, 2014, Oxford

R.T. Pierrehumbert  Principles of Planetary Climate, 2010, CUP

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .