- UCAS course code
- F305
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Physics (MPhys)
MPhys Physics
Join a physics Department of international renown that offers great choice and flexibility, leading to master's qualification.
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Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: F305 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: A*A*A including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 38 points overall with 7,7,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Global Climate Change
| Unit code | EART21202 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 5 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This unit covers the fundamental science behind natural and made-made processes that influence climate, the latest evidence on past and future climate change as taken from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports, and possible approaches to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Aims
The aim of this course is to provide an overview of natural and man-made processes regulating the Earth’s climate, the evidence underpinning our understanding of past and future climate change, and possible responses to climate change through adaptation and mitigation.
Learning outcomes
On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: | Developed | Assessed | |
ILO 1 | To understand the concept of Black body equilibrium temperature, the Stefan-Boltzman Law and how to to calculate the equilibrium temperature for the Earth & other planets. To explain why the equilibrium temperatures for the planets differ. | Y | Y |
ILO 2 | To understand the main components of the Earth’s energy budget and how internal and external forcings can influence them and the timescales associated with these changes. | Y | Y |
ILO 3 | Explain how greenhouse gas emissions have influenced Earth’s temperatures using the concept of radiative forcing, discuss the role of feedbacks in amplifying or suppressing human impacts on climate, and apply this information to critically evaluate statements on climate change. | Y | Y |
ILO 4 | Describe the different sources of information underpinning our understanding of climate, both from observations and climate models, and outline for each of them over what timescales they can be used and their main sources of uncertainty. | Y | Y |
ILO 5 | Outline current mechanisms and strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, including the role of international agreements and national responses, and use these to propose plans appropriate for different regions. | Y | Y |
Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction to climate change and its impacts
Week 2: Observational evidence and uncertainties on climate change.
Week 3: Radiation laws and the greenhouse effect
Week 4: Radiative forcing and feedbacks
Week 5: Climate models
Week 6: Online test
Week 7: Natural climate variability
Week 8: Other anthropogenic impacts on climate
Week 9: Climate change adaptation
Week 10: Climate change mitigation
Week 11: Revision Q&A
Teaching and learning methods
The course is delivered through a blended learning approach. Each week has its own set of ILOs for students to test their understanding. There will be 3-4 short videos to watch before the timetabled lecture, and a reading list, made up primarily of free online resources, to guide the student’s independent study time. Each live lecture will include a summary of the videos, with opportunity to ask any questions, a live formative quiz and an exercise aimed at practicing that week’s ILOs (and by extension, possible exam questions).
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 30% |
| Written exam | 70% |
Assessment type | % Weighting within unit | Hand out and hand in dates | Length
| How, when and what feedback is provided | ILO tested |
Test | 30 | Week 6 | 45 minutes | Review of test results given to individuals and overall feedback going through each question | 1,2,3,4 |
Exam | 70 |
| 1.5 hours | Feedback with exam scripts | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Recommended reading
The main text for the course will be the IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report. Additional reading, either from other IPCC reports or other resources, will be signposted throughout the course, but all of these will be taken from freely available online resources.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 21 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 2 |
| Seminars | 1 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 76 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Thomas Choularton | Unit coordinator |
| Martin Gallagher | Unit coordinator |