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Meeting people from all over the world with different perspectives and sharing moments that never would have happened if I hadn’t joined this course, was a valuable experience. The Global Climate Change course was very well organised and we learnt very efficiently in a short amount of time. The field trips to the Met Office, Penryn and the Eden Project helped us to have a deeper understanding of our studies. This programme has enriched my summer and my life!
Hanae, Temple University, Japan
Global Climate Change: Science, Environment and Society
Global Climate Change: Environment, Technology and Society
This module explores the economic, societal and environmental impacts and implications of climate change, as well as the technological solutions available; focusing on research currently being done by academics at the University of Exeter. The course begins with a general introduction to Climate Change and then examines three main topics in greater detail: Water Resources and Engineering, Renewable Energy, and Earth Systems. This is a technical program, coordinated by the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, and is centred around the theory and application of climate change science. Although not a requisite, it is desirable to have a scientific background, and you can expect to come across technical terminology during this course.
Specific topics related to climate change include:
- Causes and effects
- Social, economic and political impacts
- Environmental impacts and the threat to ecosystem services
- Modelling and prediction
- Adaptation and mitigation of catastrophic events
- Management of water resources and rainfall changes
- Renewable energy technologies and policies for a low carbon society
- Climate tipping points
We will explore these issues within a multidisciplinary framework with lectures, workshops and practical exercises led by world-class researchers in engineering, physics, mathematics, biological, and environmental sciences.
This module aims to give you a broad vision and perspective on global climate change: its mechanisms and underlying science, a look at impacts upon society and the environment, and the technologies that can be employed to mitigate its effects, including adaptation strategies.
Module at a Glance
| Module Title | Global Climate Change: Environment, Technology & Society |
| Module Code | ISS3002 |
| Module Convenor | Dr Paul Butler |
| Credit Value | 7.5 ECTS |
| Scheduled Teaching | 23 x 2 Hour Sessions |
| Total Module Hours | 150 Hours |
| Guided Independent Study |
Pre-Reading Before Arrival |
| Formative Assessment |
Justification of choice of extract for commentary – 300 words -verbal and written feedback |
| Summative Assessment |
Critical Commentary on an extract from a module text – 1500 words – 60% of credit – written feedback Group Presentation – 20 minutes – 40% of credit – verbal and written feedback |
| Sample Pre Reading |
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2014 (AR5): Synthesis Report |
| Sample Lecture Sessions |
Climate Change outside the Earth System Renewable Energy Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation |