Postgraduate Course: Climate Change Science and Policy (CMSE11146)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 15 |
ECTS Credits | 7.5 |
| Summary | The course aims to introduce the underlying science of human-induced and naturally-occurring climate change. It examines predictive models of climate change and projected impacts. It also explores the politics and economics of climate change and policy responses at different scales. |
| Course description |
This course is an essential core component of the MSc in Carbon Finance. Students must develop an understanding of the scientific basis for measuring and predicting climate change and the major geophysical and human impacts in order to appreciate the fundamental drivers of climate change policy and economics, which in turn are the key determinants of climate finance and investment. The course also provides an excellent foundation for any other students whose area of study is affected by climate change science and policy, from low-carbon technology specialists to environmental managers.
Syllabus
Introduction to the science of climate change
Introduction to policy making and climate change
Modelling and predicting climate change
Understanding climate change impacts in the UK
Impact assessment, vulnerability, risk management
Impacts on insurance and finance
Climate science, policy and society
Technologies, innovation and technical change
Introduction to the law and politics of climate change
Climate negotiations
Mitigation and adaptation policies and measures
Climate change and international development
Student learning Experience
Formal teaching occurs in lectures. Much of the learning will be the result of students' own reading and reflection, and preparation for coursework. A high level of student participation is expected, through discussion in class and working in groups. Scholarly endeavour is fundamentally about building on the discovery and insights of others, and we hope that team co-operation will enrich all students.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | For Business School PG students only, or by special permission of the School. Please contact the course secretary. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
150
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 3,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
125 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
Compulsory preparatory reading for lectures, wider reading, assignment, study for assessment
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
* Individual essay (40%) due at 12 noon, Thursday 10th November. Assessment criteria and submission guidelines will be available through Learn.
* Exam (60%). This will take place between 8th and 21st December 2016 (with the exact date to be determined by the University during the first semester. |
| Feedback |
Students will be given formative feedback on their individual essays, in time to be useful in the completion of summative work on the course (i.e. before the exam).
Feedback on formative assessed work will be provided within 15 working days of submission, or in time to be of use in subsequent assessments within the course, whichever is sooner. Summative marks will be returned on a published timetable, which has been made clear to students at the start of the academic year.
Feedback will comprise in-class discussions, case studies and exercises (informal peer and lecturer feedback), essay feedback and generic exam feedback. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain and critically evaluate the current state of climate change science and key climate change policy initiatives, discussing the relationship between climate change science, policy and economics
- Describe the major climatic influences, feedback processes and uncertainties, and how these are incorporated into climate prediction models.
- Identify major projected climate change impacts at global, national and local scales;
- Analyse international climate change negotiations, and discuss the relationship between international negotiations and regional, national and local action.
- Describe the costs and benefits of climate change impacts, adaptation and response measures, market failures and possible solutions.
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Reading List
Essential and recommended further readings for each week will be provided in a separate Timetable and Readings document. This will be updated periodically and students should check the course Learn website for updates to the reading material each week.
Recommended Readings
IPCC (2013) IPCC, 2013: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Available at: http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/report/WG1AR5_SPM_FINAL.pdf
Stern (2007) The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm Read the Executive Summary (27 pages). |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Cognitive Skills:
After completing this course, students should be able to critically evaluate press coverage of climate change science and policy issues, think analytically about the financial and strategic implications of climate change for business, critically evaluate alternative policy approaches to climate change, and conceptualise key strategic considerations associated with climate change.
Subject Specific Skills:
After completing this course, students should be able to analyse new developments in climate change science and policy, and evaluate the implications for business, explain the source and nature of uncertainties in climate change science, and the implications for climate policy and comprehend, speak and write the language of climate change science and policy. |
| Keywords | CCSP |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sarah Ivory
Tel: (0131 6)51 5323
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Ashley Harper
Tel: (0131 6)51 5671
Email: |
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