SD5006 Introduction to Global Climate Change

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Module coordinator

Prof D I Benn

Prof D I Benn
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof Doug Benn

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module provides students of sustainable development with the scientific background to understand past, present and future climate change and its global consequences. Topics will include: the functioning of the global climate system; the causes of climate change (especially the anthropogenic greenhouse effect); weather and climate forecasting; the melting of the world’s glaciers and ice sheets, sea-level rise, the impact of extreme events; and addressing the linked problems of climate denialism and inaction.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2hr lecture (x10 weeks) and 1 x 1hr seminar (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

31

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

270

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand the core scientific principles behind environmental change, including climate change and its consequences
  • Understand the challenges of sustainably managing environments that are both naturally variable and anthropogenically perturbed
  • Critically engage with and report on research on current environmental and sustainable development issues
  • Engage with public debates on climate change from an informed standpoint