Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Urbansisation has profound influences on cities that cause changes in the surrounding climate including increased temperatures (Urban Heat Island). Additional impacts include reduced moisture, modified urban waterways, and reduced vegetation. Moreover, urbanisation is linked to hazards such as poor air quality and heat related illnesses. This unit will provide an understanding of the physical processes and examine potential solutions by undertaking a sustainable cities approach including the concept of a water sensitive city. Emphasis is placed on practical, theoretical, observational, analytical and modeling skills developed through lectures, practicals and project work.

Objectives

Students will:

1. appreciate urban climate knowledge
2. be able to apply climate knowledge to urbanisation problems
3. have gained practical experience in problem formulation and solution
4. Level 4 students, have developed specialised skills in research/project formulation.

Assessment

Literature review (1000 words): 20%
Practicals (1000 words): 20%
Group or individual project report/presentation (1500 words): 30%
Examination (2 hours): 30%

Chief examiner(s)

Peter Isaac

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures per week, one 3-hour practical per fortnight, plus private study/research time.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Geography and environmental science (ARTS)

Prerequisites

18 points of Geography and Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science or permission of the Head of SGES. Other interested undergraduate and level 4 students will need to obtain permission from the Head of SGES

Prohibitions

GYM4370 and ATM3370