units

ATS3887

Faculty of Arts

18 September 2017 22 November 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
OfferedClayton Second semester 2012 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Nigel Tapper and colleagues

Notes

Previously coded GES3370

Synopsis

Urbanisation has profound influences on cities that causes local changes in climate including increased temperature (the 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. These matters are of particular concern in the context of climate change. This unit will provide an understanding of the relevant physical processes and impacts, along with the associated technological, and socio-political contexts and examine potential solutions by undertaking a sustainable cities approach including the concept of a water sensitive city as an approach to heat mitigation and climate change adaptation. Emphasis is placed on practical, theoretical, observational, analytical and modeling skills developed through lectures, practicals and project work.

Outcomes

On completion students will be able to:

  1. appreciate urban climate knowledge and the critical role of water in the urban environment;
  2. be able to apply climate knowledge to issues of urban sustainability and adaptation to climate change;
  3. have gained practical experience in problem formulation and solution, and in addition;
  4. level 4 students will 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)

Nigel Tapper

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)
Geographical science
Climate change and society
Land and water management

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

APG4887 and ATM3370