Climate change history

The course is part of the Bachelor's programme in Earth Sciences with a specialization in climatology/physical geography. The course is offered as an elective course subject to availability.

The course can be included in the following programmes:

• Bachelor's Programme in Earth Sciences (N1GVS)
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (N1MNV)
• Environmental Sciences (N2MVN)
• Atmosphere, Climate and Ecosystems, Master's Programme (N2ACE)

Qualifications corresponding to 120 credits in Earth Sciences, Geography or Environmental Sciences, of which 75% of the course must at least have the grade Pass and Ma D or the equivalent. Knowledge of Earth system sciences corresponding to GV1410 Earth System Sciences, 30 credits, or GE0400 Geography Introductory level, 30 credits, or NGN160 Atmospheric science, 7,5 credits, all with the grade at least Pass.

The course includes two sub-courses:

1. Theory, 3,5 credits:

Grading scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U)

The sub-course covers past changes and variations in climate at different time and space scales, and the mechanisms behind. The different archives (climate proxies) used to interpret climate beyond the observational records, are critically examined.

Furthermore, the sub-course focuses on climate variations over the last 2000 years and how these have affected society and includes the important aspect of what pre-industrial climate is, the baseline from which the anthropogenic influence on climate is estimated.

Rapid climate and weather events (extremes) as well as longer periods of changing climate, such as the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age, will be discussed. This will allow students to understand how humans and societies have responded and adapted to climate change throughout history.

2. Group project, 4 credits

Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

Working in small groups, the aim is to estimate when humans started to significantly influence the climate of different regions, i.e. the transition from pre-industrial to anthropogenic climate.

Students perform analyses and compile paleoclimatological and historical data from different sources. The results are presented in the form of a short written report and through individual oral presentations at a seminar.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• explain the mechanisms behind regional climate change and variability during the Holocene, with emphasis on the last 2000 years.
• describe paleoclimate proxies, their strenghths and limitations.
• describe past societal changes related to climate.
• distinguish between pre-industrial and present climates.

Competence and skills

• plan and conduct a study of past climate-society interactions in a given region, using available resources. 
• demonstrate ability of using oral and written communications to describe and discuss results and conclusions. 

Judgement and approach

• critically analyze and evaluate available historical records of past climate and societal change.
• place the current climate in a long-term perspective and assess regional differences in climate over time and space.

The teaching consists of lectures, compulsory exercises and seminars, and a group project which will be presented orally and in writing.

Language of instruction: English

1. Theory, written exam (3,5 credits): U/G/VG

2. Group project, written report and presentation (4 credits): U/G

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course's intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/chnaged. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaption of examination if this is done in an accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For the grade Pass (G) on the entire course, G is required on both sub-courses, including at least 60% on the written exam and that all compulsory parts are passed. For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) on the whole course, VG is required on sub-course 1 including at least 80% on the written exam.

The students are given the opportunity to make an anonymous written evaluation of the course.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.