Program Overview

ENVS3102 - Urban Climate and Air Quality

Unit Description

The unit explores urban climate and air quality through detailed study of interactions between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface in the relatively thin veneer of air that we live in known as the planetary boundary layer. It is of interest to all students in science and engineering and more generally any student with an interest in the environment, providing knowledge and skills that will be of value for a range of careers and employers.

Unit Details

• Credit Points: 10
• Level: 3000
• Grading Requirement: Graded
• Offered by: School of Natural Sciences

Requisites

Pre-requisite

• 130cp at 1000 level or above including ENVS1017

NCCW (pre-2020 units)

• ENVE302
• GEOS325
• ENVS302

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion, students will be able to:

1. Describe urban climate and air quality, including the physical, chemical, and biological processes operating to produce or change the state of the urban atmosphere.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and conceptual understanding of the dispersive capabilities of the atmospheric environment near the surface of the earth, how pollutants emitted into the atmospheric environment move and interact with the surface.
3. Examine and integrate scientific information from various primary and secondary sources.
4. Apply practical knowledge to undertake analysis of climate and air quality data.
5. Demonstrate practical laboratory and field-based skills associated with typical measurement problems in the field of climate science.

Assessments

Types of Assessments

• Quizzes: 60% weighting, not a hurdle task
• Literature Review: 20% weighting, not a hurdle task
• Scientific Report: 20% weighting, not a hurdle task

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled Learning Activities

• Lecture Live (Online): Description - Lecture
• Practical Class (In-person): Description - Practical

Additional Information

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), specifically Good Health and Well Being; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Climate Action.