Module overview
A hands-on intro to how the ocean responds to and, in turn, shapes the changing climate. After introducing core climate basics, we examine how the ocean responds to external forcing at the surface and in the interior, through physical, chemical, and biological processes. We then explore the consequences of these changes for the atmosphere, cryosphere, marine ecosystems, and human society. Through lectures and hands-on practical sessions that involve analysing observations, interpreting earth-system model outputs, and experimenting with simple climate models, this module builds your climate literacy in an oceanographic context and equips you with essential skills for advanced study in the years ahead.
Linked modules
SOES1008 AND SOES1017
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Perform detection and attribution of climate signals using observations and simulations.
- Analyse observational datasets and model outputs to extract trends, variability, and uncertainties.
- Design and implement workflows in Python, starting from pseudo-code to reproducible analysis.
- Apply simple models (e.g. energy balance, box models) to simulate ocean–climate processes.
- Construct evidence-based arguments and present them clearly in written forms.
- Evaluate how ocean change feedback onto the atmosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and human society through air-sea interaction, circulation shifts, hydrological cycle changes, and ecosystem impacts.
- Generate clear visualisations (time series, maps, schematics) to communicate results effectively.
- Evaluate assumptions in data, models, and arguments, and judge their validity.
- Explain why climate is changing and use evidence to challenge common climate change misconceptions.
- Describe how the ocean responds to external forcing through physical, chemical, and dynamical processes.
Syllabus
W1: L1. Climate Science Basics (DC) | P1. Energy Balance Model (DC)
W2: L2. Surface Warming (DC) | P2. Global Surface Warming (DC)
W3: L3. Drivers of Climate Change (DC) | P3. Attributing GMST Warming (DC)
W4: L4. Heat and Carbon Uptake (DC) | P4. Changes in Ocean Heat Content (DC)
W5: L5. Stability of Ocean Circulations (DC) | P5. AMOC changes & Snowball Earth (DC)
W6: L6. Changes in the Arctic (DC) | P6. The Day After Tomorrow (DC)
W7: L7. Rising Sea Level (MF) | P7. Fingerprint of Sea Level Rise (MF)
W8: L8. Acidification & De-oxygenation (AA) | P8. Acidification & De-oxygenation (AA)
W9: L9. Atmospheric Implications I (MF) | P9. Assignment 1 drill session (I) (MF)
W10: L10. Atmospheric Implications II (MF) | P10. Assignment 1 drill session (II) (MF)
W11: L11. Biospheric Implications (LN) | L12. Policy and Societal Implications (MF)
Delivered by: DC - Dr. Duo Chan; MF - Dr. Minmin Fu; AA - Dr. Alexandra Auderset; LN - Dr. Lauren Nadler
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module is delivered through a combination of formal lectures and hands-on practical sessions. Weekly two-hour lectures introduce the core processes linking the ocean and climate, from fundamental energy balance to ocean heat and carbon uptake, circulation stability, sea-level rise, acidification, deoxygenation, and wider Earth-system feedbacks. These are complemented by weekly two-hour computer-based practical sessions in which students use Python to analyse observational datasets, interpret Earth-system model outputs, and experiment with simple climate models. This will enable them to apply the learned material in real-world scenarios. Two dedicated 2-hour office hour sessions provide structured support for summative assessments. Independent study involves reviewing lecture content, doing wider reading, completing coding exercises, and preparing for the exam, with online resources and staff office hours available to support learning needs. A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Problem Classes | 2 |
| Completion of assessment task | 15 |
| Guided independent study | 20 |
| Revision | 25 |
| Follow-up work | 22 |
| Lecture | 22 |
| Independent Study | 22 |
| Practical | 22 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessment is split between coursework and examination. A practical assignment (40% of the module mark) is released in Week 6 and requires students to detect and attribute recent changes in Arctic sea ice using the coding and analysis skills developed in the practical sessions. Students will receive support during two dedicated drill sessions in Weeks 9 and 10. The final assessment is a two-hour closed-book examination (60% of the module mark) held in the standard exam period. Each year, questions worth approximately 60 marks are drawn at random from a larger question bank, ensuring coverage across the full range of module topics and learning outcomes. Questions are structured in a scaffolded format: each main problem is broken into shorter sub-questions that build from fundamental definitions and laws through to data interpretation, diagram annotation, and open-ended discussion. This approach allows students to demonstrate their understanding progressively while testing both core concepts and the ability to apply knowledge to novel climate–ocean problems. There are no pass-for-progression requirements attached to individual elements; the overall module mark determines successful completion.Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Closed book Examination | 60% |
| Assessed Practicals | 40% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External