This course serves as an introductory meteorology course and an introduction to the science of Australian bushfires.
ENVS6204 introduces those undertaking the course to key concepts in atmospheric science including; the measurement of atmospheric variables, the general circulation of the atmosphere; atmospheric dynamics, the analysis of mid-latitude and tropical weather systems; and the main drivers of climate variability in Australia, with a particular emphasis on drought.
Students taking ENVS6204 will be introduced to the drivers of the Australian fire regime; and factors that result in the variation of the occurrence of bushfires across the continent. Students will learn to understand the initiation, spread and behaviour of bushfires and be instructed in assessing and forecasting bushfire risk.
The course culminates in bushfire meteorology module, where students engage in directly assessing and forecasting the initiation, spread and overall risk of bushfires via interpretation of meteorological charts and weather model predictions.
Key components of the course are insights into ongoing research being undertaken at the ANU in the Fenner School and the Bushfire CRC.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with later year undergraduate students but are assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe and explain the physical processes that lead to variability in weather, climate and fire regime observed locally and across Australia
- Evaluate the interactions between these processes and explain how they result in varying weather, climatic and fire regime patterns
- Analyse and forecast weather and fire danger using appropriate tools
- Critically analyse weather, fire and climate scenarios that vary in location, scale and complexity
- Critically reflect on the interactions that explain weather, climate and fire regime characteristics and communicate these in ways appropriate to a range of audiences
Indicative Assessment
All laboratory and field trip sheets must be submitted in order to achieve a final grade. Assessment will be based on:
- Tutorial facilitation (20%; LO 1, 2, 4, 5)
- Fact sheet preparation on a self-selected topic (30%; LO 1, 2, 5)
- Written assignment based on practical work, including critical review of relevant readings (50%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
5 hours of lectures and practicals per week. Students are expected to spend 4-5 hours per week, on average, on reading and course assignments.
Prescribed Texts
Sturman, AP and Tapper, NJ (2006) The Weather and Climate of Australia & New Zealand. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. (Required Text)
Preliminary Reading
Cheney, P and Sullivan, A (2008) Grassfires. Fuel, Weather and Fire Behaviour. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1650 | |
| 2014 | $2946 | |
| 2013 | $2946 | |
| 2012 | $2946 | |
| 2011 | $2946 | |
| 2010 | $2916 | |
| 2009 | $2916 | |
| 2008 | $2916 | |
| 2007 | $2520 | |
| 2006 | $2520 | |
| 2005 | $2520 | |
| 2004 | $2160 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3606 |
| 2014 | $3762 |
| 2013 | $3756 |
| 2012 | $3756 |
| 2011 | $3756 |
| 2010 | $3750 |
| 2009 | $3618 |
| 2008 | $3618 |
| 2007 | $3618 |
| 2006 | $3618 |
| 2005 | $3618 |
| 2004 | $3618 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7600 | 21 Jul 2014 | 08 Aug 2014 | 31 Aug 2014 | 30 Oct 2014 | In Person | N/A |
