Australia is a country defined by dramatic extremes – our highly variable climate influences virtually every aspect of our lives. So what makes Australia the ‘land of drought and flooding rains’? What are the factors that influenced major bushfires, floods and droughts that have shaped Australian society? How is climate change influencing Australian climate variability and extremes? In this course we provide a foundation for understanding Australian weather, climate and bushfire science. It is designed to lead students into advanced third year courses in climatology, climate change, bushfire science, water resource management and climate change policy. It is also provides a multidisciplinary understanding of climate and bushfire science for students pursuing ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, or sustainability studies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the physical processes that drive weather, climate and bushfire in Australia.
2. Analyse real-world data to characterise bushfire, flood and drought conditions.
3. Understand how weather, climate and bushfires vary in location, scale and complexity.
4. Reflect on how weather, climate and bushfire extremes are considered in decision making.
5. Apply multidisciplinary thinking to course topics to understand contemporary challenges.
6. Reflect upon, synthesise and explain learning outcomes 1-5 from a broad scale, to specific topics/events.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Expectations

1. Watch all recorded lectures via Echo360/Wattle
2. Submit all assessable work via PDF on Wattle by the deadline
3. Comply with ANU and Fenner School requirements regarding referencing, academic honesty and other standards for academic work
4. Complete the required reading for each lecture
5. Attend the practicals and complete each assessment
6. Study for and complete course tests/exams

 This level of participation will amount to approximately 11 hours of work per week in total

Note that students are required to complete all of the course assessment tasks (1-4 inclusive) to successfully complete this course.

Your Feedback

Your thoughts and opinions matter. Here’s how you can provide feedback on the course:

1. Send email to envs2004@anu.edu.au
2. Contact your class representatives, who will pass on any feedback from members of the class. There will be a meeting of all class reps with the Fenner School Associate Director (Education) in Week 4 of semester.
3. The Convener will be in continual informal discussions with course reps throughout the semester
4. Complete the SELT surveys at the end of the course; we do value your feedback and respond to your suggestions.

HELP!

Stuck? Confused? Falling behind? Don’t wait! Contact us ASAP. We are here to help.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lectures: 1.1 Course introduction & Overview (JG); 1.2 Atmospheric science I – Atmospheric structure and composition (LR); 1.3 Atmospheric science II – Atmospheric stability (LR); Practical: Course assessment finalisation discussion	Required Reading: Please refer to course Wattle site for the weekly schedule of readings. Readings are selected specifically to support lectures Reading should be completed before each lecture Content from the readings will be assessed in quizzes, practicals and exam. Practicals: You must attend the practicals to complete the practical assessment, review quizzes and exam.
2	Lectures: 2.1 General circulation – Drivers of Australia’s weather (LR); 2.2 Atmospheric dynamics – Local weather (LR); 2.3 Synoptic Weather Patterns (LR); Practical: Weather practical
3	Lectures: 3.1 Satellite sensing of rainfall & soil moisture (LR); 3.2 Surface energy balance (LR); 3.3 Continental scale water balance modelling (LR); Practical: Soil moisture time series analysis
4	Lectures: 4.1 Key Climate drivers I – seasonal cycle and climate modes (JG); 4.2 Key Climate drivers II – seasonal cycle and climate modes (JG); 4.3 Key Climate drivers III – seasonal cycle and climate modes (JG); Practical: Australian climate drivers	Assessment task: Weather review quiz (15%) Practicals and key theory (covering Weeks 1–3) Multiple choice & Short written answers Online wattle quiz
5	Lectures: 5.1 Floods I – mechanisms and key events (JG); 5.2 Floods II – mechanisms and key events (JG); 5.3 Floods III – mechanisms and key events (JG); Practical: Floods & Droughts
6	Lectures: 6.1 Droughts I – mechanisms and key events (JG); 6.2 Droughts II – mechanisms and key events (JG); 6.3 Droughts III – mechanisms and key events (JG); Practical: Public holiday in 2021 – No practical session
7	Lectures: 7.1 Concept and importance of the fire regime (GC); 7.2 Describing fire behaviour (GC); 7.3 Factors affecting fire - Wind and fuel moisture content (GC); Practical: Climate review quiz	Assessment task: Climate review quiz (15%) Practicals and key theory (covering Weeks 4–6) Multiple choice & Short written answers Online wattle quiz
8	Lectures: 8.1 Factors affecting fire - Atmospheric stability & drought (GC); 8.2 Factors affecting fire – Synoptic phenomena (GC); 8.3 Factors affecting fire – Climate fluctuations (GC); Practical: Bushfire weather forecasting
9	Lectures: 9.1 Factors affecting fire – Fuel dynamics (GC); 9.2 Fire Danger Rating (GC); 9.3 Predicting fire behaviour (GC); Practical: Bushfire behaviour prediction
10	Lectures: 10.1 Factors affecting fire – Terrain (GC); 10.2 Bushfire ignitions (GC); 10.3 Bushfire suppression (GC); Practical: Drop-in session for Bushfire Behaviour Prediction Report
11	Lectures: 11.1 Fire regime synthesis (GC); 11.2 Water abundance – managing variability (Joseph Guillaume); 11.3 Water scarcity – concepts and implications (Joseph Guillaume); Practical: Self-guided work – no practical scheduled	Assessment task: Bushfire behaviour prediction report (1000 words) 20% (via Wattle Submission)
12	Lectures: 12.1 Water scarcity – water infrastructure planning (Joseph Guillaume); 12.2 Self-directed; 12.3 Self-directed; Practical: Course review

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Weather review quiz (15%)	15 %	15/03/2021	15/04/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6
Climate review quiz (15%)	15 %	23/04/2021	23/05/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6
Bushfire behaviour prediction report (1000 words)	20 %	21/05/2021	21/06/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6
Final exam	50 %	03/06/2021	03/07/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

An online examination will be scheduled during the Semester 1 examination period

Check the ANU final Examination Timetable to confirm examination details

Examination results will be incorporated into final course results

Assessment Task 1

Weather review quiz (15%)

Practicals and key theory (covering Weeks 1–3)

Multiple choice & Short written answers

Online wattle quiz run during Week 4 of course

Assessment Task 2

Climate review quiz (15%)

Practicals and key theory (covering Weeks 4–6)

Multiple choice & Short written answers

Online wattle quiz run during Week 7 practical

Assessment Task 3

Bushfire behaviour prediction report (1000 words)

Word limit: 1000 words

Students will submit a scientific report written according to instructions detailed in the 'Bushfire Behavior Prediction Practical' handout. The report should contain the following presented in separate sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. Details on expected report content is outlined in the practical handout, which includes an assignment marking sheet. Regarding referencing, only sources published in the academic literature (e.g. books and journal articles) or reputable web resources from government or research institutions should be used. Students will be expected to use the Harvard referencing style to cite all sources referenced in the report. All figures and tables included in the report should be clearly labelled with a figure caption, or table heading, and a source. Only include figures and tables if they are directly referred to in the text.

Assessment Task 4

Final exam

Online exam conducted during formal examination period

Check the ANU final Examination Timetable to confirm examination details

Examination results will be incorporated into final course results

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home or online examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via Wattle and/or during practical classes.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignment tasks is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students