This is a research-intensive course normally taken following ENVS8003 Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation, as part of the Master of Climate Change degree program. The course allows you to explore in greater depth a research topic relevant to climate change adaptation. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor you will extend and hone your research skills by following the process of identifying and defining a research topic; developing and presenting a research proposal and plan; conducting research by obtaining and analysing primary and/or secondary data and information; and presenting your findings in a seminar and in writing.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Plan and conduct independent research on a supervised topic related to climate change adaptation;
- Communicate the context, methodologies and findings of that research clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
Students may engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a component of the course
Other Information
Please consult the course convener, Prof. Pittock, early if you intend to take this course. You will need to identify a research topic, then find and discuss your proposed project with an academic supervisor.
Indicative Assessment
- Research plan (1000 words) (10) [LO 1,2]
- Research paper of 5,000 words in total (90) [LO 1,2]
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
Approximately 130 hours of total student learning time over the relevant semester or session made up of approximately:
- 120 hours of independent student research, planning, meeting, reading and writing.
- 10 hours of supervisor project meetings. This is an opportunity for each student to discuss individual topic
Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their Supervisor and attend all supervisory meetings. An optional fortnightly research cohort meeting will be held to monitor progress
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Fenner School of Environment and Society to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Key reference for pre-reading:
IPCC 2022. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)].
Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-ii/
Preliminary Reading
Indicative readings will be provided on the course site in the Learning Management System
Assumed Knowledge
This course is normally taken following the methodology course in semester 2 of the previous year, ENVS8003 Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2673 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |