Palaeoclimatology: Discovering Earth's past climate

Palaeoclimatology is the study of past changes to Earth's climate. You will study past climate changes across different time scales in order to provide context for present-day human-induced climate change. You will examine the evolution of Earth's climate from the formation of our planet to the present day; develop foundation knowledge of the methods used to reconstruct past climates using climate archives and proxy records; and examine the physical processes causing past changes in climate. The role of human influence on the climate will be explored from the time of early Homo sapiens through to the industrial revolution. In this unit, you will apply and consolidate skills in deductive reasoning, critical thinking, quantitative analysis, communication (written and oral), and interpersonal relations. Your learning will be achieved through lectures, active participation workshops, practicals, and, when possible, field trips. This unit will build on your prior study in climate, earth, atmosphere, environment or geographical sciences.