Climate change: Past, present and future



Overview

Over the last couple of years, climate change has become particularly prominent in the media, thanks to various high-profile activists and groups, and there is now the sense that there is real momentum to do something about future catastrophic human-induced climate change.  However, climate and the science and politics of climate change are still a mystery to many people, and indeed some people continue to deny its very existence or that human activities are harmful.

This course will allow you to understand the basics of the climate system, how it has varied in the past, present and future, and how these changes have impacted society. 

We will begin by discussing the climate system and the greenhouse effect, before looking at past and present-day climate. Measurements of climatic conditions using conventional or satellite instruments are fundamental in understanding climate, and for informing climate models – there are, however, uncertainties. We will then discuss the impacts of future climate change, as well as possible adaptation and mitigation approaches both scientific and political.

Programme details

Course begins: 23 April 2025

Week 1: Introduction to the course, people and the climate system

Week 2: The Greenhouse Effect

Week 3: Past Climate

Week 4: Current Climate and Variability

Week 5: Measurements

Week 6: Climate Models

Week 7: Impacts of Future Climate

Week 8: Adaptation vs Mitigation

Week 9: Uncertainties

Week 10: Politics and Course Summary

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee for each course you enrol on. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. If you do not register when you enrol, you have up until the course start date to register and pay the £30 fee. 

See more information on CATS point

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework, but only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education, you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee. 

 

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment, whether registered for credit or not, will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £285.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Charlie Williams

Charlie Williams is a Climate Scientist, appointed as a Lecturer in Earth System Modelling at the University of Bristol and a Senior Research Fellow at University College London.  He specialises in climate modelling, and his current research focuses on climate change during the geological past (ranging from thousands, to millions, of years ago) and whether this can tell us anything about possible future climate change.

Course aims

Provide basic understanding of the Earth's climate system, how it varies, and it's societal impacts.

Course Objectives:

  • To provide an appreciation and interest in the climate system, which controls our weather patterns.
  • To enable students to understand how climate has varied in the past, present and future, from both natural and human causes.
  • To provide necessary background to speak knowledgeably about climate change.

Teaching methods

Students will have access to a pre-recorded lecture each week and will be asked to read one or two relevant selections each week before the weekly live session. Live sessions will provide an opportunity to ask questions and for class discussion on the topic.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

1. Identify reasons for variations in climate across the globe and in time

2. Analyse and describe the current climate system, and how it might change in the future

3. Discuss issues relating to climate change, such as political agendas and adaptation/mitigation approaches

Assessment methods

Set in Week 3: Multiple choice quiz on the Greenhouse Effect

Set in Week 7: Worksheet on the past & present climate

Set in Week 10: Essay on "The Challenges of Climate Science" with options of sub-topics (Uncertainties in Science, Sceptics debate, Challenges of Climate Change in Politics). 1500 word limit

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

We will close for enrolments 14 days prior to the start date to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email you at that time (14 days before the course begins) with further information and joining instructions. As always, students will want to check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received.

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support