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MSc Climate Change; MSc Environmental Modelling
GEOG0109: Models in Environmental Science
Course paper requirements
Environmental system modelling uses a wide range of approaches. One of the challenges in
modelling is to be able to make a sensible choice of model, and to justify this with reference to the
nature of the problem and the available data. It is also important to be able to communicate the
pros and cons of the chosen model ling methods in a way that is easily understood by users, who
will often not be expert modellers.
The assessment for this module involves production of a critical review of a specific modelling
approach and some of the environmental or climate change science problems to which it can be
usefully applied. We have prepared a list of suitable topics, but please contact the course convenor
(Jon French, j.french@ucl.ac.uk) if you want to stray off this list. We will try to accommodate
anyone with particular interests.
The provisional list of topics is:
Empirical transfer function models (useful Web of Science search options: [“Transfer
function” environmental] or [“Transfer function” paleoecology] – but please experiment a
little with these!)
Machine learning (useful Web of Science search options: [e.g. “Machine learning”
hydrology], [“Machine learning” climate] etc. to narrow the field a little)
Box models (useful Web of Science search options: [err, well … try “Box model” ], and then
refine the field to something like ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ECOLOGY or
METEOROLOGY ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES. You will then get around 1,000 hits rather
than 10,000!
Fluid dynamics models (useful Web of Science search options: [“environmental fluid
dynamics model” or “hydrodynamic model” – maybe with “river” “coastal” “atmospheric” etc.
to narrow the field a little)
Coupled models (useful Web of Science search options: [e.g. “Coupled ocean-atmosphere
model”], “model coupling”)
Spatial models (useful Web of Science search options: [e.g. “spatially distributed
hydrological” model]
Causal loop models
Reviews should have a title of the form
‘Empirical transfer function models in climate science: a critical review’
or
‘Empirical transfer function models in environmental science: a critical review’
Depending on whether you wish to focus on climate change or environmental science in general.
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Content and structure
Your review should include:
A brief introduction to the history of the approach and more recent environmental/climate
science applications. One or more diagrams might be useful here.
A summary of basic assumptions / foundations of the chosen approach, with an indication
of application areas. You might narrow the focus to a selected field at this point given that,
fluid dynamics models, for example, are very widely applied indeed. Equations are useful
(and are not included in the word limit).
Illustrative case study applications and some of the active areas of research or model
development. A good review will not just describe one case study after the other but will
highlight details that illustrate particular aspects / variations of the approach. You are
encouraged to produce one or more tables to summarise a selection of models / model
types.
A critical discussion to sum up some of the pros and cons, including areas where the
chosen model type offers the best approach, and some where it is less applicable. You
might also identify areas where research is onoing or some challenges for the future in
terms of improving our modelling capability.
References
Presentation guidelines
Reviews should be word-processed. Do not use font sizes less than 11. Include page numbers.
Figures or tables may be used where appropriate. There is no page limit.
All references should be cited in the text and detailed in full in a list of references, formatted in a
consistent style (you can choose any journal style you like).
Do NOT include an abstract.
Word limit
Reviews should be no more than 2500 words in length (excluding references and figure captions,
tables etc). Penalties apply for exceedance of the word limit (refer to MSc Examination Rules).
Marking criteria
Coursework is assessed against the matrix of criteria provided on under the Assessment and
Examinations tab of the Geography PGT Moodle page (refer to the matrix for Coursework).
Further guidance
An example of a published review article (Bach, P.M. et al. 2014. Review: A critical review of
integrated urban water modelling: Urban drainage and beyond. Environmental Modelling and
Software 54, 88-107) can be downloaded from the Geog0109 Moodle page.
Note that this is much longer than your word limit and you are not expected to produce anything
quite as ambitious as this! It is intended to indicate the kind of academic writing style that is
required and to show how tables and figures can be used to good effect to replace a lot of words.
Deadline
The completed practical report should be submitted using the Turnitin system via the Moodle page
by the advertised deadline. Turnitin checks for plagiarism and the penalties for this are severe –
please refer to MSc Examination Rules.
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