The saying, “climate is what you expect, weather is what you get”, sums up why you will study atmospheric processes from two different time perspectives in this unit. You will examine how the atmosphere, the oceans and the land exchange radiation, heat and water to create the physical structure and circulation characteristics of the troposphere. You will explore the forces that create the life-cycle of weather features with particular attention to Australian examples. Your study will examine how these features are depicted in weather maps. The importance of time and spatial scales with respect to weather systems will be emphasised. In recent years, atmospheric research has unmasked a range of longer-term climate features that have a profound influence on Australian weather. You will learn how the fluctuations of these climate structures affect our region. You will gain introductory experience in using weather data from instruments, radar, satellites and weather models. This will lead to an examination of climate data – where to find it and how to use it. You will examine case studies of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' weather knowledge.

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student feedback.

The learning material content is too large.

The unit learning material will be reviewed to trim the content.

Feedback from Student feedback.

The use of Mean Sea-level Pressure charts could be scaffolded better for non-environmental science students.

The unit learning material will be reviewed to provide content suitable for students taking the unit as an elective.