Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Climate Change and Natural Hazards (2500237) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

In this subject the causes and impacts of climate change and global and regional climate models will be studied. Next, the bases will be established for the evaluation, prediction and prevention of the impacts of hydrometeorological processes (river floods and "flash floods"), geological (stability of slopes, landslides and soil erosion), marine (coastal flooding due to the effects of storms of sea and change in the wave climate) and droughts, fires, heat waves and others. 1. Evaluate, predict and prevent impacts caused by hydrometeorological and geological processes, droughts, fires, heat waves and others. 2. Understand the causes and impacts of climate change from global and regional climate models. Climate Change and Natural Risks. In this subject the causes and impacts of climate change and global and regional climate models will be studied. Next, the bases for evaluation, prediction and prevention of the impacts of hydrometeorological processes (fluvial floods and "flash floods"), geological (slope stability, landslides and soil erosion), marine (coastal flooding due to storms) will be established. waves and change in wave climate) and droughts, fires, heat waves and others.

Competencies

Especific

Apply the methodologies of studies and evaluations of environmental impact and, in general, of environmental technologies, sustainability and waste treatment and of the management of international standards of environmental quality. Life cycle analysis, carbon footprint and water footprint and assess natural hazards (river, coastal floods, droughts, fires, soil erosion and landslides).

Identify renewable energy generation techniques and energy transition concept.

Generic

Identify, formulate and solve problems related to environmental engineering.

Apply the functions of consulting, analysis, design, calculation, project, construction, maintenance, conservation and exploitation of any action in the territory in the field of environmental engineering.

To use in any action in the territory proven methods and accredited technologies, in order to achieve the greatest efficiency respect for the environment and the protection of the safety and health of workers and users.

Apply the necessary legislation during the professional practice of environmental engineering.

Apply business management techniques and labor legislation.

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 57h 95.00 %
Laboratory classes 3h 5.00 %
Self Study 90h

Teaching Methodology

The course consists of four hours per week of classroom instruction (large group) and one hour per week for approximately 12 small groups of students. Four hours per week are devoted to theoretical and practical classes in the large group, where the teaching staff explain the basic concepts and materials of the subject, present examples, and carry out exercises. One hour (small group) is devoted to problem-solving, with greater interaction with students and monitoring of group work. Practical exercises are supervised in order to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. Support material is provided in the form of a detailed teaching plan via the ATENEA virtual campus: content, schedule of assessment and guided learning activities, and bibliography. Although most sessions will be taught in the language indicated in the guide, sessions with the support of other guest experts may occasionally be held in another language.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

Ordinary Evaluation (EO) The qualification of the continuous evaluation is the weighted arithmetic mean of the exercises/problems (Pr) carried out during the course, of the directed activities such as assignments or reports (Tr) and of the partial exams (Ex, which will have the same value). There will be two partial exams and they will count for 70% of the grade. Problems will count 15% and directed activities will count 15%. The final mark will be EO=0.7*(average of Ex1 and Ex2)+0.15*(average of Pr) +0.15*(average of Tr). To pass, the EO grade must be greater than or equal to 5. Re-evaluation (RE) Qualification and admission criteria for re-evaluation (Re): Students who have failed the ordinary evaluation and who have regularly attended the assessment tests of the failed subject will have the option to take a reassessment test in the period set in the academic calendar. Students who have already passed or students who have not been submitted or who have not handed in all the exercises/problems (Pr) and the papers and reports (Tr) may not take the reassessment test of a subject. The reassessment (RE) will consist of a single exam that covers all the content of the course. The maximum grade for the reassessment will be five (5.0) and the final grade for the course will be the maximum grade between the continuous assessment and the reassessment exam, that is, MAX(EO/RE). The non-attendance of a student summoned to the re-evaluation test, held in the set period, may not lead to another test at a later date. Extraordinary evaluations will be carried out for those students who, due to accredited force majeure, have not been able to take any of the continuous evaluation tests. These tests must be authorized by the corresponding head of studies, at the request of the professor responsible for the subject, and will be carried out within the corresponding school period.

Test Rules

If any of the continuous assessment activities are not carried out in the scheduled period, it will be considered a zero score. The tests will be carried out individually, with multiple choice questions that can be theoretical or problem type questions. The exams can include short questions to be developed by the students and exercises to be solved.

Office Hours

Flexible schedules to be agreed between teachers and students

Bibliography

Basic