Decisions and guidelines

According to a decision taken by the Vice Chancellor 2017-06-21, Uppsala University will offer a Bachelor Programme in Energy Transition – Sustainability and Leadership.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies in Sweden. Also required is:

• advanced level mathematics (equivalent of Swedish course Mathematics 3b/3c);
• intermediate level natural sciences (equivalent of Swedish course Natural Sciences 2); and
• basic level social sciences (equivalent of Swedish course Social Sciences 1b/1a1+1a2).

All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

• IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
• TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
• Cambridge: CAE, CPE

Aims

A degree from the Bachelor Programme in Energy Transition – Sustainability and Leadership at Uppsala University will provide the student with broad and interdisciplinary skills and knowledge within the main subject area of sustainable energy transition. The programme additionally provides knowledge within fields related to the main subject area. This programme will prepare students for em­ployment in industry or government as well as allow for the possibility of advanced studies in social or natural science.

Learning outcomes

According to the Swedish Higher Education Act the following applies for first-cycle studies:

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by pupils in national study programmes in the upper-secondary schools or its equivalent.

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments,
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level,
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field. (Ordinance 2009:1037).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Qualifications ordinance, the following applies for a Degree of Bachelor (180 credits):

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the field, knowledge of applicable methodologies in the field, specialised study in some aspect of the field as well as awareness of current research issues.

For the Bachelors Programme in Energy Transition – Sustainability and Leadership a student shall

• have a basic level of knowledge and understanding of the natural, technical as well as social sciences which are related to energy transition from an interdisciplinary perspective and on different societal levels,
• show an understanding of energy transition’s conditions and meaning in relation to an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable society as well as its different technical possibilities and limitations, and
• be able to describe the existing structures and objectives in society which regulate the work with energy transition.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to search for, gather, evaluate and critically interpret the relevant information for a formulated problem and also discuss phenomena, issues and situations critically
• demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously and to complete tasks within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss information, problems and solutions in speech and writing and in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required to work autonomously in the main field of study.

For the Bachelors Programme in Energy Transition – Sustainability and Leadership a student shall

• demonstrate the ability to identify challenges and formulate responses in an energy transition from an interdisciplinary perspective which includes aspects from natural, technical and social sciences,
• demonstrate the ability to gather, critically evaluate and systematically integrate relevant information in work with energy transition, and
• demonstrate proficiency in communication, cooperation and leadership in relation to a sustainable energy transition, as well as be able to analyse, implement and evaluate assignments and projects within a specified time.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues,
• demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning.

For the Bachelors Programme in Energy Transition – Sustainability and Leadership a student shall

• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate challenges and responses in an energy transition from an interdisciplinary perspective which includes aspects from natural, technical and social sciences, and
• demonstrate the ability to gather, critically evaluate and systematically integrate relevant information in work with energy transition.

Layout of the programme

The programme’s courses are structured to provide a progression in both width and depth within the interdisciplinary main subject area of energy transition while also addressing sustainability questions and leadership.

The programme’s first year begins with an introduction to sustainable energy transition and interdisciplinary work by highlighting central perspectives and components in the energy system, sustainability and related scientific work. This is followed by courses in Projects and Leadership, and Energy and Systems. During the second semester more advanced courses are given where climate change is brought up as a central factor in the need for an energy transition. In addition the basic aspects and dimensions of a sustainable energy transition with regards to energy conversion and utilization (energy production and consumption) are addressed. A course introducing scientific methods is also given during the second semester.

At the beginning its second year the programme offers courses addressing different societal perspectives, such as Social Change, Participation and Leadership for a sustainable energy transition. Here perspectives related to planning and economic sustainability are also considered. During the second semester more in-depth knowledge about the drivers and technological possibilities for energy transition are taken up. Additionally further courses addressing energy and leadership systems that are relevant for a sustainable energy transition are given.

The programme’s third year begins with a semester where the student may choose a course relevant to the programme, such as a course on Campus Gotland. It is even possible for the student to do an internship with an external partner this semester. These studies can be done at Campus Gotland or Uppsala, at another university in Sweden or in another country. The programme’s last semester consists of an interdisciplinary project course where the programme’s focus on interdisciplinary understanding and leadership can be applied to a concrete, energy related case. The programme concludes with an in-depth scientific methods course which prepares students for the independent work required for the programme’s concluding thesis (degree project).

Instruction

Using sustainability as the starting point, the programme’s interdisciplinary profile includes the natural, technical and social sciences. Current theoretical and empirical knowledge and connections to research are of great importance for the programme’s teaching as is maintaining a generally ethical and source critical approach. The programme’s teaching is especially designed to create good conditions for individual and shared learning and is designed to fit the character of the main subject area. The programme distinguishes itself with its student activating teaching methods for mutual learning and practical exercises in leadership in student groups. Some parts of courses are primarily theoretical in nature and consist of lectures, literature studies and written assignments while other parts are more practically oriented and focus on projects, exercises or study visits. Practice and development of oral and written communication skills is a part of all of the programme’s courses. Using guest lectures, study visits, project assignments and other types of contacts with the labour market the students are given a chance to practically apply their knowledge, create networks and to get insight into the energy transition job market. Courses in the programme are given in English.

Degree

Upon request, the Vice Chancellor will award a Bachelor of Science, with Sustainable Energy Transition as the main field of study.

A Degree of Bachelor is a so called general degree, which means that the student achieve the degree in its main subject according to the criteria below, regardless of the courses being part of the program or not, therefore there is a possibility also to include single subject courses in the degree.

Regulations according to Higher Education Ordinance

A Degree of Bachelor is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 180 credits in a defined specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, of which 90 credits are for progressively specialised study in the principal field (main field of study) of the programme.

Independent project (degree project)

A requirement for the award of a Degree of Bachelor is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 15 credits in the main field of study.

Local regulations

In addition to 90 credits in the main field of study, a minor field of study of at least 30 credits is also required.

A Degree of Bachelor may, except for courses on basic level, contain one or several courses on advanced level comprising not more than 60 higher education credits.

At Uppsala University, the requirement of the progressively specialisation in the main field of study in the Higher Education Ordinance is interpreted as at least 30 credits at the lowest level G2.

Other directives

Students who, outside the programme, have acquired equivalent qualifications corresponding to at least 30 credits, may apply to be accepted to a later part of the programme.