Entry requirements

General entry requirements and Mathematics 3b/3c, Science Studies 2, Social Studies 1b/1a1+1a2 or Mathematics C, Science Studies B, Civics A

Learning outcomes

After passing the course the student shall be able to:

• give examples of important environmental issues and challenges for the future
• summarize historical and geographic perspectives on todays environmental problems and the development of a global environmental concern
• describe community processes that have an influence on natural resourses and their management
• identify important factors for communication of environmental issues
• describe basic ecological theory and some field methods
• describe biogeochemical cycles
• give a general review of basic environmental chemical and ecotoxicological therory
• show an ability in basic written and oral presentation techniques
• reflect on his/her own and society's role in sources to and solving central environmental problems

Content

Environmental history, today's environmental and sustainability questions as well as processes and structures to handle these questions in various contexts. Biogeochemical cycles. Various prerequisites for the use and management of natural resources. Chemicals and poisonous substances in the environment. Basic ecology. Introduction to ecological methodology, including field methods. Farming and forestry in an environmental science perspective. Social and ethical aspects of environmental problems and management of natural resourses are discussed in a thematic form as case studies. The course also includes study visits and meetings with environmentalists in work and society.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and exercises.

Assessment

Written and oral presentations connected to various exercises (6 credits), seminars and study visits (2 credits), and written examination (7 credits).