Designing Environmental Studies in Sustainable Development, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master´s Programme in Science for Sustainable Development

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen in one of the following areas: 
  - natural sciences, 
  - social sciences, 
  - humanities or
  - engineering
• 15 ECTS credits passed in Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Development or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student should be able to:
- design a study in sustainable development
- analyse and discuss different scientific methods, their strengths and limitations, in relation to relevant examples within the field of knowledge
- formulate, analyse and present an environmental problem orally and in writing
- critically discuss the design and methodology of studies for sustainable development.

Course content

The course contains of own field work, experimental design, laboratory exercises, workshops, lectures and seminars.

The content of the course is research design based on research questions within science for sustainable development, relevant in both natural and social science. It will include methods for sampling and gaining of data, analysis and presentation of results. The students will acquire knowledge and skills of various quantitative and qualitative methods for analysis of relationships between the environment and the society. The students will also design an own field study, including individually in-depth studies of chosen methods.

Teaching and working methods

Field work, experimental design, laboratory exercises, workshops, lectures and seminars. Language of instruction: English.

Examination

The course is examined through a combination of active participation in seminars and workshops, written assignments and a final paper. Each student shall act as a discussant on another student’s paper. Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department