Global Sustainability Challenges, 5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• General entry requirements for undergraduate studies 
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should be able:

• to describe and analyse global environmental problems and biogeochemical processes in relation to the social, ecological and economic dimensions of sustainable development
• to identify planetary boundaries and discuss their relationship to sustainable development
• to apply and compare scientific perspectives to discuss complex relationships, synergies and goal conflicts in sustainable development

Course content

The course introduces and problematizes concepts such as environmental challenges, planetary boundaries and sustainable development by studying climate change, biodiversity, eutrophication, and water and land issues. Planetary boundaries can be understood as a framework for economic and social development and are thus closely associated with the concept of sustainable development. 

The course thus deals with the causes and effects of global environmental problems, and discusses the social, political and economic conditions at play within the planetary boundaries.

Teaching and working methods

Teaching takes place remotely and consists of lectures, laboratory sessions, workshops, seminars and group work. The laboratory work of the course is carried out online with equipments and uses laboratory methods intended to identify, quantify and analyze substances in nature that are the result of human activities. The students are also expected to conduct self-study.

The language of instruction and examination is English.

Examination

The course is examined by: 

• active participation in seminars, grading scale: EC (P/F) 
• group work, grading scale: EC (P/F)
• individual written assignment, grading scale: EC

To obtain Pass (E) as a final grade, at least E is required on the individual assignment, and Pass on the other parts. 

Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course’s 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 conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

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.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department