Course Objective

The aim of this course is to provide students with the fundamental ideas
and concepts in the field of environmental sciences and with analytical
tools needed for a reflection on the nature of environmental problems
and its possible solutions.

After completing this course, the student is able to:
• Explain the drivers of current global change challenges;
• Explain why transformation to sustainability is challenging;
• Evaluate solutions for sustainability challenges;
• Apply the major scientific concepts related to sustainability science
to tangible cases;
• Frame and analyse a given environmental problem;
• Understand the role and governance different stakes of a given
environmental problem.

Course Content

Concepts and Solutions in Sustainability Science studies the
interactions between human actions and the abiotic environment. How do
human actions influence land, water and biodiversity? Which actions can
we take to moderate these effects? How accepted and effective are such
measures? How does this affect our well-being? Lectures and tutorials
provide a background on drivers, pressures, state changes, impacts and
responses to environmental change by taking stock of different
disciplines, including economy, ecology, geography, and environmental
policy.

The course consists of 10 modules, that each deal with concepts related
to sustainability and environmental change, or a potential solution to
environmental impacts.

Teaching Methods

The course consists of 10 modules, that each deal with concepts related
to sustainability and environmental change, or a potential solution to
environmental impacts. Each module consists of
1. a preparation that involves reading a scientific paper accompanied by
2. a reading assignment,
3. an introductory lecture,
4. and a tutorial in which you apply the introduced concepts and
solutions in a hands-on exercise.
The course is completed with a wrap-up lecture.

Study load:
Lectures: 11h
Tutorials: 11h
Self study - tutorial exercises: 60h
Self study - lecture preparation and reading assignments: 44h
Self study - exam preparation: 40h
Exam: 2h

Method of Assessment

The courses is graded through an exam (50%) and the reading assignments
and exercises (50%).

Literature

Mandatory literature of Concepts and Solutions in Sustainability Science
comprises a selection of scientific literature that is distributed
through Canvas. Each module builds on a short scientific article, or
selected parts of longer articles. All key concepts are summarized in a
glossary on Canvas, which is also mandatory literature.