Module Information

The module covers energy, climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, waste, water and natural resource exploitation. The aim is to cover the key global threats and identify solutions and options to aspire towards future sustainable development. Scenarios and solutions are presented at the individual, societal and global levels, ranging from changes in behaviour to alternative energy use. The module provides excellent vocational skills and bridges the important gap between theory and practice in the environmental sciences. Workshops involve seminars, debates and case study exercises on relevant topics delivered / led by both staff and students. The workshops are complemented by two study visits focusing on energy and biodiversity.

The students will engage in non assessed oral presentations and discussion of topics and build confidence in the communication of science and sustainability. The content delivered, wider reading and communication skills are assessed by discussion of topics covered under oral examination conditions. Formative exercises and experience in class aim to prepare and develop the students for this assessment. Following exposure to various topics, mid-way in the Semester students engage in the development of a scoping study where they focus on a relevant topic of their choice. They scope forward and apply a technology or approach in order to achieve a more sustainable outcome for a given situation or problem. Students engage in formative exercises to provide them with confidence when critically interpreting research and the literature; to make them fully familiar with the scoping process; to improve their presentation and writing skills.

Week 1-11 Workshops covering topics and developing learning skills around Energy, Environment and Sustainability
Week 3 and 7 Field visits.