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Methods and theories for assessing and managing environmental risks

Course

Environmental Risks: Assessment and Management

7.5 credits

Autumn

100%

Campus

This Master’s level course includes in-depth case studies that explore similarities and differences among various environmental risks and comparisons between risks such as climate change and chemical pollution. It also studies the methods that are used, as well as the underlying theory and assumptions

Want to know why you should study at Södertörn University? Find out here.

Knowledge and expertise for the analysis and management of environmental change The interdisciplinary format of Environmental Science contributes to a wide range of available professions being open to you after graduation. You have the knowledge to analyse environmental change and society’s management of this, for example in research or consultancy work. Or you can contribute through knowledge of the management of environmental and sustainability issues, or provide information and communication activities about the environment and sustainability at companies or interest groups. Expertise on the environment and sustainable development is needed at all companies and organisations that analyse, communicate and manage issues related to sustainability and the environment. These are found in both the public and private sectors. Examples of workplaces include municipalities, state and international environmental management organisations or private businesses that work on sustainability and the environment. Studying Environmental Science provides direct links to local, national and global challenges in sustainability and the environment. It provides you with a stable background on which to promote societal debate and management of these issues, both in politics and in everyday life. Read about research in this subject
Case studies in the assessment and management of environmental risks This course will teach you to explain the multifaceted and interdisciplinary nature of environmental risk assessment and management and to analyse the different meanings and roles of risk assessment, risk evaluation, risk management and risk governance, as well as to describe the relationship between these concepts. You will also assess similarities and differences in risk assessment and risk management among important environmental issues such as climate change, chemical pollution, and impacts on biodiversity. You will also learn to analyse the implications of complexity, uncertainty and socio-political ambiguity for the assessment and management of environmental risks and to motivate and specify the need for integrating social and natural science based approaches. Course design These learning objectives are synthesised in a supervised case study project, in which you will analyse the assessment and management of a specific environmental risk issue and compare it to other environmental risks. As far as possible, the case study will be linked to current research. The course also includes lectures, seminars and presentations of case studies, and grades are awarded on the basis of the case study, oral presentations, peer review and seminar attendance.
Study how the links between humans and nature affect the environment When you study Environmental Science, you investigate the links between humanity and nature, and how these links affect the environment and sustainable development. The subject includes important societal issues and sustainability targets. You gain an understanding of environmental problems and the origin, scope and management of environmental change. You also get to look in detail at current environmental issues, such as reduced biodiversity, environmental toxins and climate issues. The subject has an interdisciplinary approach because it focuses on both humans and nature. This means that you study scientific subjects as much as subjects in the social sciences, giving you a broad understanding of contemporary and future challenges. For example, you study the link between the environment and people’s socioeconomic conditions, and how human activities such as agriculture and chemical use have an impact on ecosystems. Environmental Science has a broad and comprehensive perspective in which you investigate how society manages environmental issues and environmental problems. The subject also covers specific issues, such as the Baltic Sea’s environmental problems, the influence of forestry, and urban environments.