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Multidisciplinary group work on an environmental science project

Course

Multidisciplinary Research Project in Environmental Science

7.5 credits

During this course, groups produce a multidisciplinary research project in environmental science, focusing on ecosystem management, infectious disease control or environment, communication and politics. You will identify a research problem and formulate a research question within a chosen environmental specialisation.

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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
Identify a research problem and examine it through project work This Master’s level course involves group work on the development of a multidisciplinary research project in environmental science, specialising in ecosystem management, infectious disease control or environment, communication and politics. In consultation with your supervisor, your group will identify a research problem and formulate a research question within a chosen environmental specialisation, and then produce a multidisciplinary research project that integrates various relevant and useful theoretical perspectives and methodological tools. Course design The course is based on group work under supervision and includes introductory lectures, although the majority of the course is seminar-based and applies a problem-oriented approach. Interim reports are submitted and a written project description is handed in by each group at the end of the course. This should be of sufficiently high quality to make it a potential conference presentation. Grades are awarded on the basis of the reports and final project, oral presentations, peer review of another project and participation in seminars.
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.