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.
Why this subject? The course provides a multidisciplinary analysis of international cooperation on the environment and how environmental issues are managed at different levels, globally, nationally and locally. There is a particular emphasis on the role of experts in environmental management and how different forms of expertise, including stakeholder knowledge, interact with scientific knowledge. Theories related to multi-level governance, framing and views on democracy are used to analyse complex social relationships and forms of cooperation surrounding global environmental problems. The course makes links to current research on how aspects relating to the environment and sustainability are dealt with by experts and stakeholders in relation to climate, environmental and sustainability challenges. Teaching provides deeper insight into the importance of experts and how different types of expertise influence decision-making processes. Examples from literature and teacher-led activities highlight real challenges such as climate change, land management, chemicals management and issues of justice. Course design The course is based on lectures and active participation in seminars on campus.
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.
