English translation of course syllabus

Environmental Risks: Assessment and Management, 7.5 credits

(Environmental Risks: Assessment and Management, 7,5 högskolepoäng)

Course code 1158MJ
Subject area Environmental Science
Main field of study Environmental Science
Progressive specialisation A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)
Academic school School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies
Disciplary domain Natural sciences 50%
Social sciences 50%
Grading scale AF
Education cycle Second-cycle (Master)
Language of instruction English
Valid from Autumn semester 2018

Validation

This course syllabus was validated by the Management Board of the School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies at Södertörn University on 2018-04-23 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.

Entry requirements

The equivalent of English B and a Bachelor's degree including 90 credits in Environmental Science, Bioscience, Political Science, Sociology, International Health or Media and Communication Studies, or equivalent, as the main field of studies.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student is able to:

  • explain the multifaceted and interdisciplinary nature of environmental risk assessment and management
  • analyse the different meanings and roles of risk assessment, risk evaluation, risk management and risk governance, as well as describe the relationship between these concepts
  • assess similarities and differences in risk assessment and risk management among important environmental issues such as climate change, chemical pollution, biodiversity impacts
  • analyse the implications of complexity, uncertainty and socio-political ambiguity for the assessment and management of environmental risks
  • motivate and specify the need for integrating social and natural science based approaches

Course content, modules and examinations

During the course, the role of risk assessment in environmental management is scrutinised by studying the methods that are used, as well as the underlying theory and assumptions. Moreover, interactions between institutions performing risk assessments and those of importance for risk management and governance are examined. Finally, similarities and differences among various environmental risk issues are explored through in-depth case studies and comparisons between risks such as climate change and chemical pollution.

1001, Environmental Risks: Assessment and Management, 7.5 credits
(Miljörisker: bedömning och hantering, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AF

Course design

The course includes lectures, presentations of case studies and seminars. Students conduct a supervised case study project in which the assessment and management of a specific environmental risk issue are analysed and compared with other environmental risks. Case study projects are, as far as possible, linked to ongoing research projects.

Examination format

Examination consists of:

  • A written case study project report
  • Oral presentations
  • Peer review of another student’s case study project
  • Seminar attendance
  • A project report that fails the examination at the end of the course may be revised and resubmitted a maximum of two times. If, after these revisions, the project report still does not pass, the student will be required to write a new project report.

Absence from seminars may, after consultation with the examiner, be compensated for through written assignments. However, this does not apply to the mandatory project presentation seminar, which includes a peer review of another student’s case study project. Absence from more than 50% of the seminars requires that the student takes the course again.

The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.

The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.

If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.

Restrictions on accreditation

The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.

Other stipulations

Following the Vice-Chancellors decision on internationalization and grade scale at Södertörn University College (dnr: 1148-1.1.2-2018), this syllabus replaces the syllabus with course code 1096MJ, with the difference that the grade system has been updated. The syllabus is determined through special order (dnr: 1776-2.1.1-2018).