Syllabus for Environmental and Climate Change

Miljö och klimat i förändring

A revised version of the syllabus is available.

Syllabus

  • 10 credits
  • Course code: 1GV172
  • Education cycle: First cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Environmental Science G1F, Earth Science G1F

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
  • Established: 2018-03-08
  • Established by:
  • Revised: 2020-02-12
  • Revised by: The Faculty Board of Science and Technology
  • Applies from: Autumn 2020
  • Entry requirements:

    15 credits in environmental science, earth science, sustainable energy transition or biology.

  • Responsible department: Department of Earth Sciences

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  • describe the relationship between the geological and climatic development of the Earth.
  • explain the basic physical principles of the global climate system.
  • give an account of natural climatic and environmental changes which have occurred over different time scales.
  • describe current energy politics and energy systems related to climate change.
  • account for the effect of climate change on society and how society works with the effects of climate change and climate adaptation.
  • present group work in an oral presentation and written report.

Content

The course examines environmental and climate change from the latest glacial maximum (about 20,000 years before present). Natural climate archives are examined as evidence of environmental and climate change. The physical basis for the climate system is investigated including effects of atmospheric circulation and ocean currents on global climate. Basic oceanography and hydrology related to climate processes. Other processes such as volcanism that can initiate global change are presented. Impact on different social institutions and infrastructure, and how to work with climate change and to limit climate change today. Basic energy policy and energy system concepts are presented in connection with environmental and climate change.

Instruction

The course contains lectures, exercises, seminars and project work in group.

Assessment

Examination in the course is divided between one written exam (4 credits), exercises and seminars (4 credits), and a course project to be presented orally and in written form (2 credits).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.

Syllabus Revisions

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Autumn 2020

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

Selected scientific articles and book chapters.

  • Cresser, Malcolm S. Introduction to environmental science : Earth and man

    Harlow: Prentice Hall, 2012

    Find in the library

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