Entry requirements

180 credits, corresponding to Bachelor/1st degree in Science or Engineering in one of the following areas: biology, ecology, earth sciences, environmental sciences, aquatic science, chemistry.

Learning outcomes

The course is an introduction to the Joint Master Programme Ecological Management of Catchments (Ecocatch).

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

• apply the catchment continuum concept in discussions of ecological management of catchments
• describe an overview of the aims and contents of the EU Water Framework Directive
• describe the variations of environmental conditions over Europe, as exemplified by selected catchments in the Ecocatch countries
• identify research opportunities and possible directions for their degree project

Content

Introduction to the catchment continuum concept, catchment definitions, the hydrological cycling, fluxes of energy and matter in catchment ecosystems. Water resource management and use of different ecosystem services in different European countries. Research information from the different Ecocatch universities, introduction to selected catchments in the different partner countries and potential topics for Master theses. During the course the student will have an opportunity to create a network for the coming studies.

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory sessions, field practicals, seminars and group exercises, student presentations.

Assessment

For a passing grade, active participation in seminars, lab and field studies is required. Approved written and oral presentations are also required, performed individually as well as in groups.

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.