Course content

Ecological sustainability, resilience, ecosystem services and impacts of human interventions on ecosystems by land use, climate change, pollution, hazardous chemicals, acidification, harvesting / exploitation, distribution of species and organisms.
Ecosystem structure and function, energy and matter, production and biogeochemical cycles. Species, evolution, population and community, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, biomes and biological diversity.
National and global environmental institutions, important conventions, legislation, environmental status, sustainability reporting, indicators, the DPSIR-system and policy from governmental report,green economy, GEO5, RIO+20, EP1, IPCC, IPBES, TEEB /The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity), Red List and Nature Index of Norway.

Learning outcome

The position and function of the course:
The course is as a K-emne (Complimentary course) for the engineering and technology master programmes, for the first year of MIHMS and MHMS study programmes, and for Industrial Ecology (in Norwegian).
The course should contribute to the learning outcome regarding ecology, ecological sustainability, environmental impacts and analysis connected to technology, business and social responsibility.

The course will detail to the following knowledge areas:
General knowledge about ecology, ecological sustainability, resilience and human utilization of nature and natural resources to secure well-being and security.
General knowledge about ecology, ecosystem based on standard text book.
General knowledge about environmental policy and sustainable development.
Specific knowledge for applying knowledge about ecological sustainability, planetary biophysical boundaries, ecosystems services and values associated to technology, business and companies.
Specific knowledge about national and global environmental status connected to biodiversity, climate, pollution, environmental toxins, land use, resource economy, and distribution of species and organisms.
Specific knowledge about global initiatives, models and indicator systems for integration of ecological knowledge, driving forces, governance and green production systems.

The course will give the students the following competence:
Competence in applying and evaluating ecological knowledge in relationship to technological and societal development.
Competence in analysing and evaluation national and global environmental status, planetary biophysical boundaries, scenarios and trends related to sustainable development.

Other important learning outcomes:
Through group work shall the students do an environmental project and write and academic report including oral presentation which will contribute with practical training in order to identify, analyse, evaluate and argue about ecological sustainability connected to technology, business, enterprises and social development.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and written exercise. The exercise is compulsory and done in groups. Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The portfolio includes a final written exam (multiple choice) (60%) and exercises (40%). The results for the parts are given in %-scores, while the entire portfolio is assigned a letter grade. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may change from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

No specific requirements.

Course materials

A literature list is handed out in the beginning of the course.

Credit reductions