Tag(s)
[BSc], EES, S
Admission Requirements
None.
Description
This is an introduction to the field of Environmental Science, which builds on the GC: Sustainability and GC: Environmental Change_ courses. The course focuses on ecosystems and biodiversity. Important concepts in environmental science are discussed, as well as key methods in which environmental impacts are assessed (e.g. field, modelling and lab studies), and the advantages and disadvantages of these assessment methods in relationship with their uncertainties.
Students will conduct a group research project, in which the design and collection of data on a local environmental topic. Students will conduct some basic data analyses and interpretation of the results. This way students receive both theory in the classroom, and apply this knowledge during a research project.
Course Objectives
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the field of environmental sciences, and to develop important academic skills. More specifically, at the end of the course students are able to:
Define and discuss important concepts in the field of environmental sciences;
Describe major environmental processes related to ecosystems and biodiversity, and discuss how these processes can be affected by human activity;
Critically evaluate scientific publications in the field of environmental science, and defend whether they agree or not with the conclusions made within the publication;
Describe and discuss strength and weaknesses of different methods used in environmental science to determine impacts;
Conduct a experiment, write a report and give a presentation and the outcomes of the experiment, thereby gaining experience in important scientific skills.
Mode of Instruction
The main mode of instruction will center around lectures and discussions on current topics on environmental sciences. In addition, students are required to complete individual and group assignments. To facilitate completion of these assignments, there will be some time set aside during lectures to discuss and work on assignments (the remainder of the work is conducted outside class hours).
Literature
No textbook is required; readings will be provided in the syllabus.
Contact Information
Block 3: Dr.Thijs Bosker, t.bosker@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Block 4: Dr. Martina Vijver, vijver@cml.leidenuniv.nl