Print Syllabus

Syllabus

MX0138 Environmental Management in Europe, 15.0 Credits

Miljöförvaltning i Europa

Subjects

Environmental Science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	15.0	0201

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to:

- 120 credits at basic level

- English 6

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide a solid understanding of how environmental management in Europe is applied at different scales, from the EU level to the national, regional and local levels. Focus is on environmental management of soil, water, air, biodiversity and climate.

Upon completion of the course the student should be be able to:

• summarise the background, the fundamental principles and the managerial approaches embedded in EU environmental legislation,

• identify how different tools and resources for environmental management can be used to acquire knowledge about the state of the environment and solve environmental problems,

• describe how insight and skills in natural sciences are used together with economics, law and planning in contributing to contemporary environmental management,

• reflect about own environmental ethics, and how environmental ethics and sustainability concepts of different stakeholders affect actual environmental policy in the EU,

• apply environmental management tools and resources to analyse environmental policy initiatives

• compare the implementation of environmental policies in different EU member states,

• apply EU environmental policy to cooperate and work independently with environmental management,

• discuss how environmental management in Europe is applied at different scales, from the EU level to the national, regional and local levels.

Content

• The teaching is conducted through Internet-based modules with E-lessons with weekly deadlines, as well as group assignments and individual tasks. The role of the teachers is to act as moderators for the E-lessons and giving feedback. The course includes online exercises, two group assignments and four individual assignments. At the beginning of the course, all students will meet at Copenhagen University for a joint introduction to the program and for a study visit to the European Environmental Agency.

• The course starts with an overview of European natural resources and the current environment within the EU. Subsequently, environmental management, environmental monitoring and assessment, EU environmental legislation and EU environmental policy are introduced. Furthermore, environmental ethics and sustainability concepts as well as economic tools for environmental assessment will be discussed. A number of case studies based on actual environmental policy initiatives within the EU (e.g. the Habitats Directive, the Water and the Air Quality directives) will be used to address the origin of these initiatives and how they are implemented from EU to national, regional and local level. The scientific and political background for the various initiatives will be analysed and discussed. The course will also describe how environmental assessment and financial tools are used to support decision making and to evaluate environmental policy, as well as how EU directives are interpreted and implemented in the different Member States. The environmental, economic and social consequences of EU environmental policy and the need for EU environmental policy integration will also be discussed. The Water Framework Directive is central because it links to a number of other EU directives.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Students will be assessed based on results on exercises, two group assignments and four individual assignments. Details of the assessment are given at the start of the course. The final grade will be given based on participation and quality submitted assignments.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The course will be co-ordinated with the corresponding course at Copenhagen University. Students may follow the course in the first or second year of their Master programme, e.g. as a part of the Basic Semester Package in the EnvEuro MSc programme in Environmental Science.

Responsible department

Department of Aquatic Science and Assessment