LNAK10095U Restoration of European Ecosystems and Freshwaters

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Content
The specific topic of the course will change from year to year depending on the location of the field course and not all of the following topics will be taught every year. The topics comprise: Geochemical processes, geomorphology, biogeochemical cycles of C, N, P, O and trace elements, atmospheric deposition, soil hydrology and soil physical properties, soil erosion, groundwater and surface waters, transport processes, systems for sampling, analysis and monitoring of pollutants in soil and groundwater, quality assurance, the retention, degradation and bioavailability of organic pollutants, heavy metals, soil acidification, radio nuclides, eutrophication, conservation of C in terrestrial ecosystems, liberation of green house gases (CO2, CH4, N2O), quantification of air, soil and water quality, (bio)remediation, modelling tools for quantification of fluxes and mass balances, restoration and conservation of landscapes/natural resources, quality criteria for soil and water, local practises used in multifunctional land use management, national and EU environmental policy and legislation applied to management of soil and water resources, links between environmental quality and health, conflicts between different groups of users (rural/urban areas, ornithologists/hunters, tourists/local population, ...).
Learning Outcome

The main objective of the course is to apply natural science theory and methods to actual environmental and biodiversity issues at field scale. To get a closer look at restoration of ecosystems and freshwaters in order achieve the goals set in the Habitat Directive and the Water Framework Directive in northern Europe. The European context plays a key role in the course when the students cooperate to solve environmental problems in groups of international students with different educational background.

After completing the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
Identify and express natural science theory relevant to understand environmental issues and problems.
Quote new tools for sampling, analysis and modelling of environmental issues within environmental chemistry and biology.

Skills:
Apply natural science methods to full-scale environmental restoration observed in the field.
Assess and evaluate impacts of the use of natural resources on environment, ecosystem and health in northern Europe.
Communicate efficiently with ICT to solve problems in international groups of fellow students, and reflect on intercultural communication in international cooperation.

Competences:
Apply theory and adequate methods on restoration of complex ecosystems and freshwaters observed in the field, and discuss and evaluate interdisciplinary solutions.
Work independently and cooperate interdisciplinary in groups of international students.

Literature
- Selected book chapters, reports, articles, maps - to be presented at the course e-learning platform or distributed at the excursion part of the course.
- Lecture notes (presented at the course web)
- Relevant web pages.
Only for students enrolled in a full degree program at one of the partner universities (www.euroleague-study.org)
A general background in environmental science incl. insight in ecosystems, soil and water resources is required.
The course is part of the Euroleague for Life Science (ELLS) program and the organisation of the course rotates between the ELLS universities. Each year has a new focus depending on the region in northern Europe that is visited during the excursion. The course comprise 4-5 weeks of full time study, 2-3 week e-learning with international cooperation doing an assignment and preparation (reading, theoretical exercises) for the 2 week intensive field course. The preparatory work can be distributed over a longer period than one week. The course is started by two video-link seminars and e-learning activities, one is held 1-2 months before course start, and one immediately at start of the course. The video-conferences are presentation of the program, incl. topics and case studies, a short introduction to the region of Europe to be visited, and presentation of students and teachers. The field course is taking place in a selected region of one country where a number of different environmental problems and projects can be demonstrated, investigated and used for teaching. During the excursion the students and teachers stay at a course center. The teaching activities during the excursion comprise: - morning lectures providing theoretical background and overviews of selected cases to be addressed during the excursion - Excursions: Visits to different parts of the region for demonstration of environmental case studies - Group work on the case studies - Group presentation of case studies followed by discussion - Afternoon lectures and tours The course is taught by ELLS teachers and officers/researchers at local authorities and research institutions.
Full program students at SCIENCE pay 100 euro + expenses for travelling between home and field course location. Non-EU citizens: ask course responsible.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • E-Learning
  • 56
  • Excursions
  • 40
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 50
  • Project work
  • 40
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
The portfolio consists of 4-5 assignments (video, oral or written) + active participation in e-learning activities and discussions. The total volume of the portfolio is 1-2 videos (10 min each) + 8-10 pages per student.
Exam registration requirements
Min. 75% active participation in all course elements
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment

Se målbeskrivelsen.