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SYLLABUS

Climate Science and Policy, 15 ECTS Credits

COURSE CATEGORY   Master´s programme in Science for Sustainable Development MAIN FIELD OF STUDY   SUBJECT AREA     COURSE CODE   746A66

AIM OF THE COURSE

After completion of the course the student should be able to - discuss the driving forces of climate change over time and understand basic climate modeling - describe the biogeochemical processes of the major elements influencing the climate system in terms of inventories, transformations and transports - link the biogeochemistry to the climate change expected on process levels as a result of anthropogenic interactions - describe the major scientific arguments for natural and anthropogenic reasons to climate change as well as the major scientific arguments for climate change - understand and discuss possible feedbacks of climate change on the biogeochemistry and their consequences - describe the development of the policies stemming from UNFCCC and its major lines of conflict and the Kyoto mechanisms and the major challenges of the post−Kyoto period - discuss the central concepts for climate change assessments such as impacts, vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation - plan, write, present and perform an informed discussion about a minor climate change relevant study - test and practice methods used in interdisciplinary studies - scrutinise and constructively evaluate one’s own, one’s peers’ and the groups work - collect relevant scientific articles from databases.

CONTENTS

The course consists of three blocks: (i) the basic science on climate change, (ii) biological, geological, chemical processes, and(iii) the policy of climate change and climate change assessments. The course starts with an understanding of the processes resulting in changes, in particular with ideas of the natural and anthropogenic caused change. Students will also familiarise with the state of the art in climate change modeling. Scientific controversies will be discussed. Further, the student will test and get engage in methods useful in the study of climate, biological, geological and chemical processes and change related to policy and science. Finally, the evolution of policies associated with these will be studied, including the major lines of conflict. Students also discuss a current negotiation situation. Here, the course is based on three basic concepts: impacts, vulnerability, adaptation and mitigation. Students will discuss current ideas on for example climate change impacts on nature and society at different levels such as regional or sectoral impact.

TEACHING

Lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratories and individually written assignments are making up the teaching. There will be tutorial groups set up. At the first meeting, the tutorial group prepares a written plan for how they will use the group to fulfill the aim and specific aims of the course. During the course, the students will plan and prepare and write an individual paper discuss in groups, critically evaluate several options and conduct laborations. Language of instruction: English

EXAMINATION

Examination is primarily based on the individual paper but will also require active participation in tutorial groups and on seminars,laborations, oral presentation and comments on other papers are also basis for grading of the students. Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course’s study guide. Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course two times are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination. Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree/kandidatexamen (equivalent for example a professional degree) of at least 180 ECTScredits, including a 15 ECTS credit degree paper or equivalent. Relevant background is studies within natural science, socialscience, health science, humanities or engineering that relate to the environmental, social or economic aspects of sustainabledevelopment. Documented knowledge of English equivalent to "Engelska B"; i.e. English as native language or an internationally recognized test, e.g. TOEFL (minimum scores: Paper based 575 + TWE-score 4.5, and internet based 90), IELTS, academic (minimum score: Overall band 6.5 and no band under 5.5), or equivalent.

GRADING

The course is graded according to the ECTS grading scale A-F

CERTIFICATE

Course certificate is issued by the Faculty Board on request. The Department provides a special form which should be submitted to the Student Affairs Division.

COURSE LITERATURE

The course literature is decided upon by the department in question.

OTHER INFORMATION

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Climate Science and Policy Climate Science and Policy   Department responsible for the course or equivalent: TEMA - Department of Thematic Studies             Registrar No: 2009-01025   Course Code: 746A66           Exam codes: see Local Computer System       Subject/Subject Area :                       Level   Education level     Subject Area Code   Field of Education   A1X   Advanced level       NA   The syllabus was approved by the Board of Faculty of Arts and Science 2010-12-17