Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

Our planet is facing three interlinked crises, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. These crises coupled with high energy demands, consumerism, and waste generation are pushing our planet towards a critical point and potentially an environmental disaster. This course will examine renewable energy and waste management options, and pollution control measures to move our planet towards a more sustainable future.

One 2-hour lecture per week and one 2-hour weekly workshop, with one week being a 4-hour external visit.

None

None

Written Assignment, including Essay: in groups, students will plan, design and produce an infographic, and a written reflection. The infographic topic could include an energy type, its waste management and pollution challenges for sustainability. The written reflection will justify the student's topic selection, itemise the division of the tasks within the group and critically evaluate the group work experience (30%) [ILO 1, 2, 5]

Report: students will individually prepare a scientific report, based on cases studies, that compares a range of energy types, associated policy, their waste management and pollution challenges for sustainability. Students will be assessed (70%) [ILO 3, 4, 5] 

The aims of this course are to:
1. Introduce the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a call to action to protect the planet. 

2. Explore and evaluate a range of energy, waste management and pollution prevention options for future sustainability;
3. Examine energy, waste management and pollution challenges for sustainability, and the science and policy behind them; 

4. Examine local, regional and global case studies, highlighting options for sustainability, connected to energy, waste management and pollution;

5. Develop specific graduate attributes, such as effective communication, independent critical thinking, collaboration, reflection, and confidence.

By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals associated with energy, waste management and pollution challenges for sustainability;
2. Explain the key energy, waste management and pollution prevention options for future sustainability;

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the science and key policy behind the fundamental energy, waste management and pollution challenges for sustainability;

4. Critically assess local, regional and global case studies, highlighting options for sustainability, connected to energy, waste management and pollution;

5. Develop and demonstrate the graduate attribute skills: communication, collaboration, confidence, critical thinking skills, and reflection.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.