Print Syllabus

Syllabus

MV0217 Land use and watershed management to reduce eutrophication, 7.5 Credits

Markanvändning och vattenvård för att minska övergödning

Subjects

Environmental Science Soil Science Soil science Environmental science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Written examination	5.0	0202
Study visits and written assignment	2.5	0203

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:

• 150 ECTS first-cycle courses, including

• 60 ECTS in a scientific subject such as Biology, Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science or Technology,

• 10 ECTS Chemistry,

• 10 ECTS Biology,

• 15 ECTS Soil Science or Earth Sciences

and

• a level of English equivalent to upper-seconday-school English (Engelska 6).

Objectives

The course provides the foundations for work with water quality and management issues.

It provides a holistic picture of the eutrophying emissions that can be related to human activities in watersheds.

On completion of the course students will be able to:

• describe hydrological processes and catchment hydrology,

• describe how the most important chemical and biological processes in the aquatic environment are affected by increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus,

• describe how different cultivation practices within agriculture affect the water quality in a watershed, with focus on nitrogen and phosphorus load,

• suggest appropriate mitigation measures for reduced nitrogen and phosphorus losses to recipient waters,

• outline how emissions from private sewage systems and sewage treatment plants affect the water quality in a watershed, and possible methods for reduced impact,

• give a general outline of the value of the environmental quality objectives, directives and legislation concerning water quality management in Sweden and the rest of the EU,

• plan and carry out a literature study of choice within the scope of the course area and present the results in both a written and oral presentation.

Content

The course explores the effects of eutrophying emissions on the aquatic environment and how mitigation measures and programs can be designed, implemented and managed. Focus is mainly on watershed management under northern European conditions. Teaching is based on lectures, literature studies, group exercises and study visits. An individual term paper is included where supervision is provided by a researcher. All course components are compulsory, except lectures.

The following topics are included in the course:

• hydrology at the watershed scale,

• occurrence, pools and transport pathways of nutrients and other compounds to recipient ground- and surface waters,

• biological and chemical processes in aquatic systems,

• eutrophication problems in inland waters and marine systems,

• existing environmental monitoring of water quality and methods for assessment and water status evaluation,

• reasons for and use of mitigation measures to reduce nutrient loads to the aquatic environment from agriculture, forestry and wastewater,

• wetlands for increased nutrient retention in the landscape,

• legislation, directives and environmental quality objectives in Sweden and the rest of Europe,

• water quality management issues, in a national and international perspective.

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

The following is required for a pass mark on the course:

• passed written examination,

• approved written and oral reporting of project and exercises,

• approved participation in compulsory components.

• 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 assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a 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.

Responsible department

Department of Soil and Environment

Cooperating departments: