Print Syllabus

Syllabus

MX0133 Environmental assessment, 7.5 Credits

Miljöanalys

Subjects

Environmental Science Biology Biology

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Advanced study in the main field

G2F

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to:

- 60 credits in biology or environmental science

and

- 10 credits in chemistry

Objectives

The course aims at communicate a basic understanding of the concept environmental assessment. This includes environmental monitoring, data evaluation and assessment of results in relation to ecological and chemical processes. On completion of the course, the students should be able to account for how the cycles for mainly nitrogen and sulphur influence the environment and how the society carries out environmental monitoring to separate natural variation from anthropogenically induced environmental impact of these subjects. The course should also give exercise in how environmental assessment projects are planned and is carried out. A practical exercise should give experience in implementation of a monitoring project in all parts, including sampling, documentation, lab work, data evaluation and reporting.

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

• explain what environmental assessment imply

• account for the societal guidelines for environmental monitoring

• describe the principle for how an environmental monitoring programme is set up

• account for how anthropogenic release of mainly nitrogen and sulphur influence the environment and how environmental assessment is carried out to study their environmental effects

• account for how biotic indices are used in the environmental assessment

Content

The course consists of lectures, exercises, laboratory sessions and a project work. In lectures, the concept environmental assessment and how human release of mainly sulphur and nitrogen relate to the need of environmental assessment. At compulsory calculation exercises and laboratory sessions, practical environmental assessment is practiced, from planning and dimensioning of field studies via analytical techniques to evaluation of results and finally establishment of ecological status in relation to guidelines. In a project, environmental assessment is practiced by analysis and evaluation of environmental monitoring data and to compile and present results. Laboratory sessions and exercises are compulsory.

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

To pass the course, passed results of examination and practical assignments, active participation in compulsory components as well as passed presentation of the project work are required.

• 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 does not have any field work. Data for calculation exercises comes mostly from ongoing national environmental monitoring.

Responsible department

Department of Aquatic Science and Assessment