Last modified: 22 Jul 2026 13:42
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles, challenges, and opportunities associated with achieving sustainability and development objectives. Students will develop an understanding of urbanization and rural issues in the context of sustainable development, explore the challenges faced by global food systems and biodiversity, analyse the link between pollution, income, and health, and apply environmental concepts to understand just policy making, ensuring equitable access to natural resources and clean environment.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course explores key topics in the domain of sustainable development. Students will develop understanding of multiple dimensions of sustainability and its link with urbanization, food supply, biodiversity, health, income, and equity. Through the course, students will develop critical thinking, enabling them to assess the challenges posed in the path of sustainable development. Students will also learn the importance of well-designed policies which can foster the use of economic opportunities and help in alleviating environmental, socio-economic and equity concerns.
Focused areas of study:
1) Urbanization and rural issues in Sustainable Development
· Explore the patterns of urbanization around the world.
· Understand the two-way relationship between environment and food systems. Apply the understanding of this bi-directional relationship to study food security and to develop sustainable food supply.
1) Biodiversity and Pollution
· Delve into the intricacies of threats posed to biodiversity which will cover oceans, fisheries, and forests.
· Analyse the uneven impact of pollution (air or water) on health and income. Focus on studies from around the world which to explore this relationship
1) Policy Making
· Evaluate the impact of policies in the domain of urbanization, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and pollution
· Develop an understanding of concepts related to social equity and environmental justice
· Understanding historical inequalities in environmental policies, examining intersections of race, class, and environmental harm. Understanding policy making / strategies for equitable access to clean resources.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2 Online Multiple-Choice Questions Quizes (7.5% each). Automated feedback will be provided |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Students will be able to apply economic concepts to determine how an inclusive sustainable development can be achieved. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Students will be able to understand the link between environment and various aspects of sustainable development. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 85 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written Assignment (85%). One exam style open book assessment consisting of up to four compulsory questions. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Students will be able to apply economic concepts to determine how an inclusive sustainable development can be achieved. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Students will be able to understand the link between environment and various aspects of sustainable development. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Students will be able to critically evaluate the economic and policy challenges in the domain of sustainable development. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written Assignment (100%). One exam style open book assessment consisting of up to five compulsory questions with a maximum of 2,500 words for the entire assessment. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Students will be able to apply economic concepts to determine how an inclusive sustainable development can be achieved. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Students will be able to understand the link between environment and various aspects of sustainable development. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Students will be able to critically evaluate the economic and policy challenges in the domain of sustainable development. |
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