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  6. BI3504: SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

BI3504: SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:34


Course Overview

Six themes that examine how theories related to sustainability are translated into practice are explored through structured in-class activities that challenge you to consider problems and evidence from different perspectives. 

Case studies from tropical forestry, agriculture and biofuels increase your understanding of the complexity of resource management decisions and your awareness of ethical and moral issues embedded in problems that are often framed as scientific or technical. 

Feedback from four short discussion essays will help you to improve your writing skills.

Weekly student-led discussions develop your capacity for attentive exchange, informed argument and reasoning, and skills in facilitating discussion

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Michelle Pinard

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of BSc Biology (Studied) or BSc Conservation Biology (Studied) or BSc Plant Biology (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Plant & Soil Science Erasmus (Studied) or BSc Zoology (Studied) or BSc Animal Ecology (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Zoology Erasmus (Studied) or BSc Marine Biology (Studied) or BSc Parasitology (Studied) or MSci Biological Sciences (Studied) or BSc Plant and Soil Sciences (Studied) or BSc Biology - Education (Primary) (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Agriculture and Forestry Erasmus (Studied) or BSc Ecology (Studied) or BSc Wildlife Management (Studied) or BSc Forestry (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Forestry Iss (Studied) or BSc Forest Sciences (Studied) or BSc Geology (Studied) or BSc Geoscience (Studied) or BSc Geography (Studied) or BSc Environmental Science (Studied) or BSc Environmental Science (Physical Sci) (Studied) or BSc Geography-Geoscience (Studied) or BSc Biology - Education (Secondary) (Studied) or Erasmus Student Diploma in Science (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Science First Half-Session (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Science Full Year (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Science Eu (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Science Iss (Studied)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course begins with a focus on biological productivity and then extends to social, economic, and environmental components of sustainability to examine their interdependence. The course will use examples and case studies taken from a variety of systems, including agricultural systems, agroforestry systems, planted and natural forests (managed for timber and non timber forest products), and fresh-water and marine systems. Concepts that are covered in the course include the following: productivity, yield controls, predictive modelling, auditing and measuring sustainability, managing risk and uncertainty, ecological footprints, public engagement and evidence based policy.

Associated Costs

None

Further Information & Notes

This course runs in weeks 25-29, and is scheduled in Thread 1, so may have contact hours in any or all of these times:  Mondays, 9-13; Thursday, all day; Friday, 9-13.  If this is an optional course, there may also be contact hours on Wednesdays, 11-13.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 three hour exam (30%); continuous assessment (70%). Resit: Similar to 1st attempt, with continuous assessment mark(s) and /or exam mark carried forward with an opportunity to resit either or both, depending on what was failed in the first attempt.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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