Last modified: 08 Jul 2025 11:16
Capstone course where you apply your disciplinary knowledge to the policy-driven approaches for informing development (e.g., environmental impact assessment, nature valuation, biodiversity net gain).
Case studies from marine, terrestrial and freshwater systems provide context for considering ecological, economic and social issues associated with biodiversity restoration.
Discussions and assessments enhance your capacity for attentive exchange and informed argument, reinforcing your understanding of linkages between theory and practice.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
|
||
The aim of this course is to challenge you to apply your disciplinary knowledge to environmental challenges associated with sustainable development.
Contemporary policy instruments, such as environmental impact assessment, biodiversity net gain, economic valuation, nature-based solutions, provide the course with a backbone for structuring lectures and discussions.
The intention is that you will gain an appreciation of how these instruments can be applied to mitigate negative impacts of development or to incentivise positive outcomes, with a recognition of their strengths and limitations.
Background reading and case studies will be provided to support weekly discussions and will be drawn from around the world to provide an international and interdisciplinary perspective.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 34,38,39,40 | Feedback Weeks | 35,39,40,41 | |
| Feedback |
Two 600-word discussion essays, each worth 30%. Discussion essays will be submitted for the tutorials where a student is not tasked with facilitation, therefore each student will write two discussion essays across the four tutorials
|
Word Count | 600 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Integrate concepts related to environmental challenges associated with sustainable development |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Determine a viewpoint related to environmental challenges, based on an evaluation of evidence |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an understanding of the complex challenges associated with sustainable development |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 34,39,40,41 | Feedback Weeks | 35,39,40,41 | |
| Feedback |
Facilitation of a discussion based on a focal reading and short discussion essays written by participants in the discussion. Students will facilitate a discussion in groups of 2-4 students, depending on class size. Immediately following the discussion, the students will receive verbal feedback and will be encouraged to reflect on the experience; each student will also receive individual written feedback. Each group will only facilitate one discussion, thus during only one of the potential tutorial sessions in the course in the weeks listed above. Feedback will be provided one week later. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Integrate concepts related to environmental challenges associated with sustainable development |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an understanding of the complex challenges associated with sustainable development |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 34,38,39,40 | Feedback Weeks | 35,40 | |
| Feedback |
Engagement in the tutorial discussions will be assessed each week; informal feedback will be provided to individuals verbally and formal written feedback will be provided to individuals at the end of the course. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Integrate concepts related to environmental challenges associated with sustainable development |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Determine a viewpoint related to environmental challenges, based on an evaluation of evidence |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an understanding of the complex challenges associated with sustainable development |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
600-word essay (if the first attempt involved a fail in one of the two essays). Any passed elements are carried forward. Individual written feedback will be provided. |
Word Count | 600 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Reflective Report (if the first attempt involved a fail of facilitating a discussion or engagement in tutorials). Any passed elements are carried forward. Individual written feedback will be provided. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Integrate concepts related to environmental challenges associated with sustainable development |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Determine a viewpoint related to environmental challenges, based on an evaluation of evidence |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an understanding of the complex challenges associated with sustainable development |
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.
