ESA-60312 European Workshop Environmental Sciences and Management

Course

Credits 12.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Practical extensively supervised50
Project learning40
Field Practical84
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. KPJ Fortuin
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. KPJ Fortuin
prof. dr. SR Bush
A Hendriksen PhD
dr. ir. BJM van Vliet
prof. dr. ir. G Zeeman
dr. M Spiller
dr. S Rickebusch
Examiner(s)dr. ir. KPJ Fortuin
A Hendriksen PhD

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

In this course a group of 30 students of different nationalities and disciplinary background work together on an environmental problem commissioned by a client. The course consists of three phases. In the preparation period students apply their knowledge of environmental sciences and management to make a project plan based on the Terms of Reference received from the client. In this period an applied training in project management, data collection & interview techniques, and team work is offered. A few lectures are given that provide students with additional background information to tackle the issue. The second phase consists of two weeks of field work mainly dedicated to data collection on site. At the end of this phase the preliminary results will be presented to the client. Finally students are expected to analyse the data, incorporate the feedback from the client and write a concise report for the client. In this final phase supporting lectures on data analysis and consultancy report writing are given as well as feedback on the draft reports. Every student is expected to contribute his / her own knowledge and expertise to the group assignment and to reflect on this.
In order to be able to prepare the two weeks field visit, that are part of the course properly, students cannot register for this course later than February 14.

Learning outcomes:

After this course students are expected to be able to:
- contribute to the execution of a project dealing with a complex environmental problem commissioned by a client outside the university on the basis of their academic knowledge and general academic skills and attitude;
- apply theory and methods in the field of environmental sciences and environmental management in analysing an environmental issue and designing solutions for it;
- contribute to a project in which people of different nationalities work together and are able to reflect on the value of the contribution of different (disciplinary and cultural) perspectives in designing solutions for complex environmental problems;
- develop a project management plan (including a data generation plan), execute it and adjust it if necessary;
- reflect on aspects that are of importance for successfully executing a project, like project management, decision making in a complex situation, team roles and the contribution of team members;
- reflect on their own functioning and contribution in executing a project in terms of disciplinary knowledge, academic skills, team role and cultural background and give feedback in writing and verbally.

Activities:

The main task is to prepare and execute a project for a real client in an interdisciplinary and intercultural team and contribute to a report for this client. Lecturers, seminars and training sessions are included to support the group project. A two-week field work period dedicated to data collection on site is part of the workshop. Students are expected to participate in the above mentioned activities and perform several group- and individual assignments.

Examination:

Based on group and individual assignments.

Literature:

A manual is available, but no textbook or reader. A special website is designed to support the project.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: MUEUrban Environmental ManagementMSc6WD
Restricted Optional for: MESEnvironmental SciencesMSc1WD, 6WD
MAMAquaculture and Marine Resource ManagementMSc6WD