ESA-60312 European Workshop Environmental Sciences and Management

Course

Credits 12.00

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 successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- apply their academic knowledge and general academic skills and attitude to a project dealing with a complex problem commissioned by a client outside the university;
- design solutions for an environmental issue by analysing it, using theory and methods in the field of environmental sciences and environmental management;
- work as part of a multi-disciplinary and -cultural team and value the contribution of different perspectives in designing solutions for complex (environmental) problems;
- develop a project management plan (including a data generation plan), execute it and adjust it if circumstances make it 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 team building;
- reflect on their own functioning and contribution to the execution of a project in terms of disciplinary knowledge, academic skills, group dynamics, intercultural setting;
- communicate their findings orally or in writing to the client, in a manner that is consistent with the client's needs and level of knowledge.

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 sub-group report (25%); synthesis report and other common products such as executive summary and poster (25%); individual performance (50%). The individual performance will be evaluated based on participation in plenary and group sessions (1/2) and a reflection report (1/2). For the evaluation of all these products (i.e. sub-group report; synthesis report, individual performance and reflection report) a rubric is available. Additionally, a pass for the course will only be awarded if the mark for each product is at least a pass. Since attendance of plenary sessions and group sessions is compulsory, students may not pass the course when attendance was too low.

Literature:

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