Course Objectives

The students will receive an introduction to global environmental problems. The basic themes will be climate, energy and the environment. The students will gain an understanding of the increasing greenhouse effect and the human activities which influence it. Based on a scenario about how global human activities may develop in the future, they will gain an understanding of the probable effects of climate change. The students will become acquainted with how a modified climate can affect certain types of outdoor activities. The use of fossil energy will be examined in detail in this context. The students will be introduced to the major concepts associated with energy, and will be familiarised with the most important sources of renewable energy and methods for using energy more efficiently. Ethical approaches to the problem of climate change will also be discussed. The students will also become familiar with other non-sustainable global human activities.

Course Description

Central topics:

· The use of fossil energy and other human activities which create environmental problems

· The increasing greenhouse effect and probable climate changes

· Sources of renewable energy, nuclear energy and methods for improving energy efficiency

· Damage to the ozone layer

· Acid precipitation

· Population growth as an environmental problem

· Freshwater resources and deforestation

Learning Methods

75 hours of lectures.

Assessment Methods

Grades will be given for two examinations: a midterm test (2 hours) will count for 40%, and a final written examination (3 hours) will count for 60% of the final grade.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean