Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameMekanismerna bakom miljöförändringar
- CodeFFR166
- Credits7.5 Credits
- OwnerMPTSE
- Education cycleSecond-cycle
- Main field of studyEnergy and Environmental Systems and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
- GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language English
- Application code 28117
- Maximum participants100 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
- Block schedule
- Open for exchange studentsYes
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0107 Examination 7.5 c Grading: TH | 7.5 c |
|
In programmes
Examiner
Stefan Wirsenius- Associate Professor, Physical Resource Theory, Space, Earth and Environment
Eligibility
General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Course specific prerequisites
-Aim
- Processes involved in the responses and effects to human impacts on parts of the Earth system, such as the carbon cycle.
- Factors that influence the scale of human impacts on Earth systems from, for example, different emissions.
- Mechanisms determining the biophysical potentials for mitigation of human impacts, for example, reductions of various emissions.
Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
- Explain and apply key natural science concepts and models that are of importance for understanding physical and biochemical Earth systems
- Explain in great detail the properties and processes on Earth that are crucial for understanding environmental changes
- Apply this knowledge to explain in detail the processes involved in environmental disturbances caused by humans
- Perform calculations related to Earth systems and environmental changes
Content
1) Overview of environmental changes
The course starts with an overview of major environmental changes and the dangers they pose to humanity.
2) Basic chemistry and physics for understanding environmental changes
Thereafter the course gives a review of basic chemical and physical concepts and phenomena important for understanding and analyzing environmental changes.
3) The Earth system and its components
Another important basis for understanding environmental changes is knowledge about of the different components of the Earth system. The course gives a review of key properties of the atmosphere, the ocean, soils, and land ecosystems, and in-depth descriptions of the climate system, and the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous.
4) Environmental changes caused by humanity
Interwoven in the description of the Earth system, the course gives in-depth accounts of different disturbances induced by human activities. This course focuses in particular on the problem of global warming. Other environmental changes that are dealt with more closely include ocean acidification, eutrophication, air pollution, and ozone depletion.
Organisation
The course consists of lectures, assignments, and calculation exercises.Literature
Reading materials available at the course web site (free of charge)
Examination including compulsory elements
Written examination. The assignments give bonus points that count towards the total exam result.The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.