MSI5220 · Global sustainability challenges

Overview

This unit, together with MSI5120, sets the context for considering the interactions and interdependence between nature and society, and the basic principles of sustainability (environmental, social and economic). It provides the scientific basis for understanding contemporary global environmental change for major issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, waste and pollution, and more. It also introduces basic principles of major responses such as the circular economy and Net Zero strategies. Core concepts covered in the unit include those of scale, systems and complexity. You will develop the ability to confidently describe major sustainability challenges and responses, validate the robustness of scientific understanding of these, and develop strategies to deepen and maintain your understanding of selected issues on an ongoing basis in their career.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Evaluate and integrate the multidisciplinary scientific evidence for contemporary global change and ecosystem services;
2. Forecast challenges associated with global change and sustainability through analysing evidence and applying scientific knowledge, concepts and methods;
3. Appraise, classify and prioritise complex systems, problems and solutions relevant to sustainability;
4. Effectively communicate the nature, importance of, and evidence for a global sustainability challenge.

Workload

This unit will be delivered over a period of 6 weeks. This will include independent self-paced work on online materials and assignments across the teaching period. It will also include synchronous (live) classes. These will be four 2-hour online evening workshops, and one 2-day on-campus intensive (16 hours in total). The combination of classes and independent work will total 144 hours.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.