International Master's Programme in Ecotechnology and Sustainable Development, 120 credits

Aim

The Master's programme will develop the students' ability to analyse and evaluate how natural resources can be used in the broad perspective of sustainable development.

Programme objectives

OUTCOMES ACCORDING TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION ORDINANCE

Knowledge and understanding
For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
- demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
- demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach
For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.


SPECIFIC OUTCOMES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN ECOTECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Knowledge and understanding
The student shall after completed education demonstrate:
- good knowledge about the relationships between nature and society and conditions to move towards sustainable development,
- good knowledge about technical systems (for instance housing, energy, industry, communication) relevant to sustainable development,
- knowledge about technology relevant to sustainable development,
- good knowledge about conditions for implementing environmental policy objectives from e.g. legal and economic perspectives, and conditions for a sustainable development in different parts of the world,
- very good knowledge about causes of climate change and of possible strategies to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases.
- very good knowledge about current research methodology.

Skills and abilities
The student shall after completed education demonstrate:
- good skills in methodology used to identify, describe and analyze environmental scientific problems in relation to a sustainable development, and in suggesting and evaluating possible solutions to problems,
- very good skills in methodology for broad systems analysis on products, services and technical systems, from natural resources to societal functions, with regard to the entire life cycle,
- good skills in utilising methods for scenario analysis,
- very good ability to synthesise and use results from research and development within the field of environmental science and engineering, and
- good ability to plan, write and present an individual scientific thesis.
- very good skills in methodology used to identify, describe and analyze environmental scientific problems in relation to a sustainable development, and in suggesting and evaluating possible solutions to these problems,
- a good ability to link environmental scientific problems in a system perspective to the deepened and/or broadened knowledge the student has received within the programme's eligible courses.

Judgement and approach
The student shall after completed education be able to:
- independently discuss and deal with current definitions of sustainable development and strategies for such a development,
- understand how different systems, innovations and technologies can be developed and disseminated in order to contribute to a sustainable development,
- explain functions of governing systems for the environment, and
- explain the transformation of environmental problems into political objectives and the implementation of such goals.

Content

The International Master's Programme in Ecotechnology and Sustainable Development takes two years to complete. The programme consists of 90 credits courses and an individual assignment (master's thesis) of 30 credits (20 weeks).

Second cycle courses

Environmental Science MA:
Methodology from a Systems Perspective, 7.5 credits
Environmental Assessment, 7.5 credits
Governance for Sustainable Development, 7.5 credits
Research Skills, 15 credits
Project Course, 15 credits (1)
Individual Assignment, 30 credits

Environmental Engineering MA:
Innovation Systems and Diffusion of Technology, 7.5 credits
Energy and Material Flows, 7.5 credits
Climate Change, Impact and Action Strategies, 7.5 credits
Project Course, 15 credits (2)

(1), (2): The project course may be either in Environmental science or in Environmental engineering, depending on chosen topic for the project. Students choose one of these courses.

Elective courses, 15 credits

Entry requirements

Degree of Bachelor of at least 180 credits (180 ECTS) or equivalent, with at least 45 credits (45 ECTS) in total from one or several of the following fields of study:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Technology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Law
Proven language proficiency in English: English course 6 from Swedish Upper Secondary School (Gymnasium) or the equivalent.

Description of programme

The International Master's Programme in Ecotechnology and Sustainable Development is a two-year programme in Environmental Science.

The programme's knowledge and skills should be useful when working with environmental and development issues within companies, organizations and government agencies in different parts of the world. The programme also provides a basis for graduate studies.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Programme with restricted admissions

Specific requirements for course within the programme are provided in the course syllabus.

Teaching and examination

The programme is taught in English. Programme studies are full-time including field studies, laboratory work, project work, field trips, seminars and lectures. Parts of the studies are thematically oriented. The student is trained systematically to solve problems of increasing difficulty. Students are examined orally and/or in writing. Grading is specified in the syllabus. Teaching and assessment methods are shown in the syllabus.

Title of qualification

Degree of Master of Arts/Science (120 credits)

Masterexamen med huvudområdet miljövetenskap, translated into Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Environmental Science.

Other information

The training is conducted at Mid Sweden University Campus in Östersund. During the programme course names, contents, credit units and schedules may change. The students have some opportunities to select courses while studying. Information about optional course availability and how the selection shall be made is given during the programme. Admission to an optional course requires that the student meets the qualifications for that course. Optional courses may be cancelled if there are too few applicants.