The aim of this course is for the student to develop knowledge in urban ecology and technical infrastructure, in an urban setting, and how these can contribute to improved resource management, reduced environmental stress and act as prerequisites for good health. Basic knowledge in urban ecology is a tool to achieve the overall course learning outcomes.

The course covers terminology and questions concerning urban ecology and problematize these in relation to the city’s technical infrastructural systems i.e. energy system, water and sewage, waste disposal and transports. The focus is on alternative solutions that could contribute to improved resource management, a reduced environmental stress and improve health conditions in the urban enviroment. A case study is conducted on a specific, concrete, object (building, block etc.).

After finishing the course the students shall be able to demonstrate:

1. account for concepts and relationships in urban ecology, ecosystem services and ecological events in the urban environment

2. account for the city's technical systems and infrastructure

3. account for basic concepts and processes regarding green structure and its connection to health

After finishing the course, the student shall be able to:

4. integrating knowledge of urban ecology, the city's technical systems and infrastructure to assess different alternatives to solutions from a sustainability perspective

5. plan, implement and report a case study

After finishing the course, the student shall be able to:

6. reflect on and critically relate to their own work, as well as other environmental research, quality and relevance to sustainable development of the society and its ethical aspects

7. reflect independently about their own work and take a stand on the results of this and reflect independently about the development of their own knowledge and take responsibility for the use of the results of this knowledge

8. identify their own need for further knowledge and be able to develop their competence in compiling the current research position within the selected area of specialisation in environmental science

The course activities consist of lectures, compulsory seminars, individual work, group project assignments and field study. Students will express their knowledge in a written exam, written reports and through oral discussions. The students are expected to be able to perform information searches on their own as well as plan their own study time.

Individual written exam (4 credits) (learning outcomes 1-8) (grading scale A-E, U)

Experiments (1,5 credits) (learning outcome 1) (grading scale UG)

Case study with written report (2 credits) (learning outcomes 4-8) (grading scale UG)

To pass the course (7,5 credits) at least the grade pass (E) respectively G is necessary.

The course grade will be determined by the individually written exam.

Additional readings (articles etc.) to be determined by the principal course instructor and made available on the course website or equivalent. About 500 pages.

The University provides students participating in or upon completion of a course with the opportunity to relay their experiences of and opinions on the course through a course evaluation which is administered by the University. The University compiles and summarizes the course evaluations and informs students of the results and any decisions relating to measures made on the basis of the course evaluations. Results are made available to students (HF 1:14)

If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students are offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.