Sustainable Use of Ecosystems

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Sustainable Use of Ecosystems
Leerdoelen	At the end of the course, the student is able to: 1. To evaluate the biomass production systems in a country with respect to needs for biomass in this country now and in the near future and the related environmental impacts based on literature review. 2. To identify routes to improve the biomass production systems and explain the expected trade offs of such a change and present results in oral presentation. 3. Discuss the impacts of climate change on biomass production in an interdisciplinary group in order to find options to reduce impacts.
Omschrijving	The use of biomass plays an important role in the transition to a more sustainable society. Biomass is generally considered as a renewable energy source, but also as a renewable source for materials (bio based economy). Moreover, it is the main source for our food. Biomass is produced in ecosystems; these can be natural but also cultural (agriculture). When biomass is used for food, materials or energy, it is essential for the present as well as for the future that the production takes place in a sustainable manner. This course focuses on the sustainable use of ecosystems It determines how much biomass can be produced from natural and cultural ecosystems and what the environmental impacts of these production methods are. It compares this to the needs. During the course students have to evaluate a biomass production system in a country and come up with options to improve this, this is done in groups. Group composition is based on different scientific and cultural backgrounds. At the end of the course they have to present this. The course is split up in weeks where different subjects are addressed (biomass production on land, in water, different needs for biomass, climate change etc. ). Each week starts with an introduction of the subject. Lectures and relevant videos and reading material are available on line. Students have to use this material for an assignment related to the subject and their country. During the week there is a question hour. At the end of the week the assignment has to be handed in. In the following week they get feedback on this and a new subject is started.
Uren per week
Onderwijsvorm	Hoorcollege (LC), Opdracht (ASM), Werkcollege (T) (Other lecturers: prof. dr. A. Grootjans, drs. J.D. Driesens (academic information specialist); Lectures (26 h), Tutorials (review and Q&A-sessions, 22 h), Assignment (group work and feedback, 50 h), self study (42 h).)
Toetsvorm	Opdracht (AST), Presentatie (P), Schriftelijk tentamen (WE) (Written exam (digital exam) (70%, writtten exam with open questions on analysis/synthesis level), Assignment/Presentation (30%, group Assignment with presentation))
Vaksoort	master
Coördinator	dr. ir. S. Nonhebel
Docent(en)	prof. dr. R. Bintanja ,dr. P.W. Leenes ,dr. ir. S. Nonhebel ,prof. dr. K.R. Timmermans
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs All material (including recorded lectures) is available on Blackboard.
Entreevoorwaarden	The course unit assumes prior knowledge acquired from Bachelor in natural sciences or related field. 1st-year master students from the EES master programme are participating in the course unit. The course unit is compulsory for the EES master programme. Maximum capacity: 60 students. Priority for students from the Master EES (Energy and Environmental Sciences) for whom this course is obligatory. The course unit prepares students for the courses in the second semester and the research internship/research projects in the second year in which the learning objectives attained are required as prior knowledge.
Opmerkingen	Modes of assessment: 1. Written exam with open questions. Questions are analysis / synthesis level (70%) 2. Group Assigment with presentation (30%) Pass mark: The written exam contributes 70% and the group assignment 30% to the final grade of the course. The grade of the group assignment and the written exam should be > 5,5 at least. Active participation in the group assignments is essential and therefore obligatory. (Group) assignments are mandatory. When requirements are not met the maximum score for the course is 5. In case the assessment has to take place online, the written (digital) exam will be adjusted to an online written (digital) exam from home. Second examiner: prof. dr. K.R. Timmermans This course was registered last year with course code WMEE16000
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type MSc Biology: Research  (Electives/Optional modules) - semester I a keuze MSc Biology: Science, Business and Policy  (Electives/Optional modules) - semester I a keuze MSc Biomolecular Sciences  (Electives/Optional modules) - semester I a keuze MSc Courses for Exchange Students: Astronomy - Physics - Energy & Environment - semester I a MSc Ecology and Evolution: Ecology and Conservation  (Electives/optional modules) - semester I a keuze MSc Ecology and Evolution: Evolutionary Biology  (Electives/optional modules) - semester I a keuze MSc Energy and Environmental Sciences  ( Obligatory Courses) 1 semester I a verplicht MSc Marine Biology: Research  (Electives/Optional modules) - semester I a keuze