Guide in PDF format

Introduction and Challenges of Environmental Sciences

Code: 106757
Credits: 6

2026/2027

Degree programme	Type	Course
Environmental Sciences	FB	1

Contact lecturer

Name :: Valenti Rodellas Vila
Email :: valenti.rodellas@uab.cat

Teaching staff

: Ariane Arias Ortiz
: Roser Maneja Zaragoza

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

None.

Objectives

This is an introductory course to Environmental Sciences with a theoretical-practical approach. Its purpose is to familiarize students with the evolution of the history of environmental studies, the current major challenges in Environmental Sciences, as well as the main environmental issues and conflicts.

Furthermore, students will be introduced to project organization, management and structuring. A field trip will be conducted to study a specific environmental issue in Catalonia, and a practical assignment will be carried out to address the interdisciplinary nature of environmental conflicts and to practice the tools and protocols for project writing and presentation.

The participation of professionals who are experts in various environmental fields will be encouraged so that they can conduct seminars related to the subject matter.

Learning outcomes

CM24 (Act in the field of knowledge of environmental sciences, while assessing the legal, social, economic, scientific and environmental impact.) Act in the field of knowledge of environmental sciences, while assessing the legal, social, economic, scientific and environmental impact.
CM25 (Interpret how environmental challenges and programmes contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.) Interpret how environmental challenges and programmes contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
CM26 (Work in teams to tackle problems and case studies associated with current environmental challenges.) Work in teams to tackle problems and case studies associated with current environmental challenges.
KM35 (Identify the main contemporary challenges in environmental sciences (climate and global change, energy and natural resources, biodiversity, etc.) and the impact that human activities and behaviour have on them.) Identify the main contemporary challenges in environmental sciences (climate and global change, energy and natural resources, biodiversity, etc.) and the impact that human activities and behaviour have on them.
KM36 (Recognise the techniques and tools necessary for the integration of scientific, natural, social, economic and legal aspects of the environment.) Recognise the techniques and tools necessary for the integration of scientific, natural, social, economic and legal aspects of the environment.
SM30 (Critically examine public and scientific information related to the environment.) Critically examine public and scientific information related to the environment.
SM31 (Extract important information from reports, plans, projects, programmes and articles on environmental topics.) Extract important information from reports, plans, projects, programmes and articles on environmental topics.
SM32 (Efficiently and safely use techniques, material and tools related to the environment in the classroom, the field and/or the laboratory.) Efficiently and safely use techniques, material and tools related to the environment in the classroom, the field and/or the laboratory.
SM33 (Express yourself using (informative and scientific) language appropriate to environmental science challenges, in a clear, explicit and brief way in both scientific and professional fields.) Express yourself using (informative and scientific) language appropriate to environmental science challenges, in a clear, explicit and brief way in both scientific and professional fields.

Introduction to Environmental Sciences

History of Environmental Sciences

Interdisciplinary and socio-ecological approach

Contemporary environmental challenges and global change

Planetary boundaries: land use and land cover changes, biotic changes, climate change, state of the ozone layer, air, soil and water pollution, water resources, ocean acidificatio

Global environmental impacts: the Anthropocene

Relevant socio-environmental conflicts: examples related to mining, agriculture, water resource exploitation, the oil industry, etc.

Field trip to an area with socio-environmental conflict

Tools for project management, development and presentation

Project on a socio-environmental conflict

Learning activities and methodology

Title	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
Readings, study of received information, information search, project preparation	93	3.72	CM24, CM25, CM26, KM35, KM36, SM30, SM31
Tutoring sessions	2	0.08	CM26, KM36, SM30, SM31
Lectures	30	1.2	CM24, CM25, KM35, KM36, SM30
Field trip	6	0.24	KM35, KM36, SM32
Work in teams	8	0.32	CM26, KM35, KM36, SM30, SM31, SM33
Practicum	6	0.24	CM24, KM35, KM36, SM30, SM31, SM32, SM33

In this course, a combination of theoretical sessions, expert seminars or discussions, a field trip, and the completion and presentation of a group project will be incorporated. The learning of socio-environmental conflicts and project development will primarily be conducted through real case studies, and a group project and presentations on a socio-environmental conflict will be undertaken.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title	Weight	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
First term exam	35	2	0.08	CM24, CM25, KM35, KM36, SM33
Project presentation	30	1	0.04	CM25, CM26, KM35, KM36, SM30, SM31, SM32, SM33
Second term exam	35	2	0.08	CM24, CM25, KM35, KM36, SM33

70% of the final grade is calculated based on the average of the grades from two independent midterm exams. The exams will consist of theoretical and practical questions.

The remaining 30% of the final grade corresponds to the grade of a group presentation on a socio-environmental conflict.

To pass the course, the average grade obtained must be equal to or higher than 5 (out of 10), and the grade for each of the midterm exams must be equal to or higher than 4 (out of 10). To be evaluated, attendance at the field trip and submission of the group project are required.

Retake: Those students that do not get the minimum grade to pass the course have the option of a retrieval exame, retrieval one or the two midterm exams. The group project will not have a retrieval option. To participate in the retrieval exam, the students need to attend at least to 2/3 of the evaluation activities.

The students who do not attend any evaluation tests (midterm exams and group work) will receive a final grade of NOT ASSESSABLE.

This course does not offer the option of single assessment.

Use of AI: In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of coursework, provided that the final submission reflects a significant contribution by the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a penalty to the activity grade or more severe disciplinary measures in serious cases.

Bibliography

It will be made available at the beginning of the course.

Software