Course

MILJØ100 Introduction to Environment Sciences

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Vegard Martinsen, Åsgeir R. Almås

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:50. Check "Note".

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:250 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in August block. This course has teaching/evaluation in August block and Autumn parallel.

About this course

MILJØ100 is the introductory course for the bachelor's programs in environmental science and radioactivity and the environment. The subject sheds light on interdisciplinary issues related to the UN's sustainability goals and focuses on connections between climate and environment and how human activity affects the natural environment. A general introduction to various topics within geosciences, soil science, biology, water resources and radioactivity in the environment is given, where the interaction between different disciplines is central. The course emphasizes system understanding and critical thinking. Sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity, pollution and water quality, nuclear power, food production and population growth are important topics that are addressed. The course takes place in the August block with a subsequent autumn parallel: I) The August block consists of lectures, field days (sampling, data collection and theory), writing course with introduction to the library service, sustainability seminar, excursion with overnight stay (natural resources, projects and company visits) and selection and presentation of a theme for the term paper. The students work in groups on the term paper, which is delivered and presented halfway through the autumn semester. II) The autumn semester is structured in five environmental science themes: Ecology and environmental science; Radioactivity and the environment; Climate and environment; Nutrients and food production; Contamination. Each topic begins with lectures followed by practical group exercises related to collected data material or topic-relevant issues. The exercises include problem solving, discussion and presentation (oral and written).

Learning outcome

After completing the course, students must have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

1. The students have knowledge of sampling, simple data processing, academic writing and systematic compilation of central themes within environmental science.

2. The students are familiar with the UN's sustainability goals and can give examples of why environmental science knowledge is important to achieve these goals

3. Students can define and explain key terms within various environmental science disciplines and have knowledge of the importance of interdisciplinarity in environmental science.

4. Students know and can explain central processes and mechanisms in the natural environment and how human activity such as pollution, population growth and land use affect the natural environment and climate.

5. Students have knowledge of sources of radioactive pollution and effects and consequences for people and the environment.

Skill:

With a background in lectures, data collection in the field, practical exercises, presentations and written submissions, students can apply environmental science knowledge to analyze and evaluate simple but central challenges and opportunities related to human activity and sustainable development.

General competence:

The students can convey subject matter and have insight into the relevance of environmental science to understanding the connections between climate and environment and how human activity affects the natural environment.

  • Learning activities
    Field days, data collection and interpretation of data. Lectures, practical exercises and presentations. Groupwork. Excursion. Term paper.
  • Teaching support
    The course has a website in Canvas where you will find information. The teachers will be available for questions during the office hours. Some teachers at MINA will supervise the group project throughout the courses.
  • Assessment method

    Overall assessment

    • Written group assignment counts for 30%
    • Oral presentation of the group assignment counts for 10%
    • Oral exam (30 minutes) counts for 60%

    All parts must be passed. Grading rule A-E / Failed.



    Oral exam Karakterregel: Letter grades
  • Examiner scheme
    An external examiner approves exam questions, censors the oral exam and evaluates submitted term papers. An internal examiner evaluates oral presentations
  • Mandatory activity

    August block: Participation in field days, excursions with accommodation and writing courses, as well as selection of a term paper and development of a floor plan which is presented in plenary.

    Autumn parallel: Participation in all exercises for each of the five themes during the autumn semester. The results of the group exercises must result in a total of 3 submissions and 2 oral presentations. These are all mandatory. Feedback is given on these activities, not a grade.

    Autumn parallel (included in overall assessment): Group presentation (oral) and submission of a written term paper halfway through the semester for evaluation.

  • Notes
    Students who want to take the course must apply for admission in Studentweb no later than August 13th 2025. After that, the places in the course will be distributed.
  • Teaching hours
    Three weeks in the August block and 4 hours/week in the Autumn parallel
  • Preferential right
    B-MILJØ, B-RAMI
  • Reduction of credits
    10 ECTS agaist MINA100
  • Admission requirements
    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)