Required in stage
First term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesScience and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach (B-KUL-G0R50A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Ceulemans Griet (coordinator) | Biedenkopf Katja | Ceulemans Griet | Craps Marc | Lapenta Giovanni | Severijns Nathal | Smet Mario | N. | LessMoreAims
The student understands the terms sustainability, sustainable development, education for sustainability.
The student understands certain measures, argued from the diverse academic disciplines, that can be taken in the domain of science to stimulate sustainability, and the impact they (may) have.
The student understands certain didactical principles that can be used in the context of education for sustainable development.
The student recognizes the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration in the context of sustainability, sustainable development and education for sustainable development .
The student dares to take a position in the debate on social themes such as sustainability and sustainable development and dares to take responsibility in this context.
The student has developed the skills to communicate clearly about scientific subjects and to work in an interdisciplinary team.
The student is able to apply the three stages of analyzing, problem solving and implementation on a problem of sustainable development.
The student can implement didactical aspects in the context of education for sustainable development.
Previous knowledge
Bachelor’s degree.
Identical courses
This course is identical to the following courses:
G0R48A : Wetenschap en duurzaamheid: een socio-ecologische benadering
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Leuven) (Specialisation: Biochemistry and Biotechnology) 120 ects.
- Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Leuven) (Specialisation: Biophysics) 120 ects.
- Master of Statistics and Data Science (on campus) (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Chemical Engineering (Leuven) (Chemical and Biochemical Process Engineering) 120 ects.
- Master of Chemical Engineering (Leuven) (Environmental Engineering) 120 ects.
- Master of Chemical Engineering (Leuven) (Product Engineering) 120 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Science (Leuven)
- Master of Mathematics (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Geology (Programme for students started before 2023-2024) (Leuven et al) 120 ects.
- Master of Physics (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Biology (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Mobility and Supply Chain Engineering (Leuven) 120 ects.
- Master of Geology (Programme for students started in 2023-2024 or later) (Leuven et al) 120 ects.
Activities
2 ects. Science and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach – Concepts (B-KUL-G0R88a)
Content
Scientific knowledge on sustainability and sustainable development is an important part of the OPO science and sustainability. The following subjects will certainly be covered within this course: strong versus weak sustainability, theoretical models, systems thinking, lifecycle analysis, ecological footprint, the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration. The theory needs to be applied in the assignment.
Course material
Powerpoint, textbook, online sources.
Language of instruction: more information
Students that register for this OPO are mixed with students that take on the Dutch equivalent OPO. Lectures are in English. The greater part of the learning materials is provided in both languages.
Is also included in other courses
1 ects. Science and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach – Assignment (B-KUL-G0R89a)
Content
The assignment is the application of the theory on ideas generated from academic literature. A specific article is to be personally chosen.
Course material
A personally chosen article of academic level sustainability literature.
Language of instruction: more information
The assignment encompasses the writing of an individual report. This might be written in Dutch or English.
Is also included in other courses
3 ects. Science and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach – Project (B-KUL-G0R90a)
EnglishFormat: Assignment
15 
Second termBiedenkopf Katja | Ceulemans Griet | Craps Marc | Lapenta Giovanni | Severijns Nathal | Smet Mario | N. | LessMoreContent
The OPO ‘Sustainability as a socio-ecological dynamics’ is to be considered as a broadening course. Via the projects the students get in touch with ecological and social economy, psychological and sociological development and get insight in the power of money and media. The projects fit within the central theme of the year. Early may students present their project. This integrates the workshop lessons and teamwork.
Course material
Project-specific material.
Language of instruction: more information
Students that register for this OPO are mixed with students that take on the Dutch equivalent OPO. Lectures are in English. The learning materials are provided in both languages whenever possible. However is concerns mostly international literature. There will be both English and Dutch projects.
Is also included in other courses
Evaluation
Evaluation: Science and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach (B-KUL-G2R50a)
Explanation
Basic theory is evaluated in an open book exam (multiple choice with correction for guessing), organized during the first semester, to assure that this knowledge can be implemented in the project work. Students get an individual score for this exam. This score counts for 25% in the final score.
Since the project is a group assignment, one group score is given, based on the scientific report and the final presentation during the project day, with equal weight. Subsequently, individual scores are calculated based on peer review within the group. This score counts for 75% in the final score.
The final individual score determines whether the student passes or fails, with a minimum requirement of 8/20 for both the theoretical part and the project work.
Remark: If serious problems are noticed concerning contribution to the project work, the student can be excluded from the group, based on discussion between all partners (supervisor, coordinator and the members of the team). As a consequence, this student will be graded 0/20 for the project work.
Information about retaking exams
Re-examination is possible for the theory exam and for the scientific report, but not for the presentation. If the student fails according to the final score, both the theory exam and the scientific report have to be retaken during the third examination period. If the student passes according to the final score, but failed for one of the parts: see table. In any situation, the score obtained for the presentation remains the same. After the third exam period, the final score will be recalculated.
Theory exam Project (Report + presentation) Final score Third examination period
1 <10/20 <10/20 <10/20 Theory exam + report
2 <8/20 >10/20 >10/20 Theory exam
3 8-10/20 >10/20 >10/20 -
4 8-10/20 <10/20 <10/20 Theory exam + report
5 >10/20 <10/20 >10/20 Report
6 >10/20 <10/20 <10/20 Theory exam + report
7 >10/20 >10/20 >10/20 -