Required in stage
Optional in stage
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Identical coursesAcademic Leveling: Space, Society and Ecology (B-KUL-G0U62B)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Honnay Olivier (coordinator) | Honnay Olivier | Parra Novoa Constanza | Skrimizea Eirini (substitute) | N. Aims
To acquire the fundamental knowledge that ensures that students are levelled to the requirements of the Master of Science in Sustainable Development. After following this course, students:
- know the academic practicalities at KU Leuven, related to ISP, IER, taking classes, assessments, exam system and retakes
- know how to handle electronic search systems and e-sources to retrieve relevant academic literature
- know the foundational theories, applications and methodologies associated with the Space and Society track;
- know the foundational theories, applications and methodologies associated with the Ecology track.
- Are capable of elaborating and critically reflecting on a scientific topic in a personal way, and can compile and synthesise relevant academic literature.
Previous knowledge
To undertake this course successfully the students must have acquired some basic knowledge on social sciences or ecology by means of her/his Bachelor degree. The student minimally needs to have a basic knowledge on sustainable development, including social and ecological processes and transformations.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
2.4 ects. Academic Levelling: Space, Society and Ecology: Workshops and Poster Presentations (B-KUL-G0D09a)
EnglishFormat: Practical
14 
First termHonnay Olivier | Parra Novoa Constanza | Skrimizea Eirini (substitute) Content
This learning activity consists of
- Workshops and discussion sessions on topics at the interface between Space and Society and Ecology
- Common sessions on the preparation of a poster and a paper on selected topics
- Interactive poster presentation sessions
Course material
Academic papers
3.6 ects. Academic Levelling: Space, Society and Ecology (B-KUL-G0U62a)
EnglishFormat: Lecture24 First termHonnay Olivier | Parra Novoa Constanza | Skrimizea Eirini (substitute) | N. Content
- Academic practicalities at KU Leuven
- Electronic search systems and e-sources to retrieve relevant academic literature
- Foundational theories, applications and methodologies of the Space and Society track (included topics: Society and the social production of space; What is development? Ontology, epistemology and methodology)
- Foundational theories, applications and methodologies of the Ecology track (included topics: measuring biodiversity; ecosystem functions and ecosystem services; habitat fragmentation; island theory; metapopulation theory; Allee effects; invasive species; effects of pollution and climate change).
Course material
Academic papers and other documents
Slides used during the classes
Evaluation
Evaluation: Academic Leveling: Space, Society and Ecology (B-KUL-G2U62b)
Explanation
Students are assigned a topic on which they prepare both a paper and a poster. Students are expected to demonstrate that they are capable of elaborating and critically reflecting on the topic in a personal way, and to compile and synthesise relevant academic literature.
The final mark is an average of the partial marks on the paper (weight = 1/3) the poster presentation (= 1/3) and the quality of the poster =1/3). In case of a second exam opportunity a new paper topic will be assigned which counts for 100%. Students who do not submit a paper and/or do not present a poster automatically fail (grade = NA).
Information about retaking exams
In case of a second exam opportunity a new paper topic will be assigned which counts for 100%.