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  • ISSSUM4180

ISSSUM4180 - Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development

Course content

Topics covered in this course include energy policy and planning, energy efficiency, conservation, renewable sources, energy trends and scenarios, and emerging technologies. Climate change and environmental impacts, international environmental agreements and conventions, the sustainable development paradigm and sustainable production and consumption are also central issues for discussion.

Other topics include eco-design, low energy futures, indirect energy, sustainable buildings and cities, and anthropological approaches to energy use. The focus of the course is on practical solutions from both industrialised and developing countries. Course leaders and guest lecturers cover a broad spectrum of international experience.

Learning outcomes

To provide understanding of the complexity of energy and environmental issues within a framework of sustainable development. The course does not intend to provide detailed technical information..

Admission

If you would like to take this course, you must apply directly to the International Summer School .

Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

A completed Bachelor’s degree or a period of study comparable with a Norwegian Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution.

Recommended prior knowledge

Scholarship-seeking applicants with a related degree in energy studies, sustainability, development, natural sciences and/or social sciences are given priority. Documented professional experience within fields such as planning, policy, engineering, economics or social sciences may also qualify scholarship-seeking applicants even though their academic background does not match the course profile.

Teaching

The course is normally 4 hours per day (09:00 to 13:00) plus two afternoon sessions (14:00 to 16:00) a week for six weeks. Classroom sessions include lectures, student presentations, group work and discussions. A class excursion around southern Norway to sites of environmental interest, energy production, industry and ecological technology is included.

A detailed syllabus will be available prior to the start of the course.

Daily attendance is expected of all participants. Students must attend 75% of the lectures in order to take the final exam.

Exam information

The course includes a written assignment and afinal written exam. Students must attend 75% of the lectures in order to take the final exam.

The written assignment counts for 50% of the total grade and the final written examination counts for 50% of the total grade and lasts for 4 hours.

Language of examination

English

Assessment and grading

Examination results are available six weeks after the exam, at the latest. The student must contact the ISS office directly to find out the results. A transcript of final grades will be sent by mail to all course participants.

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

An explanation of the grade is a formal process that is meant to help the student decide whether to appeal the grading of an examination. It is not meant as a form of feedback for an exam.

To request an explanation of your grade, you must write to ISS Office (by email or in a letter) and give the title of the course in question. The ISS Office sends the request to the course leader who provides the ISS Office with an explanation for the grade to be sent to the student.

Read more about UiO's policies about explanation and appeal of grades.

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

It is not possible to arrange for a late exam, a make-up exam, or to re-take the exam without taking the course again.

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

A student can take the class and sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must submit the Course Change Request Form to the ISS Reception before the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam, which is the general rule at UiO.

Exam options for students with special needs

Students who need a specially adapted exam must submit the Request for Special Examination Form along with medical documentation to the ISS reception two weeks before the exam.

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

Other information

This course is offered in cooperation with Centre for Development and the Environment at UiO.

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