Can natural resources be used sustainably without creating new environmental challenges? This course equips you with the tools to understand the connections between resource use, consumption, and societal change.

Environmental and Resource Use Challenges, 7.5 credits

Autumn 2024, Full-time, Linköping

Environmental and Resource Use Challenges, 7.5 credits

Autumn 2025, Full-time, Linköping

Application period not open

Natural resources such as land, water, minerals, and biomass play a vital role in our society – from energy production and food supply to industrial processes. But how can we manage these resources without jeopardising the opportunities of future generations? This course provides an introduction to sustainable resource management, focusing on both scientific and societal aspects.

Gain a deeper understanding of environmental change

The course explores resource use and the challenges that arise in the context of sustainable resource management. By integrating perspectives from the natural and social sciences, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the driving forces behind environmental change.

A multidisciplinary approach is employed to highlight the interaction between nature and society, with examples ranging from energy consumption and industrial processes to water and land use. You will also engage in presenting resource challenges in both scientific and popular science formats.

The course covers topics such as:

  • Different types of natural resources and their applications.
  • Sustainability challenges linked to consumption patterns and demographic changes.
  • Fundamental methods for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse and present changes.

For those looking to address environmental challenges

This course is designed for those who wish to deepen their understanding of natural resources and their role in sustainable development. It is suitable for students and professionals from diverse backgrounds, including environmental science, social science, and engineering, who are eager to contribute to tackling complex environmental challenges.

Varied study formats

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, field visit, computer labs, and group work. 

The language of instruction and examination is English.