Print Syllabus

Syllabus

MX0153 Interdisciplinary Practice, 15.0 Credits

Praktisk tvärvetenskap

Subjects

Environmental Science Environmental science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Home exam	5.0	0102
Project work	10.0	0103

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Master’s level (AXX)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Equivalent to Bachelor’s degree of 180 credits.

Knowledge equivalent to English 6 (With a Swedish bachelor’s degree, the requirement for English is met.).

Objectives

Main Objectives

After the completed course the students should independently be able to comprehend interdisciplinary methodology and utilize them through working in interdisciplinary teams in order to analyse and improve complex situations within sustainable development which require to be addressed by interdisciplinary approaches.

Part Objectives

After the completed course, the students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding so that they can:

• define and describe relevant methods suitable for interdisciplinary analysis – including its scientific and philosophical context – which can be related to sustainable development within natural-, social- and planning sciences;

• with an interdisciplinary approach, relate the current state of the world, to a sustainable management of natural and culturally affected ecosystems, as well as to the planning of sustainable international and national urban, rural and complex urban-rural systems;

• describe how methods suitable for an interdisciplinary approach are used for outlining the control and management means, applied on different spatial scales and within strategic physical planning on regional, municipal and local community levels;

• be able to describe how an interdisciplinary method approach can be utilised for communication between different actors in collaborative learning processes on sustainable development.

The students should also be able to display their acquired skills to:

• find and select the appropriate interdisciplinary method approach and data concerning sustainable development in general and concerning the management of natural resources and sustainable community development in particular;

• practically utilise interdisciplinary methodology and data for explaining sustainable development of global biogeochemical processes, natural- and culturally affected ecosystems as well as of international and national urban, rural and complex urban-rural systems;

• describe and apply method triangulation within e.g. case studies, futures studies or risk assessment, that combine physical measurements with i.a. interviews, enquiries, observation studies (displayed in the framework course), statistics and other desktop studies.

The students should be able to evaluate and elaborate on problems related to:

• existing theories and methods for interdisciplinary analysis, method development and generally be able to utilise methods and data in a critical way;

• the actual management of natural- and culturally affected ecosystems as well as to international and national urban, rural and urban-rural complex systems, with interdisciplinary methods.

Content

The course focuses on advanced knowledge on and interdisciplinary methodology for studying the state of the world, the world natural regions, the world’s culturally affected ecosystems as well as economic and organisational control and management of their international, national, urban, rural and urban-rural systems.

Methodological topics include: Scientific philosophical foundations and interdisciplinary definitions of problems. The historic development of interdisciplinarity within natural-, humanistic- and social sciences. Quality criteria for interdisciplinary research. Analytical methods for interdisciplinary and experimental design, interview and enquiry methods, collaborative learning, systems thinking and practice, futures study- and case study methodology. Differences in intra-scientific methodology between different scientific areas. Differences between analytical knowledge and practical knowledge.

The course allows interdisciplinary student teams to carry out a project work with an interdisciplinary approach with supervision.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Passed examination, approved project work and of seminar presentations. Active participation in seminars.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

It is strongly recommended that all preceding SD Master program courses have been passed prior to starting the Interdisciplinary Practice course.

Responsible department

Department of Urban and Rural Development