The University of Queensland (UQ) is pleased to announce free online course termed as “The Science and Practice of Sustainable Development”. The course is aimed to learn the science and policies that drive sustainable development and how leaders can work to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The course covers key concepts of sustainability, theories and case studies from a range of disciplines, including environmental science, economics, political science, public health, ecology and more. The course draws on contemporary examples from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The course will start on March 14, 2017.
Course At A Glance
- Length: 12 weeks
- Effort: 8-10 hours per week
- Subject: Environmental Studies
- Institution: The University of Queensland (UQ)
- Languages: English
- Price: Free
- Certificate Available:
- Session: The course will start on March 14, 2017
Providers Details
- The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, is one of the world’s premier teaching and research institutions. Striving for excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge UQ ranks in the top 50 Universities as measured by the QS World University Rankings.
- The University of Queensland Mission, Vision and Values will guide the future strategies and priorities. They provide tools to guide day-to-day processes and behaviors and be reflected in all our decisions and activities.
Requirements
Participants should have experience or a strong interest in working in development. While not compulsory, it is recommended that learners have completed a bachelor degree in a relevant discipline.
About This Course
- Benefits: In this environmental studies course, you will learn key concepts of sustainability, and how to apply those to sustainable development practice. The course draws on contemporary examples from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to address the world’s most urgent challenges. The language of the course is English.
- Importance of the Subject in Today’s Scenario: Sustainable development is a worthy principle that can be applied at every level of society, as it demands that we meet the needs of our generation without compromising the needs of the next.Sustainable development is fiscally responsible, drives intellectual and technological innovation, and demonstrates humanity’s pursuit of excellence.
How to Join This Course
You should register yourself through the given link to join this free on-line course: https://courses.edx.org/register
Course Format
Week 1: What is Sustainable Development?
Introduction to key concepts and threats to sustainable development.
Week 2: The History of Inequality
Why do some countries advance while others remain poor?
Week 3: The MDGs and the End of Extreme Poverty
The impacts (or lack thereof) of the Millennium Development Goals.
Week 4: Growth within Planetary Boundaries
How can we ensure we grow sustainably?
Week 5: Human Rights and Gender Equality
Introduction to the challenges around equality, equity and fairness to all.
Week 6: Sustainability Science and Education
Introduction to a life-cycle approach to development, and the role of education in sustainable development.
Week 7: Environmental Health
Exploration of how primary health care systems are linked to poverty, and the interaction between the environment and human health.
Week 8: Sustainable Food Supply and the End of Hunger
Ensuring food security and good nutrition across the globe is an increasing challenge.
Week 9: Sustainable Cities
What makes a city sustainable? Introduction to the influence of increasing urbanization.
Week 10: Curbing Climate Change
Introduction to the science of climate change and how we can mitigate its effects.
Week 11: Saving Biodiversity
Biodiversity is under threat, from forests to oceans.
Week 12: The Sustainable Development Goals
The future of sustainable development requires a global approach.
Why Take This Course
- Advantage of Course: You will learn about sustainable development through theories and case studies from a range of disciplines, including environmental science, economics, political science, public health, ecology and more.
- Certificate: You can pursue a verified certificate for $150, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page – from there, and you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course you will be able to:
- To understand how various attributes of sustainability (environmental, economic and social) can be applied by development leaders
- To appreciate some of the scientific underpinnings of sustainable development practice and how policy-makers are trying to apply them to better governance of scarce resources
- To harmonize scientific knowledge about key planetary processes and their application to international economic development
- To describe the current policy landscape for the sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Instructors
- Saleem H. Ali: He is an environmental planner whose research and practice focuses on ways of resolving ecological conflicts through technical and social mechanisms, as well as exploring novel ways of peace-building between corporations, governments, and communities.
- Jeffrey D. Sachs: He is a world-renowned professor of economics, a leader in sustainable development, senior UN advisor, bestselling author, and syndicated columnist whose monthly newspaper columns appear in more than 100 countries.
Suggested Reading
You don’t need any prior knowledge to take this course, but an interest in the development sector.
You Might Also Be Interested In
If you are interested you can also join “The Science of Everyday Thinking” Self-Paced free online course.
Conclusion
- The course draws on contemporary examples from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to address the world’s most urgent challenges. You will learn about sustainable development through theories and case studies from a range of disciplines, including environmental science, economics, political science, public health, ecology and more.
- If you pay for the certificate then you can receive an instructor-signed certificate with the institution’s logo to verify your achievement and increase your job prospects. The Certificate and transcript give you evidence to show during job or university applications, or appraisals.
Detailed Information
For more information about the course, you can check the given link:
https://www.edx.org/course/science-practice-sustainable-development-uqx-lgdm2x#
