School of Science and Technology

Course Syllabus

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Knowledge and comprehension
After completing the course, students
- are well acquainted with the language and operational procedures/processes relevant to multilateral environment agreements, and
- have profound knowledge to design scientific assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of measures under the multilateral environment agreements (MEAs).

Proficiency and ability
After completing the course, students will be able to
- translate legal text of a convention into concrete actions to be undertaken by the relevant stakeholder to support the implementation of the convention, and
- collate relevant numerical/sectoral information into evaluation schemes to report progress towards the ultimate goals of the convention.

Values and attitude
After completion of the course, the student will have
- the ability to understand and describe the responsibilities of the main stakeholders in the implementation of multilateral environment agreements.

The course deals with the science-policy interface under multi-lateral environment agreements, such as the Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam and Minamata Conventions and the policy science interface at national level. Strategic Approach for International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is also covered. The lectures will cover the technical basis laid down in the texts of multilateral environment agreements, especially of the legally binding international conventions where Sweden is party/has ratified. The theoretical part addresses the chemicals listed in these conventions, their intentional and unintentional production, intended applications or release into the environment until human exposure and effects in humans and wildlife. Measures to eliminate or restrict production, use or application of these restricted chemicals, the importance of best available techniques and best environmental practices including alternatives will be included. The practical work for each student will consist in the preparation and presentation of a fictive but realistic situation/case.

The course includes lectures, case studies and seminars.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

ECTS Grading
The course grading is translated to the ECTS grading scale.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Second Cycle courses in Chemistry comprising at least 15 Credits. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

The language of instruction is English.


Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Additional Reading

- Basel Convention on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste: www.basel.int
- Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent: http://www.pic.int/
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants: www.pops.int
- Synergies among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions: http://synergies.pops.int/
- Minamata Convention on Mercury: http://www.mercuryconvention.org/
- Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management: http://www.saicm.org/

Skriftliga instruktioner, lagtexter, anvisningar och vetenskapliga artiklar och skrifter tillkommer. /Written instructions, legal texts, guidelines/standard operational procedures and scientific articles will be added.

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