Lund University

This multi-discipline course treats the question of life in the Universe. Where can life have developed? Must it be on a planet similar to Earth? How is life on a planet develop and evolve? Under what extreme circumstances can life persist? We discuss these and similar questions from physical, biological and social perspectives. Students also discuss methods to find and explore planets around other stars (exoplanets) and the search for intelligent life in the Universe and possible philosophical and other consequences of its eventual discovery.

The course provides basic knowledge of Chinese political system and political developments after 1978. It analyses several key issues and challenges that characterize contemporary Chinese society such as environmental issues, socio-economic development, and issues related to regional differences and gaps in society. The course also focuses on developments in civil society and the human rights situation. Freedom of expression, the role of the media and digital developments, as well as the emergence of a surveillance society, are also studied. Domestic issues are viewed from a global perspective. The course discusses and analyses China's global ambitions and foreign and security policy.

The Roman Empire, although largely a product of warfare, lasted for half a millennium. In many ways it still survives, embedded in present institutions, explicitly addressed in contemporary architecture and constantly reemerging in literature, cinema and most recently, in computer games. This course primarily focuses on how this big empire came into being and why it lasted for so long. The course reviews the City, the Italian core land, and the provinces in an attempt to answer the following questions about the nature of this empire: How far was life in the provinces aligned with the model of the City? What purpose did monumentalization fulfill? What did it mean to be Roman? What do we know about the economic and social basis of this empire? How much did this empire differ from other contemporary constructs, such as China and Parthia?

The course gives a broad theoretical ground to wider work with digital geographic data. Understanding of representation and analysis of spatial elements are emphasized. The course also highlights general geographic problems within the environment and society through practical GIS applications. These treat both Swedish and international issues and vary in scale from the local to the regional. The parts within GIS that are treated include basic cartography, including projections, reference system, geographic data in digital form (maps, images, and tables) and positioning with GPS, basic analysis of geographic data in raster and vector format, and cartographic and graphical presentation of digital map material. In the course, training in oral and written communication is also included. Special emphasis is placed on the cartographic presentation of digital geographic data.

The aim of the course is achieved by a combination of theoretical studies of measuring principles, planning and execution of field investigations, writing of a technical report, and oral presentation at a seminar. The course is dominated by a major compulsory project work which is carried out in groups of three students. The field investigation project consists of establishing a conceptual model, numerical pre-modeling for the design of investigation strategy, field investigation, data processing, inverse modeling, interpretation, and also written and oral presentation of results. The field investigation comprises three days and consists of geological field reconnaissance, and measurements with a couple of geophysical methods in combination with other field investigation methods such as drilling, penetration testing, and digging of test pits. Two of the days are carried out in small groups of about three-four students with one teacher per group.

The delicate art of eating has many implications for sustainability. Food production and consumption affect the climate, the natural environment, and the landscape. Food also affects the sustainability of societies and individuals. Both bodily functions and length of life are partly determined by how, what, where, and when we eat. The course gives a broad introduction to the study of food and eating concerning sustainability. The course has an interdisciplinary approach, combining cultural, nutritional, and geographical perspectives. Local field studies are combined with a global outlook, based on literature studies.

Bacteria make up the foundation of the biosphere and sustain all life on earth. This course provides insights into how genes are organized and regulated in bacteria and in their viruses. The course comprises molecular biology of genes, proteins, multi-component protein complexes, and other biomolecules that provide structure and perform the organism’s functions. The use of genetic engineering and modern techniques such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and sequence analysis are included. The experimental part focus on the most studied bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Streptomyces coelicolor.