Environmental Studies

This course examines examines sustainability at the national and international scale. It covers existing global initiatives to achieve sustainability, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, and will explore new possibilities for governance of sustainability. 

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. This course consists of two modules: Marine Renewable Energy and Bioenergy, Hydrogen, and Heat Recovery Systems. 

For Marine Renewable Energy, students acquire the ability to assess marine renewable energy potential and to conceptually design energy devices. They are able to assess marine energy potential (wind, waves, tides, currents, etc.) and have knowledge about devices for marine energy harvesting and technological challenges, and assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts. The module covers the following topics: Marine renewable energy: sources (wind, wave, tide) and variability; Type of marine renewable energy converters; Environmental impact and cost of MRE devices; Optimal mixing of MRE; Multi-use marine areas and integration of different economic activities: MRE, aquaculture, tourism, maritime hubs; and Re-purposing of O&G platforms.

Bioenergy, Hydrogen and Heat Recovery Systems module provides the student with knowledge and understanding about: Biomass and alternative fuels for energy application: production, treatment and storage, thermochemical conversion, environmental and economic aspects; Hydrogen for energy and transport applications: characteristics, production, gas-to-power (G2P) and power-to-gas (P2G) systems, technologies for upgrading fuels (synthetic methane), fields of application, integration into the existing infrastructure; Heat recovery systems: cycles and working principle of the main heat-to-power (H2P) technologies (Organic Rankine Cycle and Stirling engine). After completion of the course the students should (i) gain general competence related to bioenergy and hydrogen-based systems and their potential in future energy supply; (ii) working with cross-cutting problems related to bioenergy and hydrogen; (iii) analyzing potential and characteristics of Organic Rankine Cycle systems heat recovery from medium and low-temperature heat sources. 

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. This course provides students with the scientific foundation of modern, anthropogenic climate change and its impacts. The course focuses on (1) the observational evidence of present climate change, (2) fundamental physical processes that shape climate (e.g. solar variability, orbital mechanics, greenhouse gases, the carbon cycle, atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and aerosols), (3) the modern description of climate change (radiative forcing, feedbacks, climate sensitivity) and (4) the physical understanding of predictions of future climate change (for example, how global warming will impact the global water cycle). At the end of the course, students are able to understand and discuss about material consequences of climate change, like sea level change, variations in precipitation, extreme events and abrupt climate change. This course also examines the science behind mitigation and adaptation proposals.

This course explores key sustainable development challenges, including climate change, poverty, inequality and social justice. It explores the concept of sustainable development and assesses the effectiveness of a range of approaches to development. The role of government, business and civil society in addressing global challenges is considered.

What are the roots of our concern for the environment? What did environmental activism look like in the 1960s, the 1930s or even the 1870s? This course offers a survey of where environmentalism has come from and where it is going. This course provides students with a deeper appreciation for the history of environmentalism. We learn about links between the development of the sciences of the environment and environmentalism as a social movement. The geographical focus in this course is on Europe and North America. However, students also locate and interrogate how environmental concern and policy has developed in various parts of the globe. Students note the experiences and contributions of different identity groups. In doing so, they consider the impact of and reactions to European imperialism and postcolonial globalization. They also examine and critique the role of the United Nations and other international organizations in environmental affairs.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a background in science to the methods and policy tools used in environmental and resource economics in order to achieve efficient management of pollution and environmental resources. More specifically, the course will introduce the concept of environmental externalities as the main source of environmental degradation, and the policy instruments used to correct these externalities. The course also includes an introduction to climate change economics and climate policy. Student having successfully completed the course are expected have a good understanding of issues and economic policies related to controlling environmental pollution and climate change. The course covers the two main approaches to the economics of the environment and natural resources - Environmental economics and Ecological economics - with a special focus on the Economics of climate change. 

This course examines policy and decision making for conserving biodiversity in an uncertain world using a combination of ecological data and decision science. 

This course provides an introduction to the importance of life cycle systems perspectives in understanding major challenges and solutions to achieving more sustainable societies in this changing world. Students learn about the relationship between mankind and the environment in the context of energy and resource use, consumption and development, and environmental constraints. Furthermore, an examination of social conflict and change from the life–cycle perspective is used to develop an understanding of potential solution pathways for sustainable lifestyle modifications. 

This course is designed to advance conceptual and applied understanding of bottom-up approaches in sustainability governance. Students are offered theories and concepts to understand the emergence and persistence of unsustainable practices and are equipped to propose which elements of these practices should change to achieve more sustainable outcomes. This regards individual and household practices, as well as the degree to which actions, rules, norms and values applied by governments, international bodies and private rule-making authorities like NGOs and companies are equipped to shape everyday practices. Be introduced to theories and concepts that address the interaction between everyday practices, transformations, systemic change and governance. Students are expected to have basic knowledge about social science theories of the environment, e.g. those presented in Social-Scientific Analysis of Environmental Issues (ENP24803).

This course examines the causes and consequences of climate change in relation to agriculture, recognizing agriculture as both a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and a sector highly vulnerable to climate impacts. With particular attention to Ireland, where agriculture accounts for a substantial share of national emissions, the course explores innovative land-use solutions and strategies for mitigation and adaptation at local and global scales. Topics include livestock management, food systems and dietary choices, agricultural efficiency, bioenergy, and policy pathways toward carbon neutrality, including those proposed by Teagasc. The course also emphasizes the development of research skills, including the sourcing, critical evaluation, and synthesis of information related to agriculture and climate change.