91̽»¨

The course includes 7,5 credits at master's level and is part of the Master's programme in Geography with a specialisation in climatology/physical geography. The course is also offered as an elective course subject to availability.

The course can be part of the following programmes:

1) Master's Programme in Geography (N2GEO)

2) Atmosphere, Climate and Ecosystems, Master's Programme (N2ACE)

3) Master's Programme in Earth 91̽»¨s (N2GVS)

4) Environmental 91̽»¨s (N2MVN)

5) Bachelor's Programme in Geography (N1GEO)

6) Bachelor's Programme in Earth 91̽»¨s (N1GVS)

7) Bachelor's program in environmental sciences (N1MVN)

Admission to the course requires 120 credits completed courses in the main fileds of Natural 91̽»¨s, of which 75 % with at least the grade Pass and English B/English 6. In addition, students with an equivalent number of credits in Human Geography and Architecture are admitted. Students with an equivalent education may be admitted to the course after review and approval.

The course includes theoretical and practical components on how:

• the urban settlement influences different elements of local climate
• human energy balance and thermal comfort depend on the outdoor environment and affect our health, well-being and use of outdoor spaces
• cllimate knowledge can be applied in urban planning and design

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe radiation, air temperature, humidity and wind patterns in cities and explain the process behind them.
• describe the socio-economic and health impact of urban climate.
• list and evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies to modify local climate conditions.

 Competence and skills

• search, read, critically assess and discuss research articles. 
• plan and accomplish assignments within a given time frame.
• collect, process, analyse and reflect on meterological data.
• present and discuss, in writing and orally, research topics in urban climatology/meterology, human biometrology and/or climate sensitive design.

Judgement and approach

• critically evaluate and judge the quality of data and conclusions in scientific papers on urban climate, thermal comfort and climate planning.

The teaching consists of lectures, exercises (computer labs), supervison in the form of seminars linked to lectures, an "urban climate walk", field measurements and a final literature seminar.

Language of instruction: English

The assessment is based on three compulsory components:

Component 1: Written exam, 4 credits: Fail/Pass/Pass with Distinction

Component 2: Exercises and assignments, 2 credits: Fail/Pass

Component 3: Literature assignments, 1,5 credits: Fail/Pass/Pass with Distinction

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University 91̽»¨ with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course's intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/chnaged. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaption of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University 91̽»¨.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For a Pass (G) grade on the whole course, all parts, including compulsory parts, must be passed. For the written exam, a grade of 60% is required to pass the course, while 80% is required to achieve the grade Pass with Distinction (VG). For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) on the entire course, both the exam and the literature assignments must be assessed with the grade Pass with Distinction (VG).

The students are given the opportunity to make an anonymous written evaluation of the course.

The result of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Students admitted to Master's Programme in Geography (N2GEO) are given priority for admission to the course.