The University of Queensland is offering Sustainable Development Online Course with edX. In this environmental studies course, applicants will learn key concepts of sustainability, and how to apply those to sustainable development practice.

In this twelve-week course, applicants will learn the science and policies that drive sustainable development and how leaders can work to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The course is ongoing.

Course At A Glance

Length: 12 weeks
Effort: 8-10 hours/week
Subject: Environmental Studies
Institution: University of Queensland and edX
Languages: English
Price:  Free
Certificate Available: Yes
Session: Open

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. UQ is one of only three Australian members of the global Universitas 21 and a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8) universities. UQ is recognised for its world standard specialised research and teaching excellence; having won more Australian Awards for University Teaching than any other in the country.

About This Course

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.

Why Take This Course?

Applicants 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. You also will learn about planetary boundaries, urbanization and growing inequality, to show how integral sustainable development is to our everyday existence.

Learning Outcomes

• 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 for 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

Professor and former Chair of Sustainable Resource Development, University of Queensland

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.

Course Format

Week 1: What is Sustainable Development?
Week 2: The History of Inequality
Week 3: The MDGs and the End of Extreme Poverty
Week 4: Growth within Planetary Boundaries
Week 5: Human Rights and Gender Equality
Week 6: Sustainability Science and Education
Week 7: Environmental Health
Week 8: Sustainable Food Supply and the End of Hunger
Week 9: Sustainable Cities
Week 10: Curbing Climate Change
Week 11: Saving Biodiversity
Week 12: The Sustainable Development Goals

How To Join This Course

• Go to the course website link
• Create an edX account to SignUp
• Choose “Register Now” to get started.
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