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Course syllabus - Climate change and energy: past, present and future

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

MTK347

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Environmental Engineering

Organisation

Department of Engineering Sciences

Ratified

2021-01-20

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2023-06-26
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Books

    Goosse, Hugues

    Climate system dynamics and modeling

    Online ISBN: 9781316028698

    ISBN: 9781107083899

    LIBRIS-ID: 18452116

    Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1 volume

    Mandatory

Objectives

The purpose of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge of the climate system, climate change from past, present and the future, in relation to the energy system. Furthermore, the course addresses policies and actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student shall be able to:

  1. Analyse the climate system from the past development to future predictions
  2. Describe and evaluate causes and consequences of climate change
  3. Understand and discuss the role of monitoring and modelling to describe past and present climate and predict future climate
  4. Describe and appraise impacts of energy supply based on fossil and renewable energy sources on the climate system and climate change.
  5. Describe and discuss international and European policies, agreements and action plans related to climate change and sustainable development
  6. Evaluate and motivate actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its impact

Course content

The course will mainly address the following:
Climate change, physical and chemical processes related to atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, expected and actual consequences of climate change, greenhouse effect, global warming, effects of energy production on climate, CO2 and other greenhouse gases, climate monitoring and modelling, negative carbon emissions, sustainable development goals, actions to adapt to and mitigate climate change and its impacts.

Specific requirements

120 credits of which 90 credits engineering or natural science. In addition, Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and English course 6 or English level 2 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3.

Examination

Home examination (HEM1), individual home examination, 1.5 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 6)
Assignment (INL1) 3 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Project (PRO1) 3 credits. grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), (Learning outcomes: 4, 5, 6)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

AF-skala

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

Overlaps with the courses:
MTK317 Climate change and energy: past, present and future 7,5 credits.
MTK319 Climate change and energy: past, present and future, 7.5 credits