Masterprogram i kemi med inriktning miljöforensik, 120 högskolepoäng

Master's Programme in Chemistry in Environmental Forensics, 120 Credits

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Objectives for the programme

Knowledge and understanding
For a Master of Science (60 credits) degree the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Master of Science (60 credits) degree the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues autonomously as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach
For a Master of Science (60 credits) degree the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

(Appendix 2, Higher Education Ordinance)

Knowledge and understanding
For a Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach
For a Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

(Appendix 2, Higher Education Ordinance)

Local objectives for the programme
On completion of the programme the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge of the spread of environmental pollutants in complex environmental systems in relation to their effect on man and natural environments,
• demonstrate advanced knowledge on the toxicity and global environmental effect of chemicals,
• demonstrate an ability to perform toxicological risk assessments of chemicals,
• demonstrate an ability to integrate knowledge from the different fields of environmental forensics to determine the time for and origin of pollution events,
• demonstrate an ability to plan, execute and assess advanced analytical laboratory experiments, including field experiments, and explain complex links,
• demonstrate a capacity for a scientific and evidence-based approach to environmental-forensic analysis,
• demonstrate an understanding of the workings of international agreements on hazardous substances to limit the harmful effects of chemicals on man and the environment, and
• demonstrate in-depth knowledge on research and project management within environmental forensics.

COURSES WITHIN THE PROGRAMME

• The Transport of Pollutants in Soil, Water, and Air, second cycle, 15 credits (chemistry, A1N)
• Environmental Toxicology, second cycle, 10 credits (environmental science, A1N)
• Health Impacts of Environmental Exposure, second cycle, 5 credits (environmental science, A1N)
• Analytical Methods in Environmental Forensics I, second cycle, 15 credits (chemistry, A1N)
• Analytical Methods in Environmental Forensics II, second cycle, 15 credits (chemistry, A1F)
• Sustainability, Chemical Safety and the Environment, second cycle, 15 credits (chemistry, A1N)
• Independent Project for the Degree of Master (60 Credits) in Chemistry, second cycle, 15 credits (chemistry, A1E)
• Independent Project for the Degree of Master (60 Credits) in Chemistry, second cycle, 30 credits (chemistry, A1E)
• Independent Project for the Degree of Master (120 Credits) in Chemistry, second cycle, 45 credits (chemistry, A2E)

GENERAL ORGANISATION OF THE PROGRAMME

This two-year programme comprises 120 credits and leads to a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits). The main field of study for the degree is chemistry. Students can also choose to follow a one-year curriculum, obtaining a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits). The programme opens with the course The Transport of Pollutants in Soil, Water, and Air, 15 credits, discussing pollutants and their characteristics, origin and spread between different media (soil, water, air).

The programme gives students an in-depth theoretical background to the different fields of environmental forensics, including documentation of polluted areas, identification of pollution sources, transport modelling and determination of environmental pollutants using advanced analytical methods. By integrating knowledge procured during the different courses, students will be able to determine the time for and source of chemical pollution in the environment. A problem-based learning approach based on environmental-forensic case studies is applied during the course of the programme. These case studies, as well as the programme as a whole, have strong links to industry and commerce.

QUALIFICATIONS

Magisterexamen
A Master of Science (60 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 60 credits, including at least 45 credits on the second cycle, of which at least 30 credits are for specialised study in a main field of study (courses labelled A1N/A1F/A1E) and at least 15 credits are for an independent project (degree project) with the label A1E.

In addition, the student is required to have completed a Degree of Bachelor, a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, a professional qualification of at least 180 credits, or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

Masterexamen
A Master of Science (120 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 120 credits, including at least 90 credits on the second cycle, of which at least 60 credits are for specialised study in a main field of study (courses labelled A1N/A1F/A1E and A2E) and at least 30 credits are for an independent project (degree project) with the label A2E.

In addition, the student is required to have completed a Degree of Bachelor, a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, a professional qualification of at least 180 credits, or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Natural Sciences or Chemical engineering with at least 60 ECTS in Chemistry. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

In order to gain admission to courses within the programme, other admission requirements than the above may apply. Such requirements are prescribed in the current course syllabuses.

SELECTION AND GUARANTEED ADMISSION

Number of credits no later than on the closing date for applications.

Students admitted to the programme are guaranteed admission to the courses within the programme to the extent and scope that is defined in the programme syllabus. Guaranteed admission applies to no more than 30 credits per semester and is conditional to the student meeting the specific admission requirements.

OTHER PROVISIONS

The language of instruction is English.

Provisions for the individual courses within the programme are set out in the respective course syllabuses. Information on regulations concerning first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (e.g. admission, examination, credit transfer and degrees as well as delegations), can be found at Örebro University's homepage: https://www.oru.se.

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Information

Students who have been accepted to and registered on the programme have the right to complete their studies in accordance with the programme syllabus in force at their admission and at the rate of study that applied at the time of their admission.

Students who have been granted the right to take up their studies following an approved leave from studies have the right to continue their studies in accordance with the programme syllabus in force at the time of their admission.

Provisions concerning the right to examination on courses that have been altered or discontinued are laid down in the respective course syllabus or in a separate decision.