Course: Theoretical Aspects of the Environment

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Course title Theoretical Aspects of the Environment
Course code UECHI/C495
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course unspecified
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Janíková Lenka, Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
Week 1 Introduction to environmental theory - environment as a system. Hydrosphere and examples of qualitative and quantitative influences. Water footprint. Week 2 Atmosphere as a component of the environment - major pollutants and pollution related phenomenas. Dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere, dispersion studies. Week 3 - 4 Earth's body - components and structure. Relief. Mineral resources and mining. Types of extraction, their specificities, and environmental impacts. Reducing the burden on the environment from mining. Week 5 Pedosphere - composition and properties. Qualitative and quantitative soil degradation. Agricultural soil fund of the Czech Republic. Soil bonita. Week 6 Forests and their functions in terms of stability and environmental protection. Forest soil fund of the Czech Republic. Degradation and protection of forests - current status. Basic legislative measures. Week 7 Agriculture - brief history. Agricultural sectors and their environmental impacts. Practices of conventional and sustainable agriculture. Specific sectors and their impacts on the environment. Waste management. Legislative measures. Week 8 Transport - different types and their environmental impacts. Impact on the landscape. Waste management. Options for reducing emissions from transport. European Green Deal and current legislative measures. Week 9 Energy - brief history, current situation in the Czech Republic and worldwide. Nuclear energy. Fossil fuels as a source of energy. Week 11 - 12 Renewable energy sources (RES) - water, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal energy. Energy recovery from waste. Impact on the environment and specifics of individual RES. Week 12 Euroepan Green Deal and Energy Concept of the Czech Republic. Current trends in the energy sector. New types of installations/energy used. Week 13 Physical pollution - use of portable measuring instruments for environmental quality control.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Demonstration, Skills training
  • Participation in classes - 65 hours per semester
  • Home preparation for classes - 15 hours per semester
  • Writing a seminar paper - 30 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an exam - 70 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to create a comprehensive understanding of the state of the individual components of the environmental system not only in the Czech Republic but also within the global ecosystem, including the prediction of the development of individual environmental components and the possibility of eliminating negative impacts on them.
After completing the course, the student is able to orientate in the problems of environmental damage and protection.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of ecology and environmental science within the scope of undergraduate studies.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Home assignment evaluation

oral exam, active participation in seminars, seminar paper (water footprint)
Recommended literature
  • Antonio A. R Ioris. Agriculture, environment and development : international perspectives on water, land and politics. 2016. ISBN 978-3-319-32254-4.
  • Braniš, Martin . Atmosféra a klima : aktuální otázky ochrany ovzduší. Praha: Karolinum, 2009. ISBN 978-80-246-1598-1.
  • Dirner,V. a kol. Ochrana životního prostředí. Praha: MŽP,TU VŠB,1997.
  • Hemerka, Jiří. Základy ochrany ovzduší. Praha: Česká technika - nakladatelství ČVUT, 2008. ISBN 978-80-01-03922-9.
  • Herčík, Miloslav. Životní prostředí : základy environmentalistiky. Ostrava: VŠB - Technická univerzita Ostrava, 2006. ISBN 80-248-1073-5.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester