Medium-term syllabus MSD 2017 - fall semester 2018 · Medium-term syllabus MSD 2017 - fall semester 2018 subject to modifications/for the online publication on 14.05.18 (=last update)/CCh

Medium-term syllabus MSD 2017 - fall semester 2018 subject to modifications/for the online publication on 14.05.18 (= last update)/CCh

This medium-term syllabus serves all students (MSD 2017) as a tool to plan their studies. Please consider the information concerning the mandatory classes and the detailed information relevant for all students.

In addition to the guidelines of the Master in Sustainable Development the medium-term syllabus contains information regarding title, teaching, format, credit points, frequency and in some cases also on admission requirements of specific classes. For details regarding learning objectives, content, timetable, allocated rooms as well as detailed information about admission and registration please consult the detailed course directory: https://vorlesungsverzeichnis.unibas.ch/en/home

This syllabus is a medium-term syllabus and modifications remain reserved. The adaptions are published regularly, usually simultaneously with the upload of the course directory of the University of Basel/once a semester. Content-related information to the three study alternatives and modules are documented in the guidelines, the study regulations and on the website: https://www.msd.unibas.ch/en

Shortcuts of the course formats (alphabetical order, translation according glossary of Unibas): C: course; CL: core lecture (Kernvorlesung); Coll: colloquium; FT: field trip (Exkursion); I: internship (Praktikum); L: lecture; PC: practical course (Übung); S: seminar; Tut: tutorial (translation according glossary of Unibas).

Further selected shortcuts (translation according glossary of Unibas): fall: fall semester; spring: spring semester; LA: learning agreement; LC: learning contract; TA: teaching assignment; MSE: Man-Society-Environment; Head = Prof. Dr. Holm (natural sciences); SRG: Sustainability Research Group; Head = Prof. Dr. Burger (social sciences); EnvEcon: Environmental Economics; Head = Prof. Dr. Krysiak (economics).

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Medium-term syllabus MSD 2017 - fall semester 2018 subject to modifications/for the online publication on 14.05.18 (=last update)/CCh Page 2 of 12

Curriculum (according the three focus areas; see study regulations §7)

Natural Sciences • Complementary Knowledge modules (CK)

• in Social Sciences (CK Soc) 12 CP • in Economics (CK Econ) 12 CP

• Interdisciplinary Research in Sustainability (IRS) 24 CP • Core Competences in Natural Sciences (CC Nat) 15 CP • Preparation Master’s Thesis in Natural Sciences (PM Nat) 15 CP • Master’s Thesis Natural Sciences 30 CP • Focal Areas in Sustainability Research module (FASR) 12 CP

Social Sciences • Complementary Knowledge modules (CK)

• in Natural Sciences (CK Nat) 12 CP • in Economics (CK Econ) 12 CP

• Interdisciplinary Research in Sustainability (IRS) 24 CP • Core Competences in Social Sciences (CC Soc) 15 CP • Preparation Master’s Thesis in Social Sciences (PM Soc) 15 CP • Master’s Thesis Social Sciences 30 CP • Focal Areas in Sustainability Research module (FASR) 12 CP

Economics • Complementary Knowledge modules (CK)

• in Natural Sciences (CK Nat) 12 CP • in Social Sciences (CK Soc) 12 CP

• Interdisciplinary Research in Sustainability (IRS) 24 CP • Core Competences in Economics (CC Econ) 15 CP • Preparation Master’s Thesis in Economics (PM Econ) 15 CP • Master’s Thesis Economics 30 CP • Focal Areas in Sustainability Research module (FASR) 12 CP


Complementary Knowledge modules (CK) Complementary Knowledge in Natural Sciences (CK Nat) 12 KP

No.: class title Lecturer / sub-ject area

Format CP Semester Frequency Notes concerning the registration of the class for the specific module

41828: Perspectives of Natural Sciences on Sustainability

Ph. Hirsch/ MSD-MSE

L + PC 3 Fall 18 Every fall These classes are mandatory. A different choice is allowed for students, who have a) attended and accredited the same

classes in their bachelor’s degree; b) attended and accredited comparable

classes in their bachelor’s degree; c) a first degree in natural science

(whether major or minor). If a), b) or c) applies, you have to register for other classes in consultation with Pro-fessor Patricia Holm.

20721: Ecosystems – Concepts, Princi-ples and Processes

I. Adrian-Kalchhauser K. Bussmann /MSD-MSE

L + PC 3 Fall 18 Every fall

40076: Technical Basis of Generation, Distribution and Storage of Energy

W. Hoffelner/ MSD with TA

L + PC 3 Spring 18 Every spring

36792: Biogeochemical Cycles and Sus-tainable Landuse

A. Kahmen/ Botany & Ecology

L 2 Spring 18 Every spring

50260: Ecology and Evolution J. Beck/MSD with TA L 1 Spring 18 First time

Complementary Knowledge in Social Sciences (CK Soc) 12 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-

ject area Format CP Semester Frequency Notes concerning the registration of the

class for the specific module

41829: Perspectives of Social Sciences on Sustainability

B. Bornemann/ MSD-SRG

L + PC 3 Fall 18 Every fall These classes are mandatory. A different choice is allowed for students, who have a) attended and accredited the same



(whether major or minor).

14253: Environmental Ethics and Inter-generational Justice

B. Schmitz/Philo MSD with TA

S 3 Fall 18 Every fall

11513: Sustainability: A new Societal Paradigm?

P. Burger/ MSD-SRG

L + PC 3 Spring 18 Every spring

17403: Governance, Sustainable Devel-opment and Democracy


S 3 Spring 18 Every spring If a), b) or c) applies, you have to register for other classes in consultation with Prof. Paul Burger.


Complementary Knowledge in Economics (CK Econ) 12 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-



48981: Intensive Introduction to Inter-mediate Economics (not possible to register or to accredit if you already have attended “Introduction to Eco-nomics”)

D. Illic/Econ L 6 Fall 18 Every fall These classes are mandatory. A different choice is allowed for students, who have a) attended and accredited the same



(whether major or minor). If a), b) or c) applies, you have to register for other classes in consultation with Pro-fessor Frank Krysiak.

10160: Environmental and Resource Economics

J. Abrell /EnvEcon


Interdisciplinary Research in Sustainability module (IRS) 24 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-



48953: Sustainable Development: Introduction into Topics and Ap-proaches

P. Holm/MSE, P. Burger/SRG, F. Krysiak/EnvEcon; all MSD

CL 3 Fall 18 Every fall Mandatory. Please consider the special passing requirement for core lectures ac-cording to the detailed course directory.

48954: Tools and Methods for Interdisci-plinary Research

M. Christen/ MSD-SRG

CL 3 Fall 18 Every fall Mandatory. Please consider the special passing requirement for core lectures ac-cording to the detailed course directory.

48955: Tools and Methods of Natural Sciences Research

I. Adrian-Kalchhauser MGU-MSD

S 3 Spring 18 Every spring Mandatory. Methods in Natural Sciences.

50901: Qualitative Data Analysis: Ana-lyzing Text and Talk

M. M. Bergman/ Sociology

S 3 Spring 18 First time Mandatory. Methods in Social Sciences:


50768: Methods in Economics: Survey Data Collection and Analytics

A. Kachi CREST-Econ

Coll 3 Spring 18 First time Mandatory. Methods in Economics.

50729: Training for Sustainability Research

P. Holm/MSE, M. Christen, with LA/SRG, P. Burger, SRG Kry-siak/EnvEcon; all MSD

Pro 6 Spring 18 Every spring Mandatory.

Master colloquium A: 50399: Introduc-tion to Ongoing MSD Master's Thesis

P. Holm/MSE, P.Burger/SRG, F.Krysiak/EnvEconall MSD

Coll 1 Fall 18 Every semester

The 3 colloquia (A, B, C) are mandatory. Order of registration according listing. For information regarding content see de-tailed course directory (detailed course in-formation regarding colloquia B and C are available as soon as the colloquia take place).

Master colloquium B: 52317: Presen-tation of Concepts of MSD Master's Thesis



Master colloquium C: 00000: Presenta-tion of results of MSD Master's thesis (lecture number tba in spring 19)


Coll 1 Spring 19 Every semester

Core Competences module (CC) Core Competences in Natural Sciences (CC Nat) 15 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-



49077: Global Change Resources P. Huggenberger & A. Affolter/with TA Dep. Env. Scienes

L + PC 3 Fall 18 Every fall Mandatory.

50264: Global Change Ecology Ph. Hirsch et al. MSD-MSE

L + PC 3 Spring 18 Every spring Mandatory.


41821: Ecological Sustainability As-pects of Climate Change

D. Schindler/ with TA MSD

L + PC 3 Fall 17 Irregular For choice.

25635: Environmental Systems: Transformation of Energy Systems ….

R. Rechsteiner/ geosciences

L + PC 2 Fall 17 Every 2nd fall For choice.

23839: Pedosphere and Hydrosphere - Biogeochemistry and Modelling of Ele-ment and Sediment Cycling

Ch. Alewell/ geo-sciences

L + PC 3 Spring 18 Every spring For choice.

15999: Globalization of Wa-ter Resources

H. Yang/MSD- MSE-EAWAG

L + PC 3 Spring 18 Irregular For choice. Takes place as a bloc course in calendar week 26.

24172: Marine Biological Considera-tions at the Strait of Gibraltar

P. Holm/MSD- MSE

FT 3 Spring 18 Irregular For choice. Takes place as a bloc course in calendar week 25.

24129: Sustainability in Ecosystem Re-search (field trip)

Ch. Alewell/ A. Lang geosci-ences

FT 2 Fall 18 Irregular For choice. Field trip takes place as a bloc course according announcement in the detailed course directory.

12127: Sustainability in Ecosystem (pro-ject)

Ch. Alewell/ A. Lang geosci-ences

P 3 Fall 18 Irregular For choice. Only in combination of 24129.

Core Competences in Social Sciences (CC Soc) 15 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-


class for the specific module 14253: Environmental Ethics and Inter-generational Justice

B. Schmitz/Philo MSD with TA

S 3 Fall 18 Every fall Mandatory.

11513: Sustainability: A New Societal Paradigm?

P. Burger/ MSD-SRG

L + PC 3 Spring 18 Every spring Mandatory.

15995: Political Ecology and Societal Transformations from Anthropological Perspective

P. van Eeuwijk/ Ethno, MSD with TA

S 3 Fall 18 Every fall For choice.


41822: Governance of Energy Transi-tion

A. Sohre/MSD- SRG

S 3 Fall 18 Irregular For choice.

41823: Risks and Stakeholder Conflicts: Global Scarcity on Water

P. Burger/ MSD-SRG


33457: Water Supply and Sanitation in Sub-saharian Africa: the example of Sambia

P. Burger/ MSD-SRG


43667: Changing Individual Energy Be-haviour - Approaches and Strategies

P. Burger/ MSD-SRG

S 3 Spring 18 Irregular For choice.

23620: Capabilities and Sustainability M. Christen/ MSD-SRG

S 3 Spring 18 Irregular For choice.

17403: Governance, Sustainable Devel-opment and Democracy


S 3 Spring 18 Every spring For choice.

Core Competences in Economics (CC Econ) 15 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-


class for the specific module 41684: Modeling in Environmental and Energy Economics

F. Krysiak, H. Weigt MSD-EnvEcon

C 3 Fall 18 Every fall You have to take the lectures for this module out of this list. Nonetheless, you are free in your choice (= no mandatory courses for this module).

14255: Adv. Environmental Economics F. Krysiak/ MSD-EnvEcon

L 3 Fall 18 Every fall

31960: Microeconomics and Psy-chology of Decision Making

U. Schiller M. Brendl/Econ


12036: Econometrics K. Schmidheiny, A. Roth/Econ


28953: Resource Economics A. Bondarev/ Econ L 3 Fall 18 Every fall

48409: Corporate Social Responsibility G. von Schnur- bein/Econ

Coll 3 Fall 18 Every fall


41904: Topics in Industrial Organization C. Roux/Econ L 3 Every fall

41957: Fundam. of Econometric Theory K. Schmid-heiny/Econ


10639: Consumer Behaviour M. Brendl/Econ Coll 3 Fall 18 Every fall

34505: Environmental Law and Pub-lic Policy. Risk and Regulation

J. Wargo/Econ L 3 Fall 18 Irregular

43030: Energy and Climate Policy – Citizens’ Perspectives

A. Kachi/ CREST-Econ


41956: Advanced Public Economics: Behavioral Models and Applications

B.Hintermann/Econ


40106: Game Theory & Theory of the Firm

D. Ilic & C. Roux Econ


40105: Macroeconomics and Finance H. Zimmer-mann et al./Econ


10625: Advanced International Trade and Business

R. Weder/Econ L 6 Spring 18 Every spring

17691: International Trade, Resources and the Environment

M.Scott Tay-lor/Econ


43498: Psychological Theory in Con-sumer Behavior

M. Brendl/Econ C 6 Spring 18 Every spring

10616: Applied Data Analysis D. Maringer/ Econ


16036: Microeconometrics I Ch. Kleiber/Econ L 3 Spring 18 Every spring

47300: International Trade & Pollution T. Erhardt/Econ L 3 Spring 18 Every spring

40134: Environment and Technical Change in Endogenous Growth Theo-ry

A. Bondarev Econ



Preparation Master’s Thesis module (PM) Preparation Master’s Thesis in Natural Sciences (PM Nat) 15 CP The classes of this module are not published in the course directory but must be fixed and confirmed with a learning agreement (use our specific MSD-form for this purpose, available on ADAM Workspace MSD). No.: class title Lecturer / sub-



49078: Research Design Master’s The-sis

P. Holm/MSE, P. Burger/SRG, F.Krysiak/EnvEcon all MSD

C 3 Fall 18 Every semester

Mandatory for all MSD-students (even for those who have started with MSD 2010 and changed to MSD 2017).

52314: MSD Life Science P. Holm J. Wiegleb/ MSD-MSE


Mandatory for all students who write the master’s thesis in the focus area of natural science. Students who register for this colloquium more than one time, may transfer the addi-tional credits to the “Focal Areas in Sus-tainability Research” module.

Independent Research Work P. Holm et al./ MSD-MSE

I 6 or 11

On agreement

- Mandatory for all students who write their master’s thesis within the Program MSE. Those writing their thesis in another re-search group, have to render an equiva-lent performance. The performance has to be fixed and confirmed in a learning contract. It either contains 6 CP (if you write an additional seminar paper) or 11 CP (if you do not write the additional seminar paper).

Seminar Paper P. Holm et al./ MSD-MSE

5 On agreement

Optional. Details have to be arranged in a Learning Contract.


Preparation Master’s Thesis in Social Sciences (PM Soc) 15 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-



49078: Research Design Mas-ter’s Thesis

P. Holm/MSE, P. Burger/SRG, F.Krysiak/EnvEcon

all MSD



52315: Sustainability Science Research (social dimension)

P.Burger/ MSD-SRG


Mandatory for all students who write their master’s thesis in the Focus area of Social Sciences. This colloquium is only account- table once.

50267: Current Topics in Social Science Based on Sustainabil-ity Research

A. Sohre/ B. Borneman MSD-SRG

S 3 Spring 18 Every spring Mandatory.

Methods: 46737: Experimental re-search methods in social sciences

I.Schubert/ MSD-SRG

S 3 Fall 18 Every fall For this module students have to attend a method course of min 3 CP. The list is subject to modifications and may be enlarged in the following semesters. Methods: 31938: Qualitative Data Anal-

ysis in African Studies E. Macamo/ Afr. Studies

S 3 Fall 17 Every fall

48555: Research Methods in Political Science

F. Weiler/ Poli-tikwissensch.

S 3 Fall 17 irregular

49855: Research Methods in Political Science

M. Hürlimann, D. Schweighoffer/ Politikwissensch.

Tut 2 Fall 17 irregular

Seminar Paper 5 On agreement

Every semester

Mandatory. Details have to be fixed in a Learning Contract.


Preparation Master’s Thesis in Economics (PM Econ) 15 CP No.: class title Lecturer / sub-



49078: Research Design Master’s Thesis

P. Holm/MSE, P. Burger/SRG, F.Krysiak/EnvEcon all MSD



14255: Adv. Environmental Economics F. Krysiak MSD EnvEcon


41684: Modeling in Environmental and Energy Economics

F. Krysiak, H. Weigt MSD-EnvEcon

C 3 Fall 18 Every fall

31960: Microeconomics and Psychol-ogy of Decision Making

U. Schiller M. Brendl/Econ


12036: Econometrics K. Schmidheiny, A. Roth/Econ Econ


40106: Game Theory and Theory of the Firm

D. Ilic , C. Roux Econ

L 6 Spring 18 Every Spring

17691: International Trade, Resources and the Environment

M. S. Taylor Econ

L 3 Spring 18 Every Spring


Master’s Thesis For modalities, the choice of the topic and the choice of the reviewer please check the fact sheet regarding the Master’s Thesis MSD 2017.

Focal Areas in Sustainability Research module (FASR) 12 CP There is no notification for this module in the detailed course directory (published each semester). The students can arrange their choice of classes by themselves and fix them in a Learning Agreement. Nonetheless, two criteria have to be considered:

1. The class has to be offered on master level (by the program in charge). 2. The class has to have a clear connection to sustainable development.

I.e. You may take lectures, seminars etc. which are offered by the MSD (2010 and 2017) or master degrees such as Economics, Biology, Sociology etc. and which have a clear reference to the topic of sustainable development. Please, make sure, you fulfill any participation criteria: if you like to take a lecture published in the module called “Core Competences in Natural Sciences” and you have chosen the Focus area in Social Sciences or in Economics, then you must have completed the module “Complementary Knowledge in Natural Sciences”; etc.

The courses have to be fixed and confirmed in a Learning Agreement (fact sheet and template available).

Documents

Medium-term syllabus MSD 2017 - fall semester 2018 · Medium-term syllabus MSD 2017 - fall semester 2018 subject to modifications/for the online publication on 14.05.18 (=last update)/CCh