Environmental Management Systems
Summary
The course is designed for students that have studied environmental science and want to learn how to carry out hands on environmental work. The course aims to provide skills in designing and implementing an environmental management system (EMS), such as the worldwide very common ISO14001, including environmental auditing. Also the European version EMAS is addressed. After the course, the student is well trained to either implement an EMS in a company/organization or work as an auditor checking such systems.
About
The idea of an environmental system , as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks are presented. The ISO 14001 and EMAS standards are addressed in detail. Experienced lecturers from the business sector are invited to share their practical experiences. Exercises of different practical items like e.g. formulating objectives, planning an audit, writing a non-conformity, are important activities to help the students to become more “hands-on”.
Half of the course constitutes a project carried out in smaller groups for a real company/organization. The project consists of writing an environmental review including identifying the company’s environmental aspects, making a legislation list, a risk and opportunity assessment and a stakeholder analysis. Furthermore, an environmental policy, a set of objectives, one procedure and an audit plan are written. The global GRI-Standards system for writing a sustainability report is also a part of the course. The project work can be carried out elsewhere than in Gothenburg. But then the student must on its own find a company/organization to work at.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
45 credits in environmental science. Students with equivalent education can be allowed to enter the course. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.
Entry requirements valid från autumn term 2025:
120 HEC of which at least 30 HEC in environmental science courses, or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English corresponding to English 6/English B from Swedish upper secondary school. For more information, see English language requirements on Universityadmissions.se.
Selection
Selection is based upon the number of credits from previous university studies, maximum 165 credits.
Facilities
Teaching is conducted in the Natrium building, on Medicinareberget in Gothenburg (Medicinaregatan 7B).
