After the successful completion of the course, students should have acquired knowledge regarding the comprehension of the genesis, function and management of the most significant renewable resources (forests, soils, water, pastures, wildlife). They should be able to define the concept of sustainability, to distinguish sustainable management practices. Also, they will be able to comprehend the need for establishing Protected Areas , to assess the compatibility or incompatibility with the development process, as well as, to gain knowledge of the policies governing them. They will, clearly, recognize the value of biodiversity, the consequences deriving from its degradation and how it can be protected. They shall be able to interpret the phenomenon of desertification, analyze its causes, propose and evaluate containment and protection measures from desertification. |
The aim of this course is also deepening in particular issues or leading edge topics (determined by the instructor ), through the preparation of dissertations by the students , which are presented in the form of presentations and are then debated (objected , further analyzed etc.). Additionally, in the frame of the course, several questions are posed by the instructor, which are to be answered by the students the following week, through the presentation of a power point demonstrating their responses, followed by dialogue / debate. Through these processes, students demonstrate their ability to : a) gather data and information , b ) communicate information and ideas to the public, c ) compare and evaluate natural resources protection policies implemented in various countries , d ) propose solutions to various issues regarding natural resources management, through developing relevant arguments .
Regarding the general skills (according to the Diploma Appendix) that a graduate student of this course should acquire, they are listed as follows:
• Ability to research international and domestic bibliographic references, analyze and synthesize data and information • Ability to work both independently as well as as part of a team in a future interdisciplinary environment • Ability to exercise criticism, through the presentation of individual / group projects, as well as to develop arguments. • Respect to the natural environment, as a result of a deeper knowledge of both the value of natural resources as well as the impact of their non-rational management and exploitation. |
• Ability to promote free, creative and deductive thinking through questions posed during the semester in which students are invited to propose their own justified aspects and solutions.
Natural resources, their distinctions. Nature protection in Greece, institutional context – policies, protected areas, management of protected areas. Sustainability / sustainable development. Forests (current situation, the role of forests, problems – risks, forest vegetation zones, forest management in Greece). Soils (soil formation, soil properties, soil protection / restoration measures from water and wind erosion, improvement of saline and alkalized soil). Water resources (current situation, problems, management). Pastures, wildlife. Desertification (cause analysis, presentation of case studies focusing on the Mediterranean basin, especially in Greece, measures against desertification). Biodiversity, institutional framework.
Specified Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Criteria | Determination of weight |
Written project | 100% |
The evaluation criteria are accessible to the students through oral communication but also through the e-class platform. Also, all students can inspect their corrections on their project.
Pedion Areos, 383 34, Volos
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+30 24210 74380
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