SD1004 Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges & Opportunities

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

9.00 am Tue, Wed, Thu

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A C K Brown

Dr A C K Brown
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Building on the introduction and broad overview of Sustainable Development (SD) provided in SD1000, SD1004 offers a detailed investigation of a selection of core issues in SD and of how these issues are addressed by key players. Utilising the UN's Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, the module is organised around five thematic clusters. These themes are explored from various disciplinary perspectives, explaining: (i) how each theme can be understood and what it entails in practice, (ii) who the key stakeholders are and the nature of their involvement, and (iii) how we can critically analyse the evidence in the context of SD and go beyond conventional paradigms and behavioural patterns. The module also highlights recurring, cross-cutting themes such as values, partnership, and diversity as ambitions of SD.

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures (x 10weeks), 1 tutorial (x 4 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

38

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

154

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

SD1004 Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges & Opportunities

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

9.00 am Tue, Wed, Thu

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C Smeaton

Dr C Smeaton
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module explores the societal and technological transformations that are required to pursue sustainable futures. Which paradigms drive our current global challenges and can we shift these? We will examine interconnected systems, such as ecosystems and food systems, to reveal the interactivity between dimensions of sustainable development. Through critical analysis of the history of development, we will explore how understanding the past and present helps us to work towards creating fairer, greener and more prosperous futures. We will foreground cross-cutting themes such as policy and participation, and partnership and diversity, as key approaches for change. Transformations require creativity and innovation, and students will be supported to reflect on current practices and design alternatives. Lectures, tutorials, a field class and small group workshops support learning. Students will develop their skills in assessing, organising and evaluating the reliability of information.

Assessment pattern

60% coursework, 40% examination.

Re-assessment

100% coursework.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 x 1hr lecture (x11 weeks), 1 x 1hr tutorial (x4 weeks), 1 x 1hr project session (x4 weeks), 1 x field class (approx. 4 hrs).

Scheduled learning hours

38

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

154

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.