Concept: The module pb419 has been offered since WS2022/23. It provides a formal framework ("container") for offering courses quickly, flexibly and without lengthy changes to the examination regulations. Students earn credit points and these are credited to the area of specialisation.

It is possible to incorporate current topics, research findings and developments into the programme at short notice using suitable course formats. Students benefit from an expansion of the range of courses on current topics and methods. Special topics that are not included in the main specialised modules can be offered in this way.

For students

• Insight into current topics and modern methods: The module offers students an extension of the range of courses on offer, e.g. on current topics and modern methods. Unusual topics can also be offered that do not fit into large compulsory elective modules or show perspectives on future developments that are not part of the standard BSc repertoire.
• Depending on the course, basic knowledge from new areas can be acquired or specialised knowledge can be deepened. Research-related topics provide an insight into the conception and implementation of environmental science research.
• Getting to know lecturers and working groups: Students can get to know lecturers who do not or only rarely teach in the BSc Uwi. There is contact with working groups, including those at other Institutes (e.g. the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity), which are less present in the BSc Uwi but may be of interest for final theses and internships.
• English language skills: English-language courses are offered, which provide a low-threshold introduction to English as a scientific language. English-language teaching can be tried out and English language skills can be tested, practised and expanded in practice.
• Recognition of external credits: The module can be used to transfer credits earned outside the UOL, provided that appropriate evidence and certificates are available (Virtual Academy, summer schools, NGOs, other universities). Prior clarification is advisable.
• Topics at the suggestion of students: Ideas and suggestions for new topics from students can be easily realised in this format, as only a few lecturers need to be recruited for individual courses with 3 CPs.

For lecturers

• Teaching can be offered flexibly within the formal framework of a pb module . Changes to the examination regulations are not necessary. Courses can be offered every semester in various teaching formats and can also be one-off or temporary. Formal integration can take the form of an unpaid teaching assignment.
• Flexible content: Topics can be offered that cannot be accommodated in regular specialised modules. It is conceivable to offer both basic courses on topics that are not widely covered in the curriculum as well as special topics that expand on other courses.
• "What I've always wanted to teach...": The module offers space for interesting topics that cannot be accommodated in the regular subject modules but should always be taught. Students can also suggest topics.
• Target group:
  • People with a low teaching load
  • Colleagues with fixed-term, short contracts, post-docs
  • People who do not have a teaching load but would like or need to gain teaching experience (e.g. postdoctoral lecturers or project staff)
  • People who are new to our university and have not yet been able to create a regular teaching programme
  • Visiting academics
  • Lecturers who would like to offer a current topic outside of the regular modules.
• Teaching is possible in German or English.
• You can register for a course as part of the usual enquiry process. However, prior consultation with the module coordinator is essential.

Formalities

• Assignment: Area of specialisation (subject-related PB in the BSc Environmental Sciences)
• Target group/level: Students in the subject Bachelor of Environmental Sciences, (usually) from the third semester onwardsas a PB module, but in principle open to all Bachelor's students.
• Prerequisite: general scientific knowledge of natural sciences, geosciences and environmental sciences (corresponding to undergraduate studies), in individual cases special knowledge as specified by the lecturer.
• Module scope: 6 CP. Courses are usually offered with 3 CP (2 SWS), i.e. 2 courses must be taken. The two courses can be taken in different semesters. Credit points are only recognised after completion of the entire module.
• Examination: An examination must be taken in one of the modules taken. The type of examination is determined by the lecturers. Active and demonstrable participation in the second course is required.
• Times and locations: Locations and times can be specified when registering. As there is no experience with new courses, rooms and times can be agreed with the participating students by means of a survey or at preliminary meetings and suitable rooms can be found.
• Procedure: There are many different options for teaching formats (V/Ü/SE/EX etc.), schedule (semester-long, block, selected dates by arrangement) and types of examination, which are determined by the lecturers.
• Language: German or English
• Frequency: every semester with alternating courses
• The module can be taken twice, provided that the courses are different in terms of content.
• On proposal, the module can be used for crediting suitable external achievements of up to 6 CP (e.g. courses at summer schools or other universities, at the Virtual Academy or at NGOs). Prior clarification is advisable.

Contact/module responsibility/coordination:

Module pb419 will be offered every semester from WS2022/23. The range of courses can and will change every semester, with new courses being added or dropped. The more courses on offer, the more attractive the module becomes. Courses from different semesters can be combined to achieve the required 6 CP.

• Preliminary discussions: after separate announcement
• Further information in the current module handbook

Winter semester 2023/24

VL/SE Oceans and Climate Change (H. Thomas)
Climate change affects us all… [Read more]

Climate change affects us all, and the ocean also plays an important role in this context.

SE Order-of-magnitude estimates for the everyday energy balance (B. Blasius, C. Feenders)
Modern life, with its air conditioning and high levels of mobility, is associated with high per capita energy consumption, which is predominantly met by fossil fuels. [Read more]

Modern life, with its air conditioning and high levels of mobility, is associated with high per capita energy demand, which is predominantly met by fossil fuels. The intensive use of this limited resource, due to the associated CO₂ emissions, is a key driver of climate change, with its negative consequences for people and the environment. Reducing energy consumption and switching to more sustainable energy sources is therefore one of the most pressing societal challenges. In order to develop realistic planning options for this, it is necessary to draw up as comprehensive a balance sheet as possible of energy consumption and generation. However, the data required for this is not always available (e.g. internal company data) or has never been collected (keyword: ‘future technologies’). In this context, students learn to tap into data sources and, above all, to make well-founded estimates of missing information using basic physical calculations. To this end, students present given examples, discuss them together and examine them beyond purely energy-related aspects (seminar). In a final project (assessed as a seminar paper), a given research question is examined in accordance with the principles learnt.

Lecture/Seminar: The Importance of Rhythms and Endogenous Oscillators in Biology (K. Tessmar-Raible)
Time matters for any process in the living world: from biochemistry to behaviour to ecological processes.[Read more]

Time is a crucial factor in every process in the living world: from biochemistry to behaviour to ecological processes. Organisms have, in principle, two ways of keeping time: by responding directly to environmental stimuli or by following endogenous oscillators that measure time even in the absence of regular environmental stimuli. The field of research that investigates the role of time in biology is known as chronobiology. This seminar aims to provide an overview of various concepts in chronobiology (clocks, oscillators, rhythms, entrainment, free-run, chronotypes, and the sun and moon as timekeepers in biology). What are the current gaps in our understanding of this field, and why do they exist? What are the consequences of mis-timing, and how is this linked to the challenges of modern lifestyles and climate change? In particular, the seminar aims to discuss such current ‘hot topics’ using examples from primary and secondary research literature.

Lecture/Tutorial: Python for Beginners (V. Kruglov)
“Python 3 for Beginners” is designed for those just starting out on their programming journey. [Read more]

“Python 3 for Beginners” is designed for those just starting out on their programming journey. The course covers the fundamentals, including syntax, control structures and basic data structures. Students will learn to define functions, implement algorithms and explore object-oriented programming paradigms. They will be introduced to essential Python libraries and modules, ranging from basics such as `math` and `datetime` to specialised tools such as `numpy` and `pandas` for scientific computing. Students will explore data visualisation tools, such as `matplotlib`. The course also touches on some advanced topics, preparing learners to apply Python in a variety of scientific scenarios.

Summer Semester 2024

VL/Ü Field Exercise ‘Interdisciplinary Coastal Protection’ (H.-A. Giebel, J. Wollschläger)
19 May – 24 May 2024,
This is a 5-day interdisciplinary field exercise covering various topics in coastal protection. [Read more]

This is a 5-day interdisciplinary field exercise covering various topics in coastal protection, organised in collaboration with the Ludwig-Franzius Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Estuarine and Coastal Engineering at LUH Hannover and TU Braunschweig. Individual coastal protection structures and measures will be visited and discussed from engineering and environmental science perspectives.

This new format is designed to raise awareness of the other disciplines among both students and teaching staff. The aim is to encourage exchange and collaboration between the disciplines. The focus is on getting to know different institutes and the various perspectives of engineers, environmental scientists, biologists, oceanographers and physicists. This is supported by practical field visits to specific coastal protection sites and by lectures.
The following are planned: start in Hanover at the FZK Hanover wave flume, ICBM Wilhelmshaven; Wilhelmshaven Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA); boat trip, concluding with a visit to coastal protection measures on Spiekeroog.
Approximately 10 students (BSc UWi and MSc MuWi) from each location will take part. Any additional costs for travel and accommodation may have to be partly covered by the students themselves, as unfortunately not everything can be covered by third parties.
Participants are required to produce a report following the field exercise. Details will be provided at the preliminary meeting, the date of which will be announced in good time by email. Final and binding allocation of places will take place during the preliminary meeting.

SE Journal Review of Scientific Ocean Biogeochemistry Publications (B. Owusu)
A scientific journal club [Read more]

This course is designed to enhance critical thinking and analytical skills by engaging students in the process of reviewing and discussing scientific papers. Through a series of interactive sessions, participants will learn to evaluate and analyse scientific papers, understand the components of effective research articles, and engage in scholarly discussions to enhance their research capabilities. The course will focus on developing the skills necessary for successful peer-review processes and promoting effective communication within the scientific community.