Program Overview

Systems Thinking for Sustainability and Climate Action (CE6047)

Module Goal

This module aims to examine concepts and principles in sustainability, sustainable development, and systems thinking and complexity as applied to environmental sustainability, decarbonisation and climate change. To gain an appreciation and knowledge of contemporary issues in environmental sustainability and the systems thinking tools that can be applied to analyse, understand and solve those issues.

Module Content

• Sustainability, sustainability frameworks, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, decarbonisation and climate change.
• Systems thinking, systems mapping and systems analyses.
• Complexity, non-linearity and systems dynamics (interactions, interdependency, adaptability and uncertainty).
• Sustainability strategy, planning and roadmap development.

Learning Pathway

Students completing the Systems Thinking in Environmental Sustainability microcredential, along with CE6045 and CE6046 can gain exemptions from the PG Cert in Sustainability in Enterprise.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

• 30 x 1Hr(s) Lectures
• 14 x Hr(s) Workshops
• 4 x 1Hr(s) Seminars

Practicalities

Continuous Assessment Details: 200 marks

• Assignment Written Reports (2 x 60 marks each) - 120 marks
• Groupwork Group Project - 80 marks

Why Choose

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Articulate key concepts related to sustainability, sustainability frameworks and sustainable development.
2. Describe and identify the principles of systems thinking and complexity as applied to environmental sustainability, decarbonisation and climate.
3. Identify and describe the principles underlying complex systems and how they function.
4. Describe environmental sustainability challenges in a global, environmental, economic and societal context and describe how systems.
5. Apply complex systems thinking tools to understand and solve environmental sustainability and decarbonisation problems through the analysis and interpretation of data.
6. Design a component, system or process to meet environmental sustainability targets by combining and considering environmental.
7. Develop strategies for environmentally sustainable transitions in large systems and organisations.

Requirements

Applicants must have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) with at least a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in any of the following:

• Science
• Engineering
• Business
• Management
• Economics
• Sustainability
• A related discipline (e.g. Finance, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Computer Science or Medicine)

Candidates who have completed the Higher Diploma in Sustainability in Enterprise (NFQ, Level 8) are also eligible to apply to this micro-credential.

Fees and Costs

The HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning.

The fee for this micro-credential is €1,800 but applicants who meet the subsidy requirements can attend this micro-credential for €360.

Check your eligibility on the HEA Website

How To Apply

Please select the following options during your online application (once you have created your profile):

• Start a new Micro-credentials application by selecting as below
• In the application level tab select the options below and then select the programme/module you'd like to apply for

Programme Details

• Code: CE6047
• Duration: 8 weeks
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Fees: €1,800 (€360 with HCI Pillar 3 Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy)
• Closing Date: Closed for applications
• Venue: This module will be delivered online
• Credits: 10
• Start Date: Proposed Date: 20th January 2025