Courses at SLU

After four weeks now, I can speak a bit about what I am studying here. Indeed, the first aim of an erasmus exchange is, of course ;-), studies (seriously, that's not a joke XD)

I had to pick up courses for at least 25 ects credits, which I did choosing 4 of them for the semester. These courses are :

• International forest policy
• Introduction to Master's studies
• Man, societies and the environment
• Soil biology

Introduction to master's studies

Behind this weird name is actually hidden a very interesting and useful course. It is only worth 5 ects; but very rewarding for the moment. The aim of it is to become familiar with scientific and academic writing, doing formal oral presentations in English in front of an audience and learning how to manage teams, etc.... In fact, it is a toolbox course, with no specific subject, but which aims to teach you the basic skills you need to develop when studying at an advanced level in an international environment. As it is my first time studying exclusively in English, I think it was a good choice.

Pictures from the ekologicentrum ! Free coffee ad nauseam

International forest policy

The course on forest policy is one of the main reasons why I came to Uppsala. Indeed, here we study political science in the field of forestry, and learn how different policy makers and stakeholders behave in an era of change for the forestry sector. We also learn how different political tools can be used, and are used today by different actors to ensure the sustainability of our forests. Thus, the course encompasses wood market regulation, policy analysis, international organizations, socio-economic aspects of forestry, etc... It needs a lot of work at home (reading, project works, etc....) but is really worth it. For example, we had one week to prepare an analysis of a policy on a special case, and see how it affects Sweden. I worked with two other students on illegal trade and the european timber regulation, and we made a talk and animated a debate in front of people from the ministry of rural affairs and the Swedish forest agency. It was actually hard to do it in time, for so rewarding. I learnt a lot about it ;)

The Silvicum

Man, socities and the environment, and soil biology

I will only begin these courses in November, so for the moment I basically know what is written on the schedule and the syllabus.

The course Man, society and the environment is a big course of 10 etcs, meaning I will study it 3,5 days every week. It will be composed of several modules, 3 dealing with economics (environmental economics, business management for the environment and ecology economics), 1 with policy making and 1 with ethics, and should normally enable me to develop skills outside the technical aspects of environmental science. Sounds really interesting ^^

The last one, soil biology, was chosen as I needed one last course, and, given the choices, this one was probably the best option. Indeed, the rest of the courses mostly deal with economics and policy, so I felt I needed a more technical course to finish. And that's what I hope it will be ! Indeed, as the man with the moustache would say, nothing is more sensual than humus (private joke inside) !

Some general thoughts

From an overall perspective, the teaching at SLU, and in Sweden in general, is quite different from the French system. Here, you have less hours at school (lectures and so on), but have more independent work to carry out, like for instance, reading one or two papers before every class so we discuss it with others, and with help from the teacher, make conclusions about the matter dealt with in the articles. Also, every week, you have assignments to prepare and hand out to the teacher, and you receive an individual feedback from him/her, which is far from the "you did right" or "you did wrong" like we can have in France. Students are not treated as children or neophytes here, but as real adults and collaborators. This makes me feel more at ease, and I think it helps people take their responsibilities, as you can get involved as much as you want in your studies !

Well, that's it for this very serious article. Next time, I promise, something more funny !

Vi ses senare !

Inside the MVM