Science for Sustainable Societies (BSc)
About the programme
Science for Sustainable Societies offers an exciting combination of theory and practice. While analysing and examining relevant topics from both the natural and the social sciences domains, you will also gain lots of hands-on experience. Interactive learning is an important part of the programme. You will go on field trips and excursions, carry out practical assignments, and work on real-life sustainability issues. On top of that, during the third year you will have the option to specialise in a specific topic, or to broaden your knowledge by following courses on new topics. After successfully completing the programme, you will be awarded a BSc degree.
Study both local and international developments
Sustainability is an issue that concerns everybody on this planet. However, it is easy to get lost in the global complexities surrounding sustainable solutions. How to deal, for instance, with diverging social and economic needs, or with a wide range of stakeholders with sometimes opposing interests? Take for instance, issues such as water scarcity and agriculture; reforestation versus the wish to use land for other purposes, climate change and the energy needs of industries. The larger the scale, the more complex these issues generally are. That is the reason why in this programme, you will learn to analyse local solutions and how they differ across various locations, and how these solutions can be scaled up to suit a multi-national or even a global approach.
Read more about the programme structure here.
Programme overview
In order to contribute to a sustainable world, you need to understand this planet, how it works, and how the actions of humans influence flora, fauna, sea life, climate, and many other aspects. During the first year, we will make sure that you gain a sound foundation in the natural and social sciences, including disciplines such as ecology, earth system sciences, anthropology, psychology, and governance.
Our Ecology course covers such topics as biodiversity, energy flow, and the functioning of the ecosystem. Earth system science will show you how the earth is a system with interacting processes, and how the use of the earth’s resources (e.g. fossil fuels) affects climate and the environment.
In the Anthropology course you will focus on such issues as the relationship between economies, societies and the environment, while in our Psychology course you will study how people influence the environment, and how the environment influences people.
Governance is another discipline that is part of the first year-curriculum. Here, you will study how governments and the general public sector can either hinder or stimulate the transition to a more sustainable society. In addition, you will learn key skills, including academic writing, methods in the natural and social sciences, mathematics and understanding the importance of diversity in science.
In the second year, you will build on the knowledge and skills you acquired in the first year, which will enable you to see how strongly the various disciplines in the natural and social sciences are interconnected. A great deal of the lectures in this year will be jointly taught by two lecturers, one from the natural sciences domain, and one from the social sciences domain. This educational set-up is intended to inspire our students to develop out-of-the-box insights and to teach them how different perspectives can complement and stimulate each other. The knowledge and skills you will develop in this year will enable you to analyse complex sustainability problems and their possible solutions.
In the third year of the programme, you will have the chance to explore. During the year’s first semester you can do a minor, take courses on a new subject, or study at a university abroad. It is not possible to do an internship within the framework of the programme. There are, however, options to work as an intern outside of the programme. If you consider this, please check with your study advisor.
In your final semester you will put everything that you have learned during this bachelor’s programme into practice, working on a real-life sustainability challenge during the Sustainable Societies Project. Of course, during this year you will also write your final thesis, based on your own research project.
About the third year Sustainable Societies Project
In your third year, you will form a consultancy team with a group of fellow students. Together you will be working on a sustainability issue put forward by a company, organisation or governing body. In your team, everyone will have their own responsibility, such as researching a certain topic, coordinating the team work, overseeing the input for the project plan, etc. And as a team, you will have the joint responsibility to produce a viable and valuable project plan for the commissioning party. The team will analyse the problem, develop a path towards a feasible solution, and present their project plan to the commissioning organisation or company. This unique consultancy course will give you the chance to test and apply the expertise you gained during Science for Sustainable Societies.
Study load
As a Science for Sustainable Societies student, you can expect a full working week of about 40 hours. You will spend an average of 15 hours in-class. The rest of the time you will independently study (by doing homework, preparing for classes, working on assignments and exams) and work on group projects with fellow students.
Laura
Student
During the minor, we went on a two-week field trip in Portugal. We did research in a nature reserve and studied a river, an estuary, the vegetation, and also the experiences of the people living nearby. We analysed the water quality, set up surveys, and conducted interviews. I learned a lot from that experience; it was one of the highlights of the entire programme. In my further studies, I continue to focus on sustainability: I am now pursuing a master's in Environment and Resource Management at the VU in Amsterdam.
Educational methods
Our classes are a mixture of lectures and tutorials, individual and group assignments, practical learning, fieldwork and excursions. The lectures focus on particular topics, which are further elaborated upon in tutorials. In these tutorials, small groups of around 25 students, discuss, brainstorm about and further analyse the issues dealt with in the lectures. While developing essential academic skills, such as essay-writing, debating, presenting, and providing and receiving feedback, you will also be challenged to develop your critical thinking.
Our tutorials are interactive, lively, and dynamic. We want you to get the most out of your studies, which means that we expect you to actively participate in the programme. This active participation ranges from joining discussions and field trips, to doing presentations and working in a team with fellow students.
Co-teaching
During the second year, we will be using a unique education method. In a great deal of the lectures in this year you will be taught by two lecturers at the same time, one from the natural sciences domain and one from the social sciences domain. This educational set-up is intended to show you how different perspectives can complement and stimulate each other. In this way you will come to understand how knowledge and methods from different disciplines can be integrated in order to develop a completely new approach to a specific sustainability problem.
Mentor system
We want to make sure that you feel at home in our programme. Therefore, you will be assigned to a mentor group when starting your first year. A second-year or third-year student will be your mentor and go-to for advice and tips. Your mentor will also provide you with practical information, such as how to use the university’s online learning environment Brightspace, how to register for courses, and how to prepare for classes and exams.
Student support services
Do you need support during your studies? Our study advisors are available for advice or practical help. The threshold to approach them is low, as you will meet one of them in a personal meeting at the start of the studies. The study advisors will monitor your study progress and if necessary, will discuss this with you. Moreover, you are welcome to ask them questions about the programme, or to discuss personal circumstances that affect your studies.
In addition, we offer many other support services. If you would like to work as an intern outside of your BSc programme, our Career Services can help you find an internship position. Our International Office can help you arrange a study semester abroad. Should you need extra support due to chronic illness, dyslexia, or a physical or psychological disability, the university’s Fenestra Disability Centre is ready to assist you.
Binding Study Advice
As a first-year bachelor’s student at Leiden University, you will receive a binding study advice (BSA). This means that you will need to earn at least 45 out of the 60 study credits at the end of the first year. If you do not meet this requirement, you will not be permitted to continue your programme at Leiden University. In formulating this study advice, any relevant circumstances, such as sickness or other personal factors, will be taken into account.