Core modules
Teaching on this course is usually split equally between the GSD Department and the School of Life Sciences, regardless of your chosen route.
In the first year you will study core GSD modules designed to provide a critical understanding of the ‘three pillars of sustainable development’:
- Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
- Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
- Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development
You will also study the core Global Sustainable Development Project module, giving you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community. For the Life Sciences half of the workload, you will take three core modules:
- Quantitative Skills for Biology
- Molecules, Cells and Organisms
- Tutorial Programme
You will also choose one module from the following optional core modules:
- Animal and Plant Biology
- Environmental Biology
- Agents of Infectious Diseases
At the end of the first year, you will select a route for the remainder of your degree, either Biological Sciences or Ecology.
In the second year, in GSD you will have the opportunity to engage with a key issue in sustainability, studying one optional core module from the following:
- Health and Sustainable Development
- Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
- Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All
You will also choose optional modules with a GSD focus either from within GSD or from other departments across the University.
In the second year on the Biological Sciences route, you will study three core modules:
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Genetics and Genomics
- Neurobiology
You will also study one optional core module from the following:
- Immunology
- Microbial Pathogens
- Protein Structure and Function
- Neuropharmacology
In the second year on the Ecology route, you will study two core modules:
- Ecological Principles and Processes
- Ecology and its Applications
You will also study one optional core module, either:
- Biological Oceanography or Plant Molecular Development
In addition, you will study one optional module, either
- Evolution or Epidemiology and Public Health
You may choose to study abroad for part of your second year at Monash University. In Term One at Warwick, you will study an optional core GSD module, an optional module with a GSD focus, and Life Sciences modules within your chosen route. The remaining study will consist of pre-approved modules at Monash University.
In the final year you will take one core GSD Dissertation module, plus further relevant modules with a GSD focus from within or outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies.
In the final year on the Biological Sciences route, students will select either a Research Project or Exploiting Innovations in Biology and Bioenergy and Biorefining. You will also choose two modules offered by the School of Life Sciences from a defined list. Examples include Science Communication, Bacteria: Genes to Behaviour, and Modern Approaches to Diseases.
In the final year on the Ecology route, students will select either a Research Project or Environmental Science and Management and Extreme Environmental Biology. You will also choose two modules offered by the School of Life Sciences from a defined list. Examples include Biological Clocks, Principles of Development, and Exploiting Innovations in Biology.
Year One
GSD
Why and how can economics address issues of global sustainable development? In this module, you will learn about the relationship between economic activity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, and critically analyse the economic theories that underpin sustainable development policy interventions and how those theories impact upon policy design.
Read more about the Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
This module focuses on the natural science of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. We will cover well-known topics like climate change and biodiversity loss and less prominent problems like biochemical flows. You will evaluate existing governance and management efforts and develop innovative responses of your own. You will learn how to write a policy briefing and create a policy briefing paper and policy pitch, aimed at a specific decision-making audience.
Read more about the Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
This is an exciting, innovative, and practical module. It is designed to give you research and analysis skills and to enable you to apply the theories from your other first-year core modules. You will learn how to research sustainability by designing and developing a group project on the topic of sustainable transport, under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Staff from across the GSD Department with expertise in transport policy as well as research methods teach this module.
Read more about the Global Sustainable Development Project moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Life Sciences
Quantitative Skills for Biology
All biological scientists need to understand and analyse quantitative data. So, this module will see you learning to use statistical methods for analysing and summarising experimental data (for example, from your lab classes), and learning the basic principles for modelling biological populations.
Read more about the Quantitative Skills for Biology moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Molecules, Cells and Organisms
You'll study this module as the essential foundation for most other modules taught in the School of Life Sciences. You'll gain the basic knowledge you need of molecular and cellular aspects of biology, and also become familiar with whole-organism and developmental biology, in the context of evolution.
Read more about the Molecules, Cells and Organisms moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Animal and Plant Biology
Drawing on zoology and botany, on this module you'll broaden your biological knowledge to support your learning on second-year modules. By analysing and studying our current understanding of animal and plant evolution, diversity and physiological activities, you'll be able to integrate your organismal and molecular knowledge in a broad, evolutionary context. You'll also have opportunities to practise your skills in presentation and communication.
Read more about the Animal and Plant Biology moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
or
Environmental Biology
On this module, you will gain foundational knowledge in the study of the natural and managed environment and start to understand the pressures on the planet that result from anthropogenic activities. You will also look in more depth at how society responds to the challenges posed by environmental change.
Read more about the Environmental Biology moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
or
Agents of Infectious Disease
You will start by gaining a thorough foundation in microbiology and virology, using infectious diseases as a common link to promote your understanding. Through your study of epidemiology, you will learn to appreciate the way that diseases spread and the methods used to investigate this spread. On completion, you can expect to understand the role of various structures associated with the bacterial cell in causing a range of diseases, and appreciate the structure of viruses and how this relates to their capacity to cause disease and the host response to viral challenge. This will equip you with the necessary theoretical foundations to underpin your future studies.
Read more about the Agents of Infectious Disease moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Year Two
GSD
Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking. The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems, and acquaint you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of global sustainable development. The second part of the module will focus on issues that relate to policies and behavioural change, and are also applicable beyond health, for example in areas like education or technology transfer.
Read more about the Health and Sustainable Development moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
or
Goal 2 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to end hunger, end all forms of malnutrition, and ensure sustainable food production systems. However, the world population will likely increase to nearly 10 billion people by 2050. After decades of positive change, the incidence of malnourishment is again on the rise, global stocks of key food are contracting and it is currently more expensive to buy food than for most of our planet’s modern history.
This module addresses these significant challenges by encouraging students to adopt a 'food systems approach' in responding to the imperative agendas of food security, sovereignty and sustainability. The module is taught in collaboration with researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick, especially those involved in the University's Global Research Priority on Food.
Read more about the Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022/23 year of study).
or
This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies, economies, environments and politics. Starting with the question ‘Does inequality matter?’, you will critically reflect on the United Nations' decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda. You will then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work, politics, environmental justice, societal discrimination, automation and globalisation, empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems. Finally, you will appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development.
Read more about the Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Final Year
GSD
In this module you will bring together all of your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – in order to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing. This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you would like to tackle.
You will be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue, taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output. This may be a concept paper, a practical project, a film production, a long essay, an advocacy campaign...use your creativity!
You will design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation, via online publication or an article in a journal, or at a public meeting that you have arranged). This provides you with an opportunity to have your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact.
Read more about the GSD Dissertation/Long Project moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules include:
GSD modules
- Managing Natural Resources
- The Energy Trilemma
- Realising Sustainable Development
- Multilingualism and Sustainable Development
- Surviving the Apocalypse
Read more about our optional modules.Link opens in a new window
Life Sciences modules
- Genetics and Evolution
- Microbial Pathogens
- Plant Molecular Development
Co-curricular Certificates
We offer a range of unique certificates outside of the curriculum as a way of continuing your professional development.
In the first year, you can complete certificates in Climate Literacy and Professional Communication.
Explore our range of certificates.
