Abstract:

This contribution summarises the adaptation of a subject in Environmental Modelling and Simulation to the European higher education area for a new grade, which requires different new activities.

The new subject of Environmental Modelling and Simulation is a compulsory subject in the first quarter of the third course in the degree in Environmental Sciences established at the Faculty of Science of the University of Vigo (Spain) during 2010/2011. The degree has a multidisciplinary character as it is intended that future graduates achieve full training to enable them to solve environmental problems with different approaches. It has a workload for students between 150 and 180 hours (6 ECTS credits) divided into tutorials, seminars, hours of work and study, exams, etc…

The degree in Environmental Sciences presents various subjects with a strong multidisciplinary content. In particular, the design of this subject must ensure that students learn more quickly and efficiently the basic mathematical background and conceptual schemes of modelling and they must assimilate key skills in programming languages to perform didactic simulations. The teaching procedure must include the participation of the students to increase their ability to reason logically, their teamwork and oral skills communication.

Keywords:

Environmental Sciences, higher education area, new grade.