Join our postgraduate students on a CAT teaching week for an exploration of the essential services ecosystems provide human society, how we use these services, and what this means if we want to create a more sustainable society in the face of a changing climate. 

Through a series of lectures, discussions, and practical activities you will learn alongside our postgraduate students on our MSc courses in Sustainability and Ecology and Sustainable Food and Natural Resources. 

You will experience what it might be like to study on one of our postgraduate courses at CAT and gain a better understanding the key roles played by ecosystems in provision of essential tangible and intangible services to human society, the impacts human society, and what this means for planning response to the climate and biodiversity emergency. 

Key Information 

• Duration: five days 
• Upcoming dates: Monday 10 – Friday 14 March 
• Start and finish times: starts at 10am and ends at 3pm on the last day 
• Fees: £700 
• Includes: tuition, all materials, lunch (accommodation can be booked separately)  
• What to bring: good boots and waterproof clothing is advised 
• Terms and Conditions: 
• You must be 18 years or over to attend our courses. 
• For full list of terms and conditions click here 

Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for joining the course at the end of the week. If attendees wish to enrol on a postgraduate course at CAT and take the module within their future course, they will be able to receive a discount on tuition costs. 

Who is this course aimed at?  

This week is aimed at people who wish to have a taster of studying at postgraduate level at CAT, with an interest in our relationship with the natural world and sustainable management of natural resources. 

What you will learn 

During this short course participants will develop an understanding of the ecological and biodiversity foundations of ecosystem functioning, the impacts of society on ecosystems, and the effect this has on the ability of ecosystems to support many of the services we rely on. 

Topics covered includes: 

• Ecosystem processes and services 
• Global climate and resource regulation 
• Land use and sustainable agriculture 
• Contaminated land 
• Water security 
• Sustainable waste and sanitation management 
• Floodplain strategies and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). 
• Resource production 

All these topics will be considered within the context of sustainability and climate change mitigation and adaptation planning. 

How will I learn 

Through pre-reading and some pre-recorded introductory lectures, live in person lectures, discussions, group activities and practical activities at CAT and on field trips.   

This short course is part of the teaching week for the MSc module Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services. 

Please be aware there may be some activities and content during the week only available to students, where an activity isn’t appropriate for the short course attendee, we will endeavour to arrange a replacement activity.