Environmental Challenges Facing Danube River

The virtual mobility component of the program consists of a pre-field online course and a post-field online course. The pre-field online introductory lectures will prepare students for the one-week field research activity. Before traveling they will be familiarized with the research site, sampling strategies, methodologies, and various measured parameters: physical – pH, conductivity, oxygen, temperature; chemical: N species (total – organic, inorganic), organic C (organic matter); metals; biological: invasive plant species, zoobenthos, microbial communities, pathogens; geomorphology, landscape, and soil evolution; GIS in field mapping. The post-field online courses of the program will support students to engage in the preparation and communication of their multidisciplinary research results using their own data on environmental problems facing the Danube River basin and its Delta and propose solutions for the stakeholders. The virtual component of the program will include 14 sessions, 1 session of 4 hours per week, are underdevelopment and will be provided in due course. The programme is an evidence-based student-centred approach aiming to engage students in research experiences focused on environmental challenges facing the Danube River basin and its Delta.

Application Deadline

Virtual Part starting date 2023-09-04

Virtual Part closing date 2023-12-15

Total student workload 160

Specific field of studies No entry requirements. This course is addressed to students with a background in natural sciences, as well as in humanities and social sciences applied to environmental research.

Pre-requisite for selection CV Motivation Letter

Academic pre-requisites for applicants Students are required to have a working comprehension of English to follow the lectures, and to be able to communicate both orally and in the written form. Students also must have an interest in field research which can consist of long days and team work. No discipline entry requirements. This course is addressed to students with a background in natural sciences, as well as in humanities and social sciences applied to environmental research.

Physical Part starting date 2023-09-18

Physical Part Description During the 5-days physical mobility component the students will interact and carry out activities that will increase their engagement. These experience-based activities will include travel to research sites along the Danube River basin, collaborative work together with researchers, that will enable them to reflect and advocate on environmental sustainability problems. The physical component of the program will take place at Sf Gheorghe Marine and Fluvial Research Station (SCMF), University of Bucharest (https://unibuc.ro/cercetare/infrastructura/platforme-de-cercetare/statiunea-de-cercetari-de-la-sfantu-gheorghe/?lang=en). Lectures, guided tours, meetings discussions with local communities will support students to learn about the different factors (political, environmental, social, economic) impacting the Danube River basin.

Physical Part closing date 2023-09-22

Language level required B1

Field of studies related to the course Social Science and Humanities Engineering and Technology Environment and Agriculture Law Natural Sciences and Mathematics Environmental Sciences Urbanism and Geography

Course location Sfântu Gheorghe Village (Tulcea), Romania Sfântu Gheorghe Marine and Fluvial Research Station https://unibuc.ro/cercetare/infrastructura/platforme-de-cercetare/statiunea-de-cercetari-de-la-sfantu-gheorghe/?lang=en

Course language English