ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LAW (2018-19)

Código:
 D044

Créditos:
 60
 
Fecha de aprobación:
 30/07/2010

Título:
 Master (ECTS)
 
Precio:
 39,27
 1st registration credits
 

RAMA

Social and Legal Sciences

PLAN

UNIVERSITY MASTER'S DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LAW

TIPO DE ENSEÑANZA

Face-to-face

CENTROS DONDE SE IMPARTE

Faculty of Law

ESTUDIO IMPARTIDO CONJUNTAMENTE CON

Solo se imparte en esta universidad

FECHAS DE EXAMEN

Acceda al listado de fechas de examen para esta titulación.

 

PLAN DE ESTUDIOS OFERTADO EN EL CURSO 2018-19

Nodo inicial:
 

Leyenda: No ofertadaSin docencia
UNIVERSITY MASTER'S DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LAW
MATRÍCULA CONDICIONADA

 

 

AIMS


The general objectives of the Master’s degree can be summed up in the following two points:

1) To provide students with an advanced and specialised training  in environmental law which is theoretical, practical,  systematic, comprehensive, interdisciplinary and multifunctional, applicable to various legal or environmental protection professions, or research into environmental law.

2) To help students find their vocations and to train researchers in the field of environmental law, providing them with the stimuli, examples, contents and methodological tools necessary.

 

These two objectives can in turn be expanded on as follows. Students taking this Master’s degree can expect to fulfil, and we are committed to guaranteeing, the following goals:

  1. Specialised, systematic and comprehensive training in the field of environmental law. The Master’s course programme covers all the main areas of the discipline, systematically organised into four main modules: Basics; General Instruments; Protection of Environmental Elements and the Legal Framework for Pollution Factors; and Integrating the Environment into Multi-Sectoral Policies. Thus, students are given an overview of the discipline, completing their first degree education and enabling them to inter-relate all the main areas and techniques of environmental law in order to apply a systematic approach to solving real and complex problems.
  2.  Legal training that is both interdisciplinary and open to other areas of knowledge. The Master’s course covers all the areas of legal knowledge that contribute significantly to the field of environmental law. These primarily comprise areas of public law, and particularly administrative law, around which the teaching is organised, but also include international, EU, civil, criminal, financial and tax law, among others. The specialisation provided by this Master’s degree is clearly of a legal nature, but lawyers (particularly those dealing with areas such as environmental law) need to be well informed on all aspects, with an understanding of how other disciplines approach environmental problems, the capacity to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and an appreciation of what they can and should contribute. With this purpose in mind, rather than training environmental specialists in other fields, the Master’s Degree includes input from other related sciences, such as economics and ecology.
  3. Broad theoretical and practical teaching. The Master’s degree is not geared towards conferring professional status on its graduates, nor is it aimed at training members of certain specific legal professions (law practices, the judiciary or public administration). However, the broad aims of the course mean that the subjects studied will certainly be useful and rewarding not only for researchers but also for any of these professions, as well as for people working in other areas of environmental protection who work closely with the world of law (economists, biologists, environmental scientists, etc.). Of course, good specialised legal training must include both theory and practice, as no research that does not take reality into account can ever be of any value. All the subjects on the Master’s course have this double focus, with participation in seminars from legal professionals.
  4. Comparative teaching, particularly regarding Latin America. Environmental law is markedly international in its outlook, given the international magnitude of many environmental problems; in Europe it has a distinctly EC character, given the level of authority and leadership of the European Union in this field. A comparative perspective is thus particularly useful in Environmental law. From a European perspective, this approach enables an analysis of how other countries in the EU both frame and solve environmental problems using the same legal common denominator, whilst from an international perspective, it provides an understanding of how the same problems are tackled in different contexts and how joint international agreements are implemented. The Master’s course thus provides specialised teaching in Spanish environmental law, which in today’s terms is equivalent to EU law, but always from a comparative perspective, particularly with regard to environmental law in Latin American countries, which is also due to the fact that many of our students are from that part of the world.
  5. Advanced, critical and high-quality learning. The Master’s course ensures learning of the highest quality, with experienced, competent and prestigious teachers in Environmental law, not only from the University of Alicante but also from Spanish and foreign universities. This approach further guarantees that the course contents are always current, incorporating the latest issues and staff research into the teaching. In this regard, and as befits a Master’s course, the programme aims to train specialists with sharp critical and analytical skills, through classes built around participation and based on having previously provided students with materials to study, read and discuss.
  6.  Training researchers in the legal-environmental field. This Master’s course constitutes the training period for a broader doctorate programme in Environmental law.  Hence, whilst not the exclusive course aim, priority is given to training future doctorate students and researchers in the field of Environmental law, and this is the rationale behind the compulsory nature of the methodology of research module. However, this is not the only encouragement and training provided for future researchers. Fostering a research vocation and training future doctorate students are key elements of all subjects on this Master’s Degree course.  This is achieved through all the above: in the quality of the teaching staff who, renowned researchers themselves, will act as  guides and examples to students; in the methodology of the classes, based on analysis, participation, debate and critical thinking; in subject assessment methodology, based to a large extent on creative, well-researched work as an introduction to serious academic research, particularly as regards the final project; and lastly, through the example of former students on the Doctorate and Master’s programmes, who have either already obtained or are completing their doctorate, and who are frequently invited to take part in classes and present the results of their research to newer students.  
  7. Preparation and motivation for continuous learning, teamwork and a co-operative spirit. Another longstanding and continued objective of this Master’s course is to motivate students to maintain their involvement in environmental issues, which can only come about as a result of deep satisfaction in having taken this programme of study. The key to this is firstly the quality of the teaching, together with the commitment and dedication shown by the course directors and all the organisational staff involved on the Master’s programme. The second key aspect lies in the highly stimulating and attractive complementary activities available, which include organised visits and various scientific events in the Department, such as the previously mentioned National Conference on Environmental Law, and selective publication of their works in the Aranzadi Journal of Environmental Law or on the Master’s Degree course website.

 

 
 

 


MASTER’S DEGREE COURSE - CREDITS AND SUBJECT GROUPS


Type of subject

Credits

Compulsory (OB)

54

Final project (OB)

6

TOTAL CREDITS

60



DISTRIBUTION OF SUBJECTS BY YEAR/SEMESTER


FIRST SEMESTER 30 ECTS

SECOND SEMESTER 30 ECTS

SUBJECT

TYPE

ECTS

SUBJECT

TYPE

ECTS

GENERAL THEORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

OB

4,5

CONTINENTAL AND MARINE WATERS

OB

4,5

ORGANISATION AND SOURCES OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

OB

4,5

ATMOSPHERE, NOISE AND RADIATION

OB

3

ASSESSING AND MONITORING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF POLLUTION

OB

4,5

SOIL, WASTE AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

OB

3

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SYSTEMS

OB

4,5

BIODIVERSITY AND PROTECTED AREAS

OB

4,5

ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZENSHIP

OB

4,5

LAND USE PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE PROTECTION

OB

4,5

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INSTRUMENTS

OB

3

INTEGRATING THE ENVIRONMENT INTO MULTI- SECTORAL POLICIES

OB

4.5

METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH

OB

4,5

MASTER’S DEGREE FINAL PROJECT

OB

6


GENERAL COURSE PROGRAMME


The course programme consists of six modules, divided into 14 subjects.

Four of these modules reflect the scientific organisation of the Environmental Law course contents, and consist of various partial subjects. These comprise modules I (Basics), II (General Instruments), III (Protection of Environmental Elements and the Legal Framework for Pollution Factors), and IV (Integrating the Environment into Multi-Sectoral Policies).

The remaining two modules, each comprising a single subject, reflect a different approach needing no further explanation since one is a requirement common to all Master’s Degree courses (module VI. Final Project) whilst the other corresponds to our main specialisation profile (module V. Methodology of Research).

The programme proposed is a homogeneous one, with no alternative routes, specialisations or optional subjects, and all modules and subjects are compulsory.

The various modules and subjects are spread evenly across the two semesters comprising the course (30 ECTS credits per term), and follow a logical order in terms of content and activity. For reasons of content, modules I and II (Basics and General Instruments, worth 9 and 16.5 credits, respectively), which make up the General Unit on Environmental Law, are taught in the first semester. Modules III and IV (Protection of Environmental Elements and the Legal Framework for Pollution Factors, and Integrating the Environment into Multi-Sectoral Policies, worth 15 and 9 credits, respectively), which make up the Specialisation Unit, are taught in the second semester. Module VI, the Master’s Degree Final Project (6 ECTS credits), is best left until the second semester, as it requires a certain level of knowledge and ability on the part of the student, whereas module V, the Methodology of Research (4.5 ECTS credits), is taught in the first semester, so that students can first acquire the skills needed before undertaking their final project in the second semester.

 

 

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION CRITERIA 

According to the Regulations of the University of Alicante, the following requirements must be complied to have access to official taught Master’s degrees:

  1. To be in possession of a SPANISH OFFICIAL GRADUATE DEGREE CERTIFICATE or other issued by an institution of higher education  within the EHEA (European Higher Education) that enables the holder to have access  to Master’s degrees in the issuing .
  2. To be in possession of an officially approved  FOREIGN HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE CERTIFICATE that had been recognised as equal to the degree that allows access to the requested studies.
  3. To be in possession of a UNIVERSITY DEGREE CERTIFICATE obtained in a University or Higher Education Institution of COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EHEA, without the prior approval of their studies. In this case, the following should be considered:
  • Non- recognised degree certificates shall require a technical report showing an equivalence statement issued by the University of Alicante (ContinUA – Continuing Education Centre), for which the corresponding fee should be paid.
  • Access through this way does under no circumstances imply prior official approval of the holder’s degree certificate, nor its recognition for purposes other than studying a master's degree.

ADMISSION AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

 

1.- Admission Profile

To be admitted to this Master’s Degree,applicants must hold an officially recognised Degree in Law issued by an institution of higher education forming part of the European Space for Higher Education, which qualifies the holder for admittance to a Master’s Degree in the issuing country. Similarly, in accordance with article 16.2 of Royal Decree1393/2007,  a non-homolgated degree issued by a university outside the European Space for Higher Education may also be valid for admission purposes, providing the respective university verfies that the level of training is equivalent to the corresponding official Spanish university degree and that the degree qualifies its holder for admittance to postgraduate studies in the issuing country. Admission via this route does not result in the homologation or official recognition of the previous qualification held by the applicant, it only confirms that the academic title is valid for the purposes of studying the Master’s Degree .

Since the Master’s Degree is taught in Spanish, a further prerequisite for  admission is for applicants to demonstrate a command of the Spanish language to at least B1 level (threshold level), as defined in the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” (CEFR), compiled by the Council of Europe and published by the Spanish Ministry for Education in 2002.  In the case of foreign students who do not come from Spanish-speaking countries, accreditation of their level of Spanish will be by presentating  certification of Spanish courses at an equivalent level from a language school or other evidence of the required language level from within the context of their officially recognised studies. In the absence of any such documentation, applicants’ command of the Spanish language will be assessed directly through personal interviews and tests or other written examinations.

 

2.     Assessment criteria

Merit will be assessed according to the following criteria:

 

  • Criterion 1: Degree.  Applicants with a Degree in Law will receive the highest ranking and will be given preference. The ranking of other degrees will depend on their relevance to Law and environmental protection.  Maximum score: 4 points
  • Criterion 2: Academic record and specialised training in Environmental Law or environmental protection.  A scale will be applied to the entire academic record, taking into account possible differences between studies completed in different countries and applying, where indicated, the appropriate adjustment indices.  Previous studies in Environmental Law and environmental protection will also be considered.  Maximum score: 6 points.
  • Criterion 3: Research and professional experience in Environmental Law and environmental protection.  Applicants’ research experience will be assessed, as indicated by periods of study at recognised research centres and by publications related to the Master’s Degree course subject area.  Applicants’ professional experience in activities related to Environmental Law and environmental protection will also be assessed.  Maximum score: 4 points.
  • Criterion 4: Training expectations.  Applicants’ training expectations will be assessed and compared with the training objectives of the Master’s Degree course.  Maximum score: 4 points.
  • Criterion 5: Command of foreign languages and other merits. A command of those foreign languages widely used in science will be considered especially relevant.  Maximum score: 2 points.

Maximum score: 20 points.

Minimum qualifying score: 10 points

 

PRE-ENROLMENT AND ENROLMENT 

 

PRE-ENROLMENT +info

Students who intend to study for an officially recognised Master’s Degree at the UA should complete pre-enrolment in accordance with the guidelines and deadlines specified annually.

 

ENROLMENT +info

Following publication of the final list of those admitted to the course, an email containing a user password will be sent to successful applicants, enabling them to enrol via the Campus Virtual in accordance with the guidelines and deadlines specified annually.

In the registration process, the documents issued abroad must be official, duly notorised and translated. Further information:

 

NUMBER OF PLACES

 

COURSE NUMBER OF PLACES
2012-13 30
2013-14 30
2014-15 30
2015-16 30
2016-17 30
2017-18 30
2018-19 30
2019-20 30
 


Focus


Academic and research.


  Master’s degree specialisation profile


Academic and introduction to research activities.

 

 

 

 

TIMESCALE FOR IMPLEMENTATION  



1. Timescale for implementation of the Master’s Degree course

Academic year

Implementation of Master’s degree

2010-2011

1st year


The Master’s Degree in Environmental Law will be implemented in 2010-2011. In this academic year, the new Master’s degree, taught over one year and worth 60 ECTS credits, will be taught simultaneously with the Official Master’s Degree in Environmental Law and Sustainability (MELS), taught over two years and worth 72 ECTS credits.  This latter will cease to be offered from 2011-2012.


2. Procedure for equivalence recognition, where appropriate, between the current and the new course programme.

The new course programme is very similar to the previous course, but with two main differences.  Some of the subjects are now worth fewer credits, particularly the Master’s Degree final project, which was previously worth 12 ECTS credits but will now be worth 6. Furthermore, the two optional routes (which extended into the Master’s final project) are no longer available, as a result of which the subject “methodology of research” becomes compulsory.

The high levels of flexibility and efficiency of the current Official Master’s Degree in Environmental Law and Sustainability (MELS) will undoubtedly minimise any problems in adapting to the new course. However, it is necessary to consider all possible outcomes, and thus it should be stressed that that the two programmes will run simultaneously in 2010-2011, and that as of 2011-2012, the former programme will no longer be available.

A) Academic Year 2010-2011

For this academic year, the normal situation will be for MELS students to have passed the 60 credits from their first year (2008-2009) and be beginning the second, with the aim of obtaining the remaining 12 credits corresponding to the Master’s Degree final project. However, there may also be students in this year or from previous years who have yet to successfully complete some other subject in addition to their final project, though such cases will be rare.

In both cases (and in order to simplify matters to students’ advantage), the same solution is proposed: students will be given the option of either completing their studies in accordance with the MELS programme, or of adapting their studies to the new Master’s, using the credit equivalence table as shown below. Logically, in this second case, and in the normal situation,  students who have taken the MELS optional route 1 (practical) will need to complete not only the final project but also the “methodology of research” subject in order to ensure credit equivalence between courses.

B) As of 2011-2012

As the MELS programme will no longer available from 2011-2012, the first option mentioned above also disappears. Thus, MELS students who wish to continue their studies will need to adapt their studies to the new Master’s, using the credit equivalence table as shown below.


CREDIT EQUIVALENCE


MToD ToS


Núm. Of credits

MToS TER IN  D AndRAndCHOr AMIENTAL


Núm. Of credits

General theory of environmental law and the basis of sustainable development

4,5

General theory of environmental law

4,5

National, regional and international environmental and sustainability policies

4,5

Organisation and sources of environmental law

4,5

Assessing and monitoring the environmental impact of pollution

4,5

Assessing and monitoring the environmental impact of pollution

4,5

Environmental responsibility systems

4,5

Environmental responsibility systems

4,5

Environmental citizenship

4,5

Environmental citizenship

4,5

Economic and social instruments

4,5

Economic and social instruments

3

Continental and marine waters

4,5

Continental and marine waters

4,5

Atmosphere, noise and radiation

4,5

Atmosphere, noise and radiation

3

Soil, waste and hazardous substances

4,5

Soil, waste and hazardous substances

3

Biodiversity and protected areas

4,5

Biodiversity and protected areas

4,5

Land use planning and housing

4,5

Land use planning and landscape protection

4,5

Integrating the environment into multi-sectoral policies

4,5

Integrating the environment into multi-sectoral policies

4,5

Administrative and legal practice and business management

6

----------


Methodology of research and history of environmental institutions

6

Methodology of research

4.5

Master’s Final project

for optional route 1 and

Master’s Final project for optional route 2

12

Master’s Final project

6


3. Studies being phased out and replaced by the proposed degree course:

With the implementation of the “Master’s Degree in Environmental Law”, the Official Master’s Degree in Environmental Law and Sustainability (MELS) from the University of Alicante, implemented in 2006-2007 under the auspices of Royal Decree 56/2005 of 21 January, will be discontinued.

 
 
 

 

Information about the Centre General information for students
  •  Faculty of Law

   Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig
   Ctra. de Alicante s/n 03690
  San Vicente del Raspeig (Alicante)
  Telephone:+ 34
96 590 3573
  Fax:+ 34 96 590 9896
  facu.dret@ua.es 
  http://derecho.ua.es/en/



  • Life Long Learning Centre (ContinUA)
Only for pre-enrolment formalities
Germán Bernácer Building. Ground Floor
Telephone: + 34 96 590 9422
Fax: + 34 96 590 9442
continua@ua.es

https://web.ua.es/en/continua/

 

UA: General Regulations
 + Information about qualifications