In 2015, 194 United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, identifying 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an urgent call to action to protect the planet and improve the lives of all people. The 17 SDGs encompass the need to provide all citizens of the world with a sustainable planet and everyday necessities with a deadline of 2030.
SDG subjects and courses
In 2019, UOW signed the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Higher Education Commitment, joining an innovative group of Australian and New Zealand Universities. UOW is actively working towards incorporating these vital Global Goals into our educational offerings. This will ensure that our students are well informed global citizens that can continue to contribute to realising sustainable development throughout their studies and careers by being proactive, responsible and educated in relation to how realising the Global Goals will better the world.
In Autumn session 2021, first year subjects related directly to the Sustainable Development Goals will be highlighted. In coming sessions UOW will be increasing the suite of subjects to include those relevant to coursework and research students at a range of levels.
If you have questions or would like to know more about this initiative please contact the Future Education team at uow-future-education@uow.edu.au
This report showcases current teaching subjects within the School of Geography and Sustainable Communities and their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). All subjects align with multiple SDGs and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to local and global sustainability. This report identifies the core SDGs within each subject showcased. The research subjects included in this report cover 15 of the 17 SDGs.
Subjects for the Sustainable Development Goals
- COMM101 - Principles of Responsible Business
- BIOL103 - Molecules, Cells and Organisms
- BIOL104 - Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment
- EESC101 - Planet Earth
- EESC331 - Changing Global Environments
- ENGG105 - Engineering Design for Sustainability
- GEOG123 - Indigenous Geographies: Questioning Country
- HAS130 - Social Determinants of Health
- MAJ41925 - Environmental Humanities
- MEDI150 - Fundamental Concepts in Food and Nutrition
- MEDI151 - Healthy Ageing
- MEDI231 - Measurement of Diet and Health Promotion
- MEDI355 - Nutrition and Food Innovation
- MEDI363 - Community and Public Health Nutrition
- MEDI955 - Nutrition and Food Innovation
- MEDI963 - Community and Public Health Nutrition
- MIN1296 - Science and Technology Studies
- SCIE103 - Climate Change
- SOC356 - Cultures of Dispossession
- SNUG307 - Capstone
- STS216 - Environmental Sustainability, Risk and Governance
- STS302 - Climate Change Policy, Possible Futures
Subject description
The subject explores responsible and ethical business in contemporary organisations as they relate to business practice and sustainable development. It provides students with theoretical and philosophical understandings of ethics to critically evaluate individual and organisational responses to sustainable development in organisational decision-making. The topics covered will include a focus on ethical and social responsibility in business. Key challenges addressed include the environment and climate change, human rights, bribery prevention and governance, sustainable development, globalisation and technology. Students will examine these challenges in contemporary organisational contexts from a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
Degrees
Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
Subject description
This subject provides an introduction to the topic areas of cell biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics, microbiology and immunology. During this subject you will look closely at the links between structure and function in cells and important biological molecules whilst investigating cellular division and mechanisms to control the cell cycle and prevent cancer. You will hear about techniques in genetic engineering and break throughs in biotechnology. You will learn about different microorganisms and their role in human, animal and/or plant health and explore the physiology of the immune system. Through engagement in group research projects you will develop skills in effective research and communication, teamwork, self-reflection and peer assessment whilst developing your digital literacy skills in presenting your research through PowerPoint (or similar tools) and generation of an electronic Portfolio. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
All 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
General Schedule of electives, Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours), Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Exercise Science, Bachelor of Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, Bachelor of Marine Science, Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences, Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours), Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours), Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours), Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Nutrition Science, Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health, Bachelor of Science
Subject description
This subject aims to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to whole organism biology, from species to populations, communities and ecosystems. Specifically, the subject explores the identity, anatomical and life-history characteristics of the main groups of organisms, their patterns of diversity across Earth, the processes of evolution and speciation, ecology and conservation biology. In addition, through a series of practical classes, the subject equips students with an understanding of the scientific process, ways in which experiments are designed and implemented, the processes of data collection and analysis and hypothesis testing. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Science
Subject description
The science of how the solid Earth works is essential to overcome great challenges presently facing our society: monitoring and mitigating climate change, protecting the natural environment and sustainably resourcing our future. This subject provides an introduction to Earth science by considering topics related to the solid Earth: deep time, our place in space, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, crystal growth, groundwater, palaeoenvironments, volcanic eruptions and magmatic plumbing systems, earthquakes, mountain building, mass extinctions, critical minerals required for a low-carbon future, landscape evolution, and archaeology. This subject consists of two parts. In the first half of this subject you will learn to ‘read’ minerals and rocks to understand the evolution of landscapes, unravelling thousands to billions of years of Earth’s history. In the second half of this subject you will apply this knowledge to conduct your own fieldwork, creating a map and technical field report to discover what the Illawarra region looked like millions of years ago. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Degrees
Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Marine Science, Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Science
Subject description
This subject will examine the drivers, feedbacks and responses to global change over the past c. 2 million years. It will examine major drivers of global climate change/variability and feedbacks between these drivers and other components of Earth’s systems (e.g. climatic/atmospheric, oceanic hydrologic and biologic). It will also examine recent changes to Earth’s systems and put them in context on long term variability. In addition, the subject will examine the methods by which past climates/earth surface processes reconstructed and in doing so will identify key knowledge and data gaps. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Marine Science, Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Science
Subject description
In this subject, students will draw together engineering principles covered in other subjects to develop context-appropriate solutions to engineering challenges. Students will work in teams undertaking investigation, concept development, and detailed design that demonstrates innovative and creative thinking. Students must consider the technical, social, economic and environmental aspects of a design problem to produce solutions that are likely to be workable in the real world. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Degrees
Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Public Health
Subject description
'Indigenous Geographies' focuses on the geographic perspectives of Indigenous belonging, reconciliation politics, Indigenous land, and environmental claims and disputes. Content is framed around social and ecological change, introducing students to appropriate ethical, cultural and research skills to respond to social inequities and environmental challenges. The primary focus is Australia, with an overview of the international context. The subject includes colonial history in relation to land, legal and policy processes, and the cultural dimensions of Indigenous relationships to land and environment in urban, regional and remote contexts. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Degrees
Bachelor of Primary Education
Subject description
In this subject, we will explore health within a social context to gain an understanding of how the conditions in which people live, work and age shape their health and well-being. The course will provide an introduction to key theoretical and methodological concepts that underpin the conceptualisation of health as a social concept. We will also explore some of the important insights and challenges arising from the social determinants approach. Throughout the subject, examples will explore health inequalities as experienced by some of the most vulnerable and marginalised populations and groups, with an emphasis on Indigenous experiences from Australia and internationally. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Degrees
Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Public Health
Subject description
A major in Environmental Humanities equips students with the tools to analyse, critique and engage with contemporary debates about the environment. Students acquire a deep and critical understanding of the social contexts through which we experience environmental issues and problems such as climate change, species loss, adaptation, exploitation and natural disasters. They gain a clear understanding of the role of cultural forces (histories, narratives, cultural values and ethics) that influence and shape relationships to the environment. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts
Subject description
This subject incorporates an overview of fundamental concepts in food and nutrition, as they relate to human health. This subject introduces students to the role of nutrition for health, including key components which may constitute a healthy diet, as well as methods to evaluate dietary intakes. Students will discuss the role of factors which may influence intake including interaction of biological, lifestyle and sociocultural aspects of human behaviour; changes in the nature of the food system; role of government and professional groups; and consumer interest. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Common core: Bachelor of Exercise Science, Bachelor of Exercise Science & Rehab, Bachelor of Pre-medicine, Science & Health, Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics, Bachelor of Nutrition.
Elective: Bachelor of Medical & Health Sciences
Subject description
This subject examines fundamental principles of human movement, considers nutritional demands and exercise responses to encourage a healthy lifestyle and highlights common issues and chronic conditions that can compromise health throughout the lifespan. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of the Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours), Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Exercise Science, Bachelor of Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences, Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours), Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Nutrition Science, Bachelor of Science.
Subject description
Health Promotion is the process of enabling people to take control of and improve their health through behaviour change. This subject introduces students to the concept of health promotion, including existing theories and models, and demonstrates how these can be applied in particular settings (e.g. health services, work sites, schools and communities). Health promotion programs that target dietary change (ie. nutrition promotion) require measurement of dietary intake, for both planning and evaluation thereof. This subject examines the various methods used to measure dietary intake in populations and healthy individuals, as well as how to assess these measurements against national and international standards, for the purpose of developing appropriate health promotion strategies. Topics covered include validity and reliability of different dietary assessment methods and the use of different food composition databases for nutrient analyses, as well as the analysis of body composition and estimation of energy requirements, and interpretation of national survey data for monitoring and surveillance of the nutritional status of populations. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours), Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Nutrition Science
Subject description
This subject introduces students to innovation frameworks, relevant to contemporary Australian food systems, which aim to achieve a health outcome. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate specific case studies of product innovation, involving stakeholders across academia and food industry, to provide an understanding of the food product innovation process. Scientific principles will be applied to promote understanding of functional foods, nutrigenomics and genetic modification, issues concerning trends for new food delivery systems such as ready to eat meals, related food safety concerns, and the use of risk assessment frameworks in food regulation. The subject has particular emphasis on providing knowledge of how nutrition and sustainability act as drivers for health based food innovation. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
.
.
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours), Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Nutrition Science
Subject description
This subject covers the key areas of community and public health nutrition, including food and nutrition monitoring and surveillance, food and nutrition systems; food and nutrition policy; program planning, development and evaluation; and principles of nutrition promotion. Issues related to advocacy for policies and programs to address public health nutrition priorities will be introduced. Current issues in Public Health Nutrition in Australia and elsewhere will be reviewed. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours), Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), Bachelor of Nutrition Science
Subject description
This subject introduces students to innovation frameworks, relevant to contemporary Australian food systems, which aim to achieve a health outcome. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate specific case studies of product innovation, involving stakeholders across academia and food industry, to provide an understanding of the food product innovation process. Scientific principles will be applied to promote understanding of functional foods, nutrigenomics and genetic modification, issues concerning trends for new food delivery systems such as ready to eat meals, related food safety concerns, and the use of risk assessment frameworks in food regulation. The subject has particular emphasis on providing knowledge of how nutrition and sustainability act as drivers for health based food innovation. As a 900 level subject, students will also be provided with an opportunity to provide critical analysis of the impact/s of product development on different points along the Australian food supply chain. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
Subject description
This subject covers the key areas of community and public health nutrition, including food and nutrition monitoring and surveillance, food and nutrition systems; food and nutrition policy; program planning, development and evaluation; and principles of nutrition promotion. Issues related to advocacy for policies and programs to address public health nutrition priorities will be introduce. Current issues in Public Health Nutrition in Australia and elsewhere will be reviewed. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Graduate Certificiate in Nutrition, Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
Subject description
Should we cycle to uni instead of driving because of climate change? Why are some people concerned about the health risks of mobile phones whilst others see them as a safe and essential way of communicating? What are the issues with using genetic testing to select for particular traits in future children? Science and Technology Studies (STS) provides you with the tools to answer some of these questions and many more. In STS you can study everything from Galileo's conflict with the Church over his sun-centred theory of the cosmos to international law relating to biotechnology regulation and policy responses to climate change. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Subject description
This subject examines the complex topic of climate change. It explores the basis for current and potential future climate change within the context of the historical and pre-historical records of climate change. The principal drivers (forcing functions) of climate change and their responses are examined critically. After surveying some fundamental concepts in climate science and the Earth’s climate system today, the subject briefly reviews ‘deep time’ perspectives of climate change to assess the magnitude of responses to climate change in Earth surface environments. It is shown that subtle changes in temperature can have profound environmental responses. The ramifications of climate change are also discussed in terms of physical landscape responses and the human dimension of climate change as shown by archaeological records. The role of the four main ‘greenhouse gases’, water vapor, carbon dioxide methane and nitrous oxide are examined in the context of anthropogenically-enhanced greenhouse warming. The major sources and sinks of these gases are described. Past interactions between CO2 and climate, and how projections of future change are developed are also considered. Global warming may induce a variety environmental changes that will confront future societies such as the impacts of sea-level rise and coastal landscape change, general climate state, agriculture and food security. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours), Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar)
Subject description
Cultures of Dispossession explores the emergence and implications of economic and political integration and rationalisation. It investigates the internal logic and social consequences of dominant forms of governance and organisation, such as bureaucratic administration and the monetisation of social and material exchange. Through a range of case studies, the subject addresses topics such as concentration of wealth and the nature of finance capital, the economic origins and implications of climate change, and the management of state borders. The subject also explores movements, perspectives and practices that critique and counter these structural problems, such as mutual aid, just transition, and food sovereignty. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
TBD
Degrees
TBD
Subject description
This capstone subject will provide students with an opportunity to consolidate their knowledge, skills and attributes required for safe, competent practice as beginning registered nurses. Students will explore global issues in healthcare and how they can impact local change as registered nurses. Students will propose and complete a capstone learning project through which they demonstrate their abilities to integrate, analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge and skills relevant to their professional interests. The project will focus on a relevant scholarly, professional or practice issue \that impacts their local community utilising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework. Students will complete a critical reflection of the work undertaken during their degree that includes their state of readiness to undertake the role of a registered nurse within the workplace and how they may impact local and global challenges within this role. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
All 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Faculty
Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Degrees
Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing (Conversion)
Subject description
Making sound public policy decisions about environmental issues increasingly involves the need to weigh up conflicting scientific and technical advice and competing political visions. Students will explore a variety of models of policy-making and forms of sociological analysis which consider ways of resolving such conflicts. The contested meanings of concepts such as sustainability, economic growth, environmental limits, human wellbeing, democracy and scientific truth will be considered, as well as the roles played by the media, governments, technical professionals, commercial interests and a variety of different ‘publics’ in shaping environmental outcomes. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Subject description
This subject explores the scientific, technical, political, economic and cultural factors shaping current debates concerning climate change science and policy. It examines the national and international contexts for greenhouse gas emission reductions, the relative importance of economic instruments versus direct regulatory measures in the efforts of nation states to meet their international obligations, and the role of policy development and technological change in decarbonising different economic sectors and encouraging behaviour change. In the process, the subject explores questions of equity, sustainability, power and justice. Students work individually and in teams to critically analyse the potential of existing political ideologies, policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. Find out more.
This subject is working towards:
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities