Earth Systems

Earth Systems


General study-units

Sustainability, society and change
PG
Unit explores discourses of sustainability in depth, including evolution of the concept, ambiguities in terminology and definitions, the wide spectrum of sustainable philosophies and practices, guiding principles and relevant operational challenges, and sustainability metrics, amongst others.
An Introduction to Earth Systems
PG
Part of the unit addresses contemporary sustainability challenges affecting selected environmental issues with respect to the various spheres: Hydrosphere, Lithospshere etc.
Biodiversity conservation 2: applied science for management
PG
Unit explores relevant theory and practical dimensions of biodiversity conservation and management, also focusing on contemporary challenges including strategies for establishing conservation priorities.
Regenerative agriculture and food systems 2: small scale and urban contexts
PG
Unit explores relevant approaches for rendering agricultural production more sustainable, focusing on challenges particularly pertinent to small-scale and urbanised enviroments.
Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Industrial Systems 2: Development and Assessment Techniques
PG
Unit covers relevant concepts and tools for sustainable industrial systems, including Life Cycle Assessment, Design for Environment, and Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing.
Sources and Sinks: Energy, Water and Air 2: Modelling and Monitoring
PG
Unit addresses various aspects related to the management of air, water and energy systems, with a focus on their dual role as environmental resources and pollution sinks.

Environmental Management & Planning

Human-nature Systems
UG
Unit reviews the evolution of human-nature relationships and the different facets of sustainability challenges at different points in this history; also introduces different disciplinary perspectives on how to address contemporary sustainability challenges.
The Mediterranean Basin
UG
Part of the unit addresses contemporary sustainability challenges affecting the Mediterranean Basin.
Concepts of Sustainability
UG
Unit provides an introduction to concepts of sustainability, including relevant historical developments, general principles of sustainability, and non-western perspectives on sustainability. The unit also addresses specific aspects in depth e.g. sustainable conservation and participatory processes.
Environmental Governance
UG
Unit covers key governance instruments relevant to sustainability, with a specific focus on selected EU Directives
Ecosystem management for biodiversity conservation
UG
Unit introduces biodiversity conservation within the framework of ecosystem management, addressing the crucial role of biodiversity for sustainability and introducing relevant management tools.
Project Management
UG
Unit addresses project management techniques, with a focus on key aspects relevant to sustainability (e.g. conservation, education, water and waste management, etc.).
Environmental pollution
UG
Unit focusses on the current challenges related to the contamination and/or pollution of soil, seawater and the atmosphere.
Corporate Environmental Management
UG
Unit introduces tools for sustainability in the private sector, with a specific focus on Environmental Management Systems, relevant ISO standards, and Corporate Social Responsibility, amongst other topics.
Environmental Impact Assessment
UG
Unit outlines the process of Environmental Impact Assessment, which is a critical sustainability tool and has been explicitly recognised as such in several global sustainability initiatives.
Water management and hydrology
UG
Unit explores sustainable water resources management, focusing on surface and groundwater hydrology, irrigation practices, and governance frameworks within the context of semi-arid coastal environments.
Water Management
UG
Unit explores sustainable water resources management, focusing on surface and groundwater hydrology, irrigation practices, and governance frameworks within the context of semi-arid coastal environments.
Climate change
UG
Unit addresses various aspects of climate change, itself a key sustainability challenge of our time and one that impacts on various other facets of sustainability.
Waste management and treatment
UG
Unit introduces principles of solid waste management and the waste management hierarchy, covering circular economy models, material flow analysis, and various treatment and disposal technologies.
Waste management
UG
Unit introduces principles of solid waste management and the waste management hierarchy, covering circular economy models, material flow analysis, and various treatment and disposal technologies.
Geopolitics of natural resources
UG
Unit addresses geopolitical dimensions of resource management challenges, with a focus on specific aspects relevant to sustainability (e.g. energy, critical minerals, food, water) and on the political dimension of global sustainability negotiations.
Environmental Impact Assessment
PG
Unit addresses practical and theoretical challenges in the process of Environmental Impact Assessment, focusing on both persistent and emerging challenges.
Environmental noise monitoring and assessment
PG
Unit explores tools and techniques for measuring and mitigating noise pollution.
Soil and land monitoring: pollution and remediation
PG
Unit explores tools and techniques for addressing soil and land contamination to contribute to sustainable soil systems.
Air quality monitoring and assessment
PG
Unit explores tools and techniques for air quality monitoring and assessment to contribute to sustainable air quality management.
Water monitoring and assessment
PG
Unit explores tools and techniques for water quality monitoring and assessment to contribute to sustainable use of water resources.
Habitat and species monitoring
PG
Unit explores tools and techniques for habitat and species monitoring to contribute to biodiversity conservation.

Rural Sciences & Food Systems

EU Policy and Rural Affairs
UG
Examines EU agricultural and rural policies that promote sustainable farming, environmental protection, and balanced rural development.
Introduction to the Mediterranean Food and Agro-Ecosystems
UG
Examines Mediterranean agro-ecosystems with emphasis on resilience, resource constraints, and sustainable food production.
Principles of Farm Management
UG
Introduces management principles that integrate economic viability with environmentally and socially sustainable farm operations.
Crop Production Systems
UG
Addresses sustainable crop production strategies that improve resource efficiency, resilience, and environmental performance.
Livestock Production Systems
UG
Explores livestock systems with emphasis on sustainable resource use, animal welfare, and reduced environmental impacts.
Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
UG
Focuses on maintaining soil health and optimising nutrient use to support long-term agricultural sustainability and reduce environmental impacts.
Agricultural Project
UG
Applies sustainability principles in a practical project addressing real-world agricultural or rural challenges.
Good Agricultural Practice
UG
Promotes standards and practices that ensure environmentally sound, socially responsible, and economically viable agricultural production.
Field Crop Production
UG
Focuses on sustainable field crop systems that balance productivity with soil conservation and resource efficiency.
Horticultural Crops
UG
Focuses on sustainable cultivation and management of horticultural crops to optimise yields while conserving resources.
Crop Pests and Diseases
UG
Promotes integrated and sustainable pest and disease management approaches that minimise environmental harm.
Systematics, Conservation and Ethnobotany
UG
Integrates plant systematics and ethnobotany to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of plant resources.
Phytochemistry: Production, Processing and Standardisation
UG
Explores sustainable production and processing of plant-derived compounds with quality and environmental considerations.
Herb Utilisation
UG
Examines sustainable harvesting, processing, and utilisation of herbs to support environmental and economic sustainability.
Ruminant Production
UG
Focuses on sustainable ruminant farming systems, including efficient feed use, animal welfare, and environmental management.
Non-Ruminant Production
UG
Addresses sustainable production practices for non-ruminant livestock with reduced resource inputs and emissions.
Poultry Production
UG
Examines poultry systems that balance productivity, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
Food Technology
UG
Examines food processing and preservation technologies with attention to sustainability, food safety, and resource efficiency.
Independent Studies in Agricultural Sciences
UG
Enables independent investigation of agricultural issues with direct relevance to sustainability challenges.
Agro-System Modelling
UG
Applies modelling tools to analyse and improve the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural systems.
Strategies and Methods of Plant Protection
UG
Promotes integrated and sustainable plant protection approaches that minimise environmental and health risks.
Environmental Stewardship
UG
Focuses explicitly on responsible environmental management and conservation within agricultural systems.
Agricultural Systematics
UG
Provides knowledge of organism classification and biodiversity, supporting conservation efforts and sustainable management of agricultural ecosystems.
Principles of Agricultural Chemistry
UG
Introduces chemical principles that underpin the sustainable use of fertilisers and agrochemicals while reducing environmental pollution.
Agricultural Biochemistry
UG
Examines biochemical processes that inform sustainable nutrient use, productivity, and resilience in agricultural systems.
Laboratory Techniques in Agricultural Chemistry
UG
Builds analytical skills for monitoring soil, water, and agricultural inputs, enabling evidence-based sustainable resource management.
Extension Service and Rural Society
UG
Explores the role of extension services in encouraging adoption of sustainable practices and supporting rural community development.
Anatomy and Physiology of Crops
UG
Enhances understanding of crop function to optimise resource efficiency and support sustainable crop production.
Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals
UG
Supports sustainable livestock management through improved understanding of animal health, productivity, and welfare.
Chemistry for the Rural Sciences
UG
Provides chemical foundations relevant to sustainable soil management, water quality, and agricultural inputs.
Rural and Environmental Economics
UG
Analyses economic frameworks that support sustainable resource use and rural development decision-making.
Rural Management
UG
Addresses managerial approaches that balance economic viability, environmental protection, and social sustainability in rural enterprises.
Soil and Water Resources
UG
Focuses on sustainable management of soil and water resources critical to long-term agricultural productivity.
Biotechnology for Rural Sciences
UG
Explores biotechnological applications that can enhance sustainability, productivity, and resilience in rural systems.
Plant Propagation Techniques
UG
Addresses sustainable propagation methods that support crop improvement and efficient use of plant resources.
Animal Nutrition
UG
Examines sustainable feeding strategies that improve efficiency, animal health, and reduce environmental impacts.
Introduction to Food Science
UG
Introduces food processing and quality concepts with implications for sustainable food systems and food security.
Introduction to Field Crop Production
UG
Introduces sustainable field crop production practices that enhance soil health, productivity, and resilience.
Livestock Housing and Management
UG
Addresses sustainable housing and management systems that improve animal welfare and reduce environmental impacts.
Soil and Water Management
UG
Examines integrated soil and water management practices that promote environmental sustainability and resilience.
Rural Science in Industry
UG
Links academic knowledge with industry practice to support innovation and sustainability in rural sectors.
Agricultural Trade Policies and Legislation in the Mediterranean Food Systems
UG
Examines trade and regulatory frameworks influencing sustainability in Mediterranean agriculture and food systems.
Marketing in Agriculture
UG
Examines marketing strategies that support economically sustainable and resilient agricultural enterprises.
Herb Science and Natural Products
UG
Explores sustainable production and utilisation of herbs and natural products within environmental and economic contexts.
Mediterranean Genetic Resources
UG
Addresses conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources adapted to Mediterranean environments.
Aquaculture Management
UG
Focuses on sustainable aquaculture practices that balance production, ecosystem health, and resource use.
Soil and Water for Rural Sciences
PG
Focuses on the sustainable management of soil and water resources to support resilient agricultural and rural systems.
Crop Management and Health
PG
Addresses sustainable crop management practices that enhance plant health, productivity, and environmental protection.
Animal Husbandry and Health
PG
Examines husbandry practices that promote animal health, welfare, and environmentally sustainable livestock production.

https://www.um.edu.mt/about/sustainability/research/study-units/earthsystems/