Course

Published 18.12.2025

(Updated 8.6.2026)

University of Helsinki

Biodiversity.now A

2 cr

Advanced studies

The course consists of five modules and a pre-course part: Biodiversity crises and the concept of biodiversity, Threats to biodiversity, Protecting biodiversity, and Topical discussions and questions in the field of biodiversity. A diverse group of experts in various fields coming from across Europe highlight the key issues of relevance. The focus is on encouraging learners to think about biodiversity from their field perspectives and personal interests.

Each module contains short presentations, obligatory and optional reading material and H5P-tasks. The course material can be studied without formal completion of the course.

Additional information and registration

Price and registration period: Check on the university's website

Go to the institution's website(Opens in a new tab)

Additional information:

Fields

Agriculture and forestry

Scope

2 cr

Code

FAF-101A

After completing the course the student is able to

recognize reasons for the ongoing biodiversity crisis and its consequences to the human society and personal life
explore own connection to nature and diverse values one assigns to it
recognize a variety of approaches and tools to maintain and enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainable use of biodiversity
apply expertise from own field of studies or work and learn how to be part of the solution to the biodiversity crisis

Completion method

Participation in teaching (online course): passing the quizzes in their order, as well as completing all H5P-tasks and discussion forum tasks.
The course can be completed entirely by distance learning

Assessment practices and criteria

Based on the completion of all tasks.

Learning activities and methods

Independent online studying 54 hours includes videos, reading materials, exercises and tests

Target groups

The course is open to everyone interested in the subject: open to students in all Master's Programmes, non-degree students, open university students, exchange students

Teaching period when the course will be offered

Any periods. The course is an online course that can be taken independently according to your own schedule between 1.8. - 31.7.

Recommended time or stage of studies for completion

1^st or 2^nd year of Master's studies or 3^rdyear of Bachelor's studies

Study modules

Optional in Other studies.

Expiry of studies

10 years

Language of learning

English

EQF level

Master's/EQF level 7

Additional information

The course is part of Sustainability Studies Network(Opens in a new tab), Biodiversity Education Network(Opens in a new tab), Climate University(Opens in a new tab) and Una Europa(Opens in a new tab).

Organiser

University of Helsinki

Contact details

uni-help@helsinki.fi

Information and features