Course syllabus for Global chemical sustainability

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-08 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameGlobal kemisk hållbarhet
  • CodeKBT140
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPISC
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyEnergy and Environmental Systems and Technology, Chemical Engineering
  • ThemeEnvironment 7.5 c
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 25123
  • Maximum participants60 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0107 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic university-level knowledge in environmental chemistry or environmental science is expected but not required.

Aim

This course aims to help engineering students further develop the ability to identify sustainability challenges with regard to technology and industry and envision and develop paths towards more sustainable options.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)


Discuss the role of industry and technology in the Anthropocene and in the context of sustainable development

Identify sustainability challenges related to industry and technology and describe sustainability challenges related to process industry and chemicals

Describe the field of industrial ecology and apply some of its concepts and tools, and discuss strengths and limitations of these in various contexts

Identify needs for change with regard to industry and technology and envision and evaluate solutions and pathways to more sustainable options

Content

This course utilizes concepts and tools from industrial ecology to explore industry and technology in a sustainable development discourse. It is directed to master level engineering students (in particular within chemical engineering but all engineering students are welcome). Taking a starting point in the role of industry and technology in socioeconomic development, environmental pollution and resource depletion, it aims at providing tools for identifying needs for change and pathways forward, in industry and technology (in particular in process industry and chemical industry). Concepts and tools that will be covered include, but are not limited to: Anthropocene; Earth system; Planetary boundaries; Sustainable development goals; Precautionary principle; Industrial ecology; Green chemistry; Life cycle perspective; Human well-being; Environmental worldview; Stakeholders; Holistic approaches;Wicked problems; Futures thinking

Organisation

The course design is built on active student participation and engagement with the topics. The course offers learning opportunities through a variety of different activities. In exercises and lectures, students are encouraged to share their own experiences with the rest of the class and with the teachers. The multi-cultural environment in the class with students from all over the world and from different engineering specializations is regarded as an asset.

Tools that are practiced include:
  • Different sets of sustainability principles
  • Stakeholder analysis
  • Multicriteria analysis
  • Backcasting with scenario planning

The course also includes experiences of using skills from earlier courses, e.g.
  • Oral and written presentation
  • Working in team
  • Project work

Literature

Dedicated texts (reports and papers).

Presentation files and other material from lectures and exercises.

Student project reports.

Examination including compulsory elements

50% of the total points may be collected from the written examination and 50% from participation and performance in different other activities.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.