Course syllabus for Towards sustainable shipping

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-01 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameMot en hållbar sjöfart
  • CodeSJO851
  • Credits15 Credits
  • OwnerMPMAR
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyShipping and Marine Technology
  • ThemeEnvironment 15 c
  • DepartmentMECHANICS AND MARITIME SCIENCES
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 01113
  • Maximum participants30 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0117 Examination, part A 7.5 c
Grading: TH
3 c4.5 c
  • 13 Jan 2025 pm L
  • 15 Apr 2025 pm L
  • 29 Aug 2025 pm L
0217 Written and oral assignments, part B 4 c
Grading: TH
2.5 c1.5 c
0317 Examples class, part C 3.5 c
Grading: UG
2 c1.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Go to coursepage (Opens in new tab)

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

None.

Aim

The course aim is to inspire and stimulate the student into reflecting on how she or he can contribute to a sustainable development. The course will enable the students to act as change agents in their future work, be it within a company, authority, organisation or as a researcher.

To meet this aim, the course gives basic understanding for the term "sustainable development", as well as knowledge about use of natural resources and ecosystem services. The course highlights the relation between shipping and the natural environment. The basic understanding for the environmental problems related to maritime activities, such as emissions to sea and air, and other sustainability issues related to transport activities are presented, and it puts emphasis on how environmental impacts from shipping can be reduced. The course will promote a personal commitment regarding sustainability issues and to give the student the knowledge and tools needed to tackle complex sustainability problems in their future career.

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

Knowledge and comprehension
- explain the interrelation between shipping and the natural environment
- describe tools for decision support relating to environmental issues
- account for the definition of "sustainable development" and its implications on shipping and society
-demonstrate understanding of good energy management practices in shipping companies
Application
- discuss and communicate environmental boundary conditions for shipping
- plan and organize projects
- apply systems perspective to identify challenges with transition towards sustainable shipping
- discuss recent research literature within the field

Content

The course will cover a broad range of topics in maritime environment and environmental/energy management. The lectures will be organized around three main themes: the relation between shipping and the natural environment and on how impacts can be reduced, environmental regulations for shipping and environmental/energy management aspects in shipping.
The content in the course couples to the UN Sustainability goals
13 Climate action
14 Life below water
15 Life on land

Organisation

The course consists of lectures, group and class discussions around case studies and exercises, group assignments and written exams. Projects will be conducted together with companies.

Literature

- Shipping and the Environment - Improving Environmental Performance in Marine Transportation (2016). Andersson, Brynolf and Lindgren editors. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg

- Litterature and material published on the course web page

Examination including compulsory elements

Part A is examined with written part time exams and home assignements, graded "fail", 3, 4 or 5

Part B is examined with presentation of  a written report and an oral presentation, graded "fail", 3, 4 or 5

Part C is examined with mandatory seminars and is graded "passed" or "fail"

For a final grade on the course the minimum grade passed on all parts is required. The final grade of the course is a weighted combination of the grades from Part A and B


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.