Sustainable Engineering course

This is a 12 week (6h/week), 6 ECT, BSc/MSc level course. The course is composed of three parts: i) theoretical lectures about environmental engineering, ii) numerical and research exercises and iii) student project development. Students are expected to develop an environmental engineering project aiming at reducing the ecological footprint and enhancing the UN sustainability goals.

 

Optionally, students can develop a research plan on an environmental engineering topic for a potential future MSc-thesis within this course. Joint MSc topics established with national and international partners are available and encouraged.

 

Learning outcomes

 

Learning outcome

Assessment

Weight (%)

LO1

Estimate the impact on UN SDGs of an engineering project

Students are asked to present and write a report on a sustainable engineering topic related to the 17 UN SDGs (the presentation will be graded, and the final report will be graded)

25+25

Total: 50

LO2

Discuss real-life case engineering projects in a realistic setting

Role Play: students are asked to prepare the argument of a stakeholder group regarding a real-life development project

10*

LO3

Report on environmental concerns in an academic-style format

W2: Students are asked to write an abstract about an environmental concern of their interest using scientific referencing

6.25

LO4

Calculate energy units in current demographic settings

W3: students are asked to do simple efficiency calculations and energy demand calculations

6.25

LO5

Apply models and concepts in sustainable water management

W4: students are asked to simulate snowmelt for the next three days and relate it to hydropower and skiing resort management

6.25

LO6

Calculate risks and LCA for simple everyday products

W5: students are asked to do simple risk calculations and life cycle calculations

6.25

LO7

Apply the concept of energy systems to small communities

W6: students are asked to design their example of an energy system

6.25

LO8

Explain the impacts of environmental laws on Engineering

W8: students are asked to describe one example of an environmental law.

6.25

LO9

Explain the limitations of natural resources for engineering

W9: students are asked to calculate the availability of limited resources

6.25

LO10

Explain the concepts of sustainable design in engineering

W10: students are asked to describe how design can impact the sustainability of a product, energy system, or process

6.25

 

 

 

100

 

 

Content of the course

It's important to note that the specific learning outcomes can vary from year to year, as the course emphasizes current developments addressing sustainable development. The following list of learning outcomes summarizes the key objectives of the course:

  • Understanding Sustainability Principles: Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and concepts related to sustainability, including the triple bottom line (social, environmental, economic), life cycle assessment, sustainable development goals, and the importance of balancing human needs with environmental protection.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment: Students will learn to assess the environmental impact of engineering projects, processes, and technologies. This includes evaluating factors such as resource consumption, pollution generation, and ecological footprint.
  • Renewable Energy Systems: Students will study various renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, etc.), their technological aspects, feasibility, and integration into the energy grid to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Resource Management: Learners will explore techniques for managing finite resources, including efficient use of raw materials, water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling strategies.
  • Green Building and Infrastructure: Students will delve into sustainable construction and infrastructure practices, including green building design, energy-efficient materials, and low-impact construction techniques.
  • Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: The course may cover strategies for mitigating climate change through engineering solutions, as well as adapting to the effects of climate change on infrastructure and communities.
  • Ethics and Social Responsibility: Students will examine the ethical considerations and social responsibilities associated with engineering decisions, considering the well-being of communities, equity, and environmental justice.
  • Systems Thinking: The course might emphasize systems thinking, encouraging students to analyze the interconnectedness of various components within engineering projects and their broader impacts.
  • Policy and Regulations: Learners may gain insight into policies, regulations, and international agreements related to sustainable engineering, and how these frameworks shape engineering practices.
  • Case Studies and Real-World Applications: The course could include case studies of successful sustainable engineering projects, providing practical insights into implementing sustainable solutions in real-world contexts.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Students might develop skills in working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and effectively communicating complex sustainability concepts to various stakeholders.
  • Innovation and Problem-Solving: The course may foster innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, encouraging students to develop creative engineering solutions that address sustainability challenges.
  • Assessment Tools and Metrics: Students may learn to use various tools and metrics to quantify and evaluate the sustainability performance of engineering projects, facilitating informed decision-making.

See below day 1 of the 2021 course: