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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
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:
