IRMGR40724 Adapting Technology to Circular Economy (Autumn 2024)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Compulsory course in the Master`s programme in Green Energy Technology

Lecture Semester

1th semester (autumn).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge:

The student

• understands the background and consequences of the UN sustainability goals

• understands how social sustainability may impact social issues both nationally and internationally

• has knowledge of the EU strategy on Circular Economy

• has a theoretical knowledge on how to achieve optimal resource efficiency in a closed material loop

• has basic knowledge in writing as an engineer and reporting on a business level

• has basic knowledge of methods related to innovation and how to use these methods when working towards optimal resource efficiency in closed material loops.

• Has knowledge of  the status of circularity in various communities and industries nationally and internationally
• Has basic knowledge of how digitalization and AI can support circular material flows.

 

Skills:

The student

• can perform an ethical analysis of possible consequences of material supply-chains in regard to the UN sustainability goals

• can analyze the business potential in identified possible improvements in the closed material loops

• can lead innovation workshop with an industry partner on closed circuit technology and possibilities suggested in reports

• has basic skills in writing as an engineer and reporting on a business level
• can analyze the social and economic effects of improving circularity in various communities internationally
• can analyze the overall effects on sustainability of alternative shifts in technology and energy sources

 

General competence:

The student

• has a solid understanding on the challenges connected to resource scarcity on a global level

• shows good cooperative skills in group work situations

• can work in close interaction with an industrial partner, and understands their business and challenges

• has an overall understanding on the ethical challenges regarding possible conflict between short term busyness goals and possible long term consequences of the lifecycle of new and innovative solutions.

Content

The subject introduces the student to the principals outlined in EU priority on the translation to a circular economy, and how this will be a key framework factor for future business. The subject offers theoretical education on basic tools, but will mainly be focusing on the business-report to the industry-partner, and the process leading to this report.

Keyword for content:

• Adapting the UN sustainability goals in technology and business

• Ethical considerations regarding sustainability, utilization of hazardous substances, material supply-chains, and possible conflicts between short term busyness goals and possible long term consequences of the lifecycle of new and innovative solutions.

• Innovation tools

• Writing business reports

• The circular flow of resources, technical and biological, as an alternative to the take-make-waste economy

Forms of teaching and learning

• Lectures and guest speakers

• Literature-study

• Group work

• Workshop with group members and supervisor

• Case studies with industry partner

Workload

150 hours

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• Approved pre-versions of business reports

• 4-5 small project assignments, individual or groups 

Examination

This exam consists of two parts:

Part 1: Group (max. 5 students) report from project assignment. Counts 50% of the final grade

Part 2: Individual oral examination, 30 minutes. Counts 50% of the final grade.

Grades from A to F, where A is the best grade, E is the lowest passed grade, and F is failed

Examiners

One internal and one external examiner, or two internals

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

If the project report is graded as failed, the student will be given one more chance to improve the report.

If the student fails the oral exam, they can re-take this exam.  A resit will be arranged in January/February the following semester. 

Course evaluation

The course will be evaluated by a standardized electronic form.

Literature

The reading list will be published in Leganto.