Course content

The course introduces applied concepts and tools for sustainability in engineering. Increased resource utilization and circular economy, improved environmental and climate performance, and a social and fair development of society are core goals for sustainable engineering. The course introduces different concept for sustainability and their relation to society, environment and technology in three main parts:

Main concepts within sustainability and sustainable engineering, including perspectives on sustainable development, industrial symbiosis and circular economy, and sustainability in light of societal factors such as business, science, technology, culture and economy.

Computational methods for sustainability in a life cycle and systems perspective, with introduction of theory and methods for life cycle assessment (LCA), material flow analysis (MFA), energy analysis, footprint methods, and environmental economics.

Scenario models and mitigation on societal level, with main emphasis on built environment, climate and energy use.

Examples in teaching apply a life cycle perspective to product-service systems and production-consumption systems. Course assignments and group work allow training in application and interpretation of methods for sustainable engineering.

Lectures and assignments are in Norwegian.

The Norwegian course description is the man guide for the course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge to:

i) describe principles for sustainability and sustainable development and discuss general concepts for improved sustainability in engineering considering environmental, technological and societal goals.

ii) explain methods for sustainability evaluation of technology in a life cycle and systems perspective and their application for analysis and comparison of engineering solutions.

Skills to:

i) define life cycle and system of analysis for sustainability assessment.

ii) outline and conduct simplified analytical computations for environmental sustainability performance on life-cycle and systems level, using methods of life-cycle assessment (LCA), material flow analysis (MFA), energy analysis, footprint analysis, and economic analysis.

iii) derive and explain indicators for environmental, material and energy efficiency in a life cycle and systems perspective.

General competence to;

i) understand and describe results from environmental sustainability analysis and apply sustainability analysis in own work as an engineering.

ii) identify and discuss ethical considerations in engineering and goals for environmental and resource efficiency, economic and social development.

Learning methods and activities

The course is offered as a series of modules with tutored assignments and active student learning. The course timetable consists of 2 hours per week with student learning activity (2F) and 2 hours per week of tutoring for assignments (2Ø). Emphasis is on active learning through practical assignments, consisting of individual and group assignments.

The complete list of compulsory assignments is made available at the beginning of the course period. All assignments must be completed for access to final exams.

All course assignments are in Norwegian.

Compulsory assignments

• Oblig

Recommended previous knowledge

The course involves computations and prior knowledge in maths is useful, especially linear algebra. Calculations are conducted by programming in Python. No other prior knowledge is required. Lectures and assignments are in Norwegian.

Course materials

The course makes use of the book by Bhavik R. Bakshi: Sustainable Engineering - Principles and Practice. Cambridge University Press, 2019. Other reading includes notes and scientific articles. A complete list is issued at course start.