Industrial Ecology, Master's Thesis

This course is the Master thesis in the field of Industrial Ecology at the Department Energy and Process Engineering. Students choose and design tasks and aims in collaboration with the teacher, and, if relevant, in agreement with co-supervisors at NTNU or external partners.

Industrial ecology concerns the interaction of anthropogenic and natural systems and how they are influenced by technology, society and human factors. It considers flows of material and energy in industrial and consumer activity, and the effects they have on environment, human health and future resource availability. Systems analysis methods in industrial ecology include life-cycle assessment, material flow analysis, input-output analysis, systems engineering, cost-benefit analysis, risk analysis or related techniques.

The thesis applies industrial ecology methods to one or several of the following topics:

• Ecosystems and bioresources
• Circular economy and resource efficiency
• Energy, transport and built environment
• Sustainable production and consumption systems

Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, the student shall have:

• In-depth knowledge of relevant theories, methods, and the research front within industrial ecology and sustainability transitions.
• Insight into scientific and ethical issues related to their own field of research.
• Understanding of how industrial ecology can be applied to analyze and address complex societal and environmental challenges.

Skills

The student shall be able to:

• Identify, formulate, and delimit a research question within industrial ecology.
• Plan and carry out an independent research project, including data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Critically assess and apply methods from industrial ecology and related disciplines.
• Discuss and interpret research results in relation to existing theory and empirical evidence.
• Present their work according to scientific standards, both in writing and orally.

General Competence

The student shall:

• Demonstrate independent, analytical, and critical thinking in addressing research and societal challenges.
• Work systematically and reflectively throughout stages of a research process.
• Communicate research results to different audiences, including academic peers, decision-makers, and the general public.
• Contribute to the field of industrial ecology through research and collaboration.

Coursework in the master thesis includes independent research with supervision, scientific writing and oral presentation. Course deliverables are the written thesis report and an oral presentation.