Industrial Ecology

Industrial ecology is the study of materials and energy flows i product systems and society, the environmental impacts of these flows, and the influence of technology and socio-economic factors. This course introduces strategies for and methods for quantitative analysis and implementation of industrial ecology, in four parts. Part A defines industrial ecology and presents the material and energy turnover in society. Part B presents the theoretical foundation for industrial ecology, including systems theory, thermodynamics and biology/ecology, and design principles in industrial ecology. Part C gives a thorough introduction to quantitative analytical methods, such as material flows analysis, risk assessment, energy and exergy analysis, life cycle analysis, input-output analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and eco-efficiency analysis. Part D covers problems and methods when implementing industrial ecology in policy, and in private and public sectors. Exercise and work in groups are shaped in such a way that students get training in processing contents from lectures, and to understand theory and methods applied to practical problems in industry and society.

Knowledge
Students shall have knowledge about: i) Main industrial ecology life-cycle and systems approaches to meet important environmental challenges in industry and society, ii) Relevant analytical methods for evaluation of environmental and economic performance in technological systems and improvement possibilities, and iii) Theoretical foundations for such methods.

Skills
Students shall develop skills in order to be able to: i) explain main aspects material and energy flows in society and related environmental impacts; ii) Explain (simplified) theory and methodology for material flow analysis, energy analysis, environmental risk analysis, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing and input-output analysis; iii) Understand how such methods can be used to improve eco-efficiency of technological systems, and reflect on the differences, strengths and weaknesses of the methods, iv) Outline simple models, carry out simple calculations and interpret results from such analyses, with examples from selected technological systems (industrial production, energy use, waste management, buildings and infrastructure); and v) Explain requirements for successful implementation in practice.

General competence
Students shall acquire a general competence as follows: Students shall: i) Understand the importance of systems thinking for the analysis and improvement of sustainability in technological systems; ii) Be able to communicate with specialists and decision makers with respect to use of industrial ecology approaches in practice; iii) Acquire a good scientific basis for later selection of more specialized courses in industrial ecology, and to include such theory and methodology in a good way in future project and master thesis work.

Lectures, seminars and project work in interdisciplinary groups. The course is taught in English. 70 % of the final grade is from individual exam, and 30 % from group work. In addition, other exercise work has to be approved, according to given rules. Postponed/repeated exams may be oral.