Environmental Decision Tools

Code:

EA0031

Acronym:

DA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Environmental Technologies
OFICIAL	Environmental Management
OFICIAL	Interp/Personal professional attitudes and capac.

Instance: 2008/2009 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Metallurgy Section
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Environmental Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEA	35	Syllabus since 2006/07	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The course aims at providing knowledge on environmental systems analysis tools currently used to support decision making. The students are able to:

- identify the tools used currently;
- describe the tools' basic characteristics;
- select tools from a toolbox;
- apply the tools on environmental integrated assessment.

Program

The course starts with a general introduction in which the currently used environmental systems analysis tools are presented. Next, the different contexts for environmental decision making are introduced and the diverse types of tools overviewed. The toolbox includes the following tools and techniques: life cycle assessment, environmental performance indicators, scenario analysis, multi-criteria analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, substance flow analysis, materials flow analysis and sensitivity analysis.
Finally, a case study will give more insight in the use of environmental systems analysis tools.

Mandatory literature

Wrisberg, Nicoline 340; Analytical tools for environmental design and management in a systems perspective. ISBN: 0-4020-0626-8
Finnveden, G., Moberg, A., 2005. Environmental systems analysis tools an overview. Journal of Cleaner Production 13 1165-1173.
Baumann, Henrikke; The hitch hiker.s guide to LCA. ISBN: 91-44-02364-2
Williams E. Rees, Mathis Wackernagel, Phil Testemale; Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth , New Society Publishers , 1998. ISBN: 978-0865713123

Complementary Bibliography

• ISO 14040 (2006): Environmental management – Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and Framework., ISO, 2006
Sistemas de gestão ambiental. Requisitos e linhas de orientação para a sua utilização.; NP EN ISO 14001: 2004, Instituto Português da Qualidade, 2004

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and seminars by guest speakers and several student (group)assignments.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	52,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

The students must have a mark (equal to or, higher than, 8 in 20) in the exam.
The students must have a mark (equal to or, higher than, 8 in 20) in each group assignment.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam - 50%.
Group assignments - 50% .

Examinations or Special Assignments

Imply an examination (final exam).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Imply an examination (final exam).

Classification improvement

Applicable to the final exam and not to the group assignments.

Observations

Not applicable.