Industrial Ecology and Quality Management

Instance: 2017/2018 - 2S

Cycles of Study/Courses

Last updated on 2018-02-05.

Fields changed: Learning outcomes and competences, Métodos de ensino e atividades de aprendizagem, Fórmula de cálculo da classificação final, Componentes de Avaliação e Ocupação, Avaliação especial, Obtenção de frequência, Observações, Provas e trabalhos especiais

Teaching language

Objectives

• Background The environmental engineer is required to be able to respond to the need for sustainable processes and products used in the society. Industrial ecology is the study of the flows of resources in the technological environment, and the asessment that these have in the natural environment. Industrial Ecology studies the influences of economic, political, regulatory, and social factors on the flow, use, and transformation of resources (White, 1994). The recognition of concepts underlining this concept is an essential skill of the environmental engineer.

• Specific aims Knowledge in concepts underlining the Industrial Ecology course as Cleaner Production, Life Cycle Management, EcoDesign, Integrated Waste Management, Eco-industrial parks) and Sustainable consumption and Production.

These concepts/tools when applied individually or in combination are important for a detailed knowledge of the environmental systems and to identify solutions for the environmental problems. Students acquire knowledge in environmental sciences, and in the current practices and activities that cause environmental problems. Students at the end are capable of using the knowledge in the formulation, resolution and discussion of problems. Acquire a sound knowledge in the area of training and be capable of using it in the design of solutions, forecast and prevention of those problems, including counterproductive effects.

Other aims include, the analysis with uncertainty, the solution and recommendation, the hypothesis formulation, systems thinking and the holistical approach is trained, prioritization and focus tradeoffs, judgment and balance in resolution. Develop personal and interrelationship skills through group assignments, reporting and presentations in oral communications.

Learning outcomes and competences

• Learning outcomes: Students at the end shall be able to: i) acquire management skills and be capable of using them in the design, implementation and operation of environmental systems. ii) recognize and compare the specificities of the different concepts and are able to applied them in order to systems analysis. iii) recognize different concept being used to assess and promote sustainability with a strong emphases in the environment pillar.

Analysis of the European Commission Circular Economy package in the light of the concept of Industrial Ecology.

Working method

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

• Previous knowledge Basic courses in environmental management of air pollution, water pollution and wastes management and natural resources conservation. Also in decision methods and in the environmental tools for aiding decision making.

Program

Concept, strategies and tools of industrial ecology:

- Cleaner production;

- Life Cycle Management;

- EcoDesign;

- Integrated waste management;

- Eco-industrial parks;

- Sustainable production and consumption;

- Circular economy.

Mandatory literature

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical classes (tutorials): Presentation of course unit topics, supported, whenever possible, by the identification of real situations related to the environment problems or examples of application of the concept of Industrial Ecology to case studies.

Assignments: Compulsory writing of small reports in the format of research or review papers concerning the course unit topics, along with oral presentations.

Sessions with guest speakers and visits to companies (dates to be defined).

keywords

Evaluation Type

Assessment Components

Eligibility for exams

To be admitted to exams, students have to obligatorily:

- reach a minimum average grade of 8 out of 20 in the continuous assessment component (final exam).

- Elaborate reports concerning the program topics along with oral presentation. The mark in report has to be equal or higher than 8 out of 20 points.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade (FG) will be based on the following formula (FG=0.4*FG1+0.6*FG2).

FG1: Exam

FG2: practical component (reports plus oral presentation)

Examinations or Special Assignments

The assessment at the special evaluation period is carried out by doing a final exam and two reports. The final exam will cover the course unit themes and the final grade need to be equal or higher than 8 points out of 20.

The assignments format have to be articles, in nthe format of - a review paper – critical review of the topics of the program based on a bibliography research, or a - research paper – oriented to the application of the course unit themes in a current situation. the final mark in each assignment has to be equal or higher than 8 points out of 20.

Final Grade (FG) will based on the following formula (FG=0.4*exam + 0.6*assignment). In order to improve their grades, students have to attend a final exam and they can only improve the grade of the exam.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The assessment at the special evaluation period is carried out by doing a final exam and two reports. The final exam will cover the course unit themes and the final grade need to be equal or higher tah 8 points out of 20.

The assignments format have to be articles, in the format of - a review paper – critical review of the topics of the program based on a bibliography research, or a - research paper – oriented to the application of the course unit themes in a current situation. the final mark in each assignment has to be equal or higher the 8 points out of 20.

 Final Grade (FG) will based on the following formula (FG=0.4*exam + 0.6*assignment). In order to improve their grades, students have to attend a final exam and they can only improve the grade of the exam.

Classification improvement

In order to improve their grades, students can only do it by redoing the final examination. They cannot improve the grade in the continuous evaluation component (reports and presentations).

Observations

Report delivers and presentations:

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(Assignment ) (Research paper/ Review paper): chosen between following topics: the Life Cycle Management/ EcoDesign / Integrated Waste Management/ Eco-Industrial parks/ Sustainable production and Consumption /Circular Economy

to be defined: Oral presentation of the assignment to be defined by the group of students