course-details-portlet

EP8114

Industrial Ecology Research Seminar

Credits 7.5
Level Doctoral degree level
Course start Autumn 2010
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Examination arrangement Oral examination and Work

About

About the course

Course content

The course focuses on the intellectual framework, content and history of industrial ecology and examines the methods through cases.
Industrial Ecology arises more out of an urge to ‘solve’ the environmental problem than out of intellectual curiosity and is hence closer to practical disciplines like engineering, management or medicine than to curiosity-driven natural or social science. We examine how the environmental problem is described and conceived of in IE and compare this to other, sometimes related disciplines and paradigms. Notions of pollution, residuals, resource scarcity, ecosystems, earth system science and Spaceship Earth are examined. As problem description and diagnosis often implicitly or explicitly related to solution strategies, we examine strategies to solving the environmental challenge.
Scope, objects and methods of industrial ecology study and practice: What is the current state of the art of industrial ecology research and practice? Overview and classification. Subfields like life-cycle assessment, material flow analysis and industrial symbiosis studies are examined, as well as approaches loaned from the social sciences and mathematical modeling approaches. Part of the material is covered by student group work and presentations.

Learning outcome

Understand the character, scope, and research approaches in industrial ecology, including research methods and techniques. Be able to place the intellectual contribution of a piece of research.

Learning methods and activities

Mandatory attendance of the weekly seminar, as well as seminars and discussion. Mandatory reading and presentation of scientific articles. Students need to deliver a paper relevant to the focus of the course.

Compulsory assignments

  • Seminar

Required previous knowledge

Admission to the PhD program

Course materials

To be announced.

Subject areas

  • Industrial Ecology
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

  • Edgar Hertwich

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Energy and Process Engineering

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Oral examination and Work
Grade: Letters

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2010

Arbeider
Weighting 50/100
Muntlig eksamen
Weighting 50/100 Date 2010-12-02 Duration 1 timer

Ordinary examination - Spring 2011

Arbeider
Weighting 50/100
Muntlig eksamen
Weighting 50/100 Date 2011-05-23 Duration 1 timer

All about examinations at NTNU