Course - Sustainable Systems Engineering - TPK4185
Sustainable Systems Engineering
About
About the course
Course content
The course presents a framework based on the systems engineering process to be used for planning, analyzing, and design of more sustainable systems. It provides a fundamental introduction to the technical and project management skills expected by a systems engineer throughout the system development lifecycle, from the initial concept phase to disposal. Major topics in the course are: sustainable development and the UN SDGs, systems thinking, problem definition, identification and balancing of stakeholder needs, requirement analysis and specification, performance indicators, systems life cycle processes, risk management, verification and system integration.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
By the end of this course, the student will be able to…
- Describe fundamental concepts and principles of systems engineering.
- Identify dilemmas, trade-offs and opportunities related to, and system changes necessary for, sustainable development.
- Explain how systems engineering concepts and principles contributes to sustainability problem solving.
Skills:
By the end of this course, the student will be able to…
- Identify stakeholders and their needs, ensuring that the needs of all relevant parties are considered in the development.
- Choose and apply appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative methods to problem solving analysis.
- Find points of integrations in socio-technical systems design.
General competence:
By the end of this course, the student will be able to…
- Work effectively in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams to address sustainability challenges, leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise.
- Apply systems thinking skills to socio-technical wicked problems.
- Reflect on one’s own role in the local community and global society.
Learning methods and activities
The learning activities in this course consist of a combination of lectures, exercises, workshops, and project work. Students will participate in weekly workshops where relevant theory is discussed and applied in practice through collaboration in transdisciplinary and multicultural teams. To maximize the benefits of these workshops, students are expected to have reviewed the preparatory materials beforehand. This material will typically include lecture videos, exercises, and/or relevant reading material. Attendance at these workshops is mandatory. The course is taught in English.
Further on evaluation
Mandatory exercises and group project are the basis for the grade in the course. The course assessment is assigned a letter grade according to the university grading scale.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is expected that the student is pursuing an education in an engineering discipline.
Course materials
Will be given at the beginning of the semester.
Subject areas
- Computer and Information Science
- Manufacturing Systems
- Design Methodology
- Industrial Ecology
- Production and Quality Engineering
- Information Systems
- Industrial Economics
- Building Science
- Technological subjects