Course content

The course provides an introduction into resource and waste management on various scales. Application areas include the four activities (to nourish, to clean, to transport and to communicate, and to reside and to work).

The course has a strong focus on methodology, in which the students become familiar with system definition, selection of indicator elements, mathematical modeling, data handling, dealing with uncertainties, and the application of various software tools used in MFA.

In the exercises, the students apply these methods in practical case studies.

The course might be offered in cooperation with other universities in Europe in the form of an intensive course. In this case, the course location might be in another European city.

Learning outcome

The student shall gain a broad overview of the field of resource and waste management, which allows them to become familiar with literature and methods, to apply these methods and concepts in practical case studies, and to select software tools best suited for specific tasks.

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of a combination of lectures, exercises, and seminars. The students will apply the methods learned in topics relevant to their own PhD thesis. The course language is English. If few students take the course, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Master level degree in environmental engineering, industrial ecology or similar areas.

Required previous knowledge

No previous knowledge required.

Course materials

The course material includes:
- Practical Handbook of Material Flow Analysis (Brunner & Rechberger, 2004)
- Scientific articles and reports related to the topics analyzed